The region where the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains meet the Amazonian lowlands harbors one of the greatest concentrations of biological diversity on Earth. Thousands of species and many complex tropical ecosystems exist along an altitudinal gradient from 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) in the Andes to 200 meters (650 feet) in the Amazonian lowlands. Vegetation varies with climate from grasslands and cloud forests at high elevation to rainforests, palm swamps, and tropical bogs in the lowlands. This region remains one of the last pristine sanctuaries of biological diversity in the world and is the focus of major conservation efforts as threats grow from human encroachment. To understand the rich biological diversity of the region and to ensure long-term conservation, the AABP team of BRIT and their collaborators are carrying out botanical and ecological inventories and investigations of plant-animal interactions in this region. The team is also dedicated to the education of a growing number of students from the United States and Peru, and the training of numerous local community members from the region. Through these scientific and educational activities, BRIT is contributing to conservation planning and management in the Andes-Amazon region of southeastern Peru.
A summary of the AABP at BRIT is provided here within the BRIT website. Please refer to the AABP website for more information about the history, progress, results, and future plans of the research program. BRIT Research Botanist Dr. John Janovec is the Director of the AABP.
Important partnerships have been developed between BRIT and other organizations in the United States and Peru. These partnerships are rooted in collaborative research projects that relate to biodiversity and conservation in the Andes-Amazon region of Peru. Several collaborations also relate to the ongoing research and development driving the production of the Atrium Biodiversity Information System.
Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales (INRENA)
Janovec and team appreciate the support of INRENA in all aspects of permission to carry out biodiversity and conservation research in the Andes-Amazon region of southeastern Peru. Permits for research, collection, and export of duplicate specimens have been renewed on an annual basis since 2001.
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru (PUCP)
Janovec and the BRIT team in Peru are collaborating with Dr. Helena Maruenda, professor in the Chemical Sciences Department of PUCP, on projects related to chemical analyses of plants of the Andes-Amazon region. The first major collaborative project with Dr. Maruenda involves ecological, chemical, and agricultural investigations of Vanilla orchids from wetland ecosystems of the Peruvian Amazon.
Universidad Agraria Nacional La Molina, Lima, Peru (UNALM)
The BRIT team in Peru is collaborating with Roberto Ugas and Saray Siura, professors of the Department of Agriculture, Program of Horticulture, at UNALM. In 2005-2006, Janovec, Renan Valega, and Jason Wells of the BRIT team refurbished a greenhouse that is now being used in studies focused on non-timber forest products of Madre de Dios, such as ornamental plants. During 2007, research on ornamental plants has continued and new collaborative projects have been started, with focus on vegetable and fruit production in the Peruvian Amazon. A project in development involves experimental propagation and cultivation of Vanilla orchids from the Peruvian Amazon, and their commercial relatives. Janovec serves as visiting professor at La Molina and advises undergraduate and graduate students.
Museo Nacional Mayor de Historia Natural San Marcos, Lima, Peru (USM)
Janovec and the BRIT team have been working closely with the herbarium and entomology laboratory at UNALM. They have deposited thousands of plant and moth specimens collected in the Andes-Amazon region of southeastern Peru. Students have been supported to process and manage the flow of specimens entering the museum and they have participated directly in ongoing projects in the field and museum. Key collaborators include Dr. Gerardo Lamas, director of the museum, Joaquina Alban, director of the herbarium, and Asunción Cano, former director of the herbarium and senior scientist at the museum. Miguel Chocce, USM graduate student, has been a member of the BRIT team since 2002, with focus on orchid diversity of the Andes-Amazon region and management of the specimen work in the herbarium.
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru (UC)
Mathias Tobler is working with Dr. Oswaldo Ramirez on the population genetics of tapirs in Madre de Dios. Dr. Armando Valdez and the Conservation Biology Unit is working with Janovec to integrate thousands of plant specimens collected during extensive botanical studies at the Nube biological station in the Bahuaja Sonene National Park and to make them available in Atrium.
Texas Christian University (TCU)
BRIT and the Texas Christian University (TCU) Environmental Science program in the College of Science and Engineering provide graduate-level education opportunities in biodiversity and environmental science. The first class of three M.S. students completed their projects in the spring and summer of 2007 and three students will complete their projects in the spring of 2008. Support and academic infrastructure is provided by TCU and innovative botanical and ecological research in the field and museum is provided by BRIT. The students are advised by John Janovec, BRIT research botanist and TCU adjunct faculty, as well as co-advisors at TCU. These students have played key roles in the Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Program, which will continue during 2007-2011 with support from the US National Science Foundation.
For additional information about the BRIT-TCU Partnership in Graduate Research and Education, contact Keri McNew (kmcnew@brit.org).
WWF AREAS Project
The BRIT team is working in collaboration with Dr. George Powell and the WWF Areas project to integrate studies of botanical diversity and vegetation ecology with investigations of mammal and bird distribution and ecology. Mathias Tobler of the BRIT team is a principal investigator in this collaboration and leads studies of the lowland tapir, as well as studies of large and medium sized mammals using camera trap surveys. Read more about the WWF Areas project at the following link: http://www.worldwildlife.org/action/areasproject/support.cfm.
Conservation International
During 2006-2007 BRIT has developed a collaboration with Dr. Bruce Beehler of Conservation International’s Melanesia Program. Collaborative projects relate to harnessing the tools and technology of BRIT’s Atrium Biodiversity Information System to develop the digital flora of New Guinea, following the model developed through Atrium in the Andes-Amazon region of southeastern Peru.
The development and progress of the AABP at BRIT would not have been possible without generous support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the US National Science Foundation, the Beneficia Foundation, Amazon Conservation Association, Conservation International, Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust, and private donations. We thank Texas Christian University for their collaboration and support of the TCU-BRIT graduate education program, which has involved six M.S. students who have carried out research in the Andes-Amazon region of southeastern Peru. We also thank the local community of Fort Worth, Texas, for their encouragement, enthusiasm, and support for the scientific, educational, technological, and conservation activities of the AABP team working at BRIT, in Texas, and through BRIT’s international branch, BRIT-Peru.
