The status of tree species identification in Suriname Sarah Crabbe (SBB) Tonka eiland, 01 October 2015

National institutions involved in tree species identification Foundation for forest management and production control National Herbarium of Suriname (BBS) Center for Agricultural Research Suriname JSOOC (training center) Established in 1998 as a vehicle towards a Full Fledged Forest Authority To promote sustainable and optimal utilization of all the forests in Suriname and in particular the forests designated for sustainable (timber) production, by applying the Forest Management Act (1992) and other relevant laws; National Herbarium of Suriname (BBS) Established in 1949 / 68 yrs , Part of the Ministry of Opbouw, now linked with the Adekus Mission: manages, conserves and increase the collections and disseminates the scientific botanical knowledge for national and international scientists, students and professors, through research, education and services to facilitate the academic community by indicating the multiple values of our plants Center for Agricultural Research Suriname (CELOS) Mission: multidisciplinary scientific research in the agrarian and forestry sector

The need for tree species identification within SFM Design of the NFI Sampling Unit (above) & Principal Sample Plot (left) NFI & FCA plot locations covered by aerial images Overview of pre-harvest inventory Exploration Inventories Information on tree species occurrence, forest-stock, forest-types, (non)productive areas, etc. on concession level Exploration Inventory design for Dennebos Suriname NV Pre-Harvest Inventories Information on commercial timber-stock within 100ha cutting units Identification of harvested logs Based on cutting registers National Forest Inventory (NFI) Multipurpose, national forest related data Part of a MRV, for SFM (including scientific validation) Close up of pre-harvest inventory with tree-locations & felling selections Research plots Checklists, impact of human activities, biodiversity (including scientific validation)

The need for tree species identification within SFM NFI & FCA plot locations covered by aerial images All commercial and some potential tree species (total 340) have a corresponding three letter code, stored in the SBB-database (LogPro)

The need for tree species identification within SFM NFI & FCA plot locations covered by aerial images All commercial and some potential tree species (total 340) have a corresponding three letter code, stored in the SBB-database (LogPro)

The need for tree species identification within SFM NFI & FCA plot locations covered by aerial images Lesser known species need to be promoted

The need for tree species identification within SFM NFI & FCA plot locations covered by aerial images

Knowledge on tree species Other national capacities Private Sector: Greenheart, Dennebos, contractors etc. NGO’s: e.g. ACT, WWF, Tropenbos International, etc Indigenous and maroons communities (traditional knowledge) Individuals: Frits van Troon, David Abiamofo, Comvalius, Pieter Teunissen Shortage of botanists NFI & FCA plot locations covered by aerial images Tree spotters Other experts SBB - 4-11 Senior tree spotters - 15 junior tree spotters CELOS 1 senior tree spotter 2 junior tree spotter - 2 experts with experience with plant collection BBS 5 experts on plant identification experience with plant collection

Knowledge on tree species Transfer of knowledge to and between tree spotters: First large scale capacity building: FAO-inventories during the seventies Multiple trainings provided by the Training Center (JSOOC) Intensive training of large group of tree spotter (2006) funded by WWF Guianas Refreshment training in collaboration between SBB, BBS & CELOS and Frits van Troon (2012) funded by CBN-funds Internal training (SBB) provided to young tree spotters by more experienced tree spotters (2014) NFI & FCA plot locations covered by aerial images Need for a continuous training program on a regular basis (new and active tree spotters)

Challenges related to tree species identification Exploration Inventories Up-to-date list of marketable species (ongoing) Standardization between tree spotters Creation of functional groups (based on application) Pre-Harvest Inventories Identification of harvested logs Forestry inventories

The need for tree species identification within NFMS NFI & FCA plot locations covered by aerial images Within the REDD+ program Suriname is currently designing a National Forest Monitoring System National Forest Monitoring System Practical information for the users Data generation Local communities ETC… National and international community Governemental institutions Private sector Scientific and educational institutions NGO’s ….

The need for tree species identification within NFMS One of the crucial steps within the monitoring is measuring trees but also tree identification (reference and validation) NFI & FCA plot locations covered by aerial images

Tree species identification for NFI Design of the NFI Sampling Unit (above) & Principal Sample Plot (left) National Forest Inventory (NFI) Multipurpose, national forest related data Part of a MRV, for SFM (including scientific validation) Carbon, but also for : SFM Land use planning Biodiversity … Botanical inventory needed for: Biodiversity assessment Selection of allometric equations

Challenges related to tree species identification National Forest Inventory (NFI) Many-to-many relations vernacular and scientific species name Identification of small trees, sapplings and seedlings Identification of non-commercial trees species Collecting and identification of non-fertile specimens Transfer of knowledge between generation of tree spotters Collecting and processing of plant material during NFI Research plots Including botanical inventory

National needs Continuous training program for tree spotters Regular feedback between tree spotters and botanists (multiple times per year) Increased human capacity on plant collection and taxonomy Operational procedures for tree identification to scientific names Recognition of difficult groups Identification of plant families Strengthening of the herbarium (national/ local) Creation of up-to-date tree list (ongoing) More research needed of remote areas (new species) Checklists of plant species in different areas

Ideas for regional collaboration Exchange of tools, literature and training material Exchange of practical procedures for tree species identification Compose identification keys for the different plant families (taking into account the different languages) Keeping updated regional tree lists with common names (online database?) Explore options for the use of DNA-technology Stimulate regional research

Thank you! More information: www.sbbsur.com E-mail SBB: sbbsur@sr.net or sarah_crabbe@yahoo.com