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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

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

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

8. 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
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

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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 ….

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Thank you! More information: www.sbbsur.com E-mail SBB:or