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.