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Authors and Institutional Affiliations

Promoting the Use of Biodiversity Information Standards: Potential Key Role by a Consortium of Research Institutions in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Central Africa. Authors and Institutional Affiliations.

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Authors and Institutional Affiliations

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  1. Promoting the Use of Biodiversity Information Standards: Potential Key Role by a Consortium of Research Institutions in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Central Africa

  2. Authors and Institutional Affiliations • Charles Kahindo1, Dudu Akaibe2, Upoki Agenong’a 2. Ulyel Ali-Pato2,Patricia Mergen3, Michel Louette3, Erik Verheyen4, Jérôme Degreef5 • 1Université Officielle de Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo • 2Université de Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo • 3 Royal Museum for Central Africa,,Tervuren, Belgium • 4 Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium • 5 National Botanical Garden, Meise, Domein van Bouchout, Meise, Belgium

  3. The DRC: Location in Africa • Former names: Belgian Congo, Congo-Kinshasa,Zaire • Located in Central Africa • Size: 2 345 000 km² • Population: 70 M

  4. Physical Features • 19 distinct ecosystems and natural regions • 47% of the continent's forest (125 M ha) • Congo Basin • Important rivers and lakes • Rich deposits of minerals

  5. The DRC: Biodiversity Areas • Seven National Parks, 6 in East • PAs: 9% • 4 World Heritage Sites in East • Rivers and Lakes • BD Hotspots

  6. Unique Species Richness • Mammals: 480 • Birds: 1117 • Fish: 1000 • Amphibians: 220 • Reptiles: 380 • Plants: 10 000

  7. DRC endemic species

  8. LEGISLATION AND CONVENTIONS • CBD, 1994 • CITES, 1976 • CMS, 1990 • UNCCD, 1997 • ACCNNR, 1976 • WHC, 1974

  9. Biodiversity Threats • Habitat Loss (conversion) and Degradation • Illegal Resource Exploitation • Exotic/Invasive Species • Climate Change

  10. Underlying Threats • Population growth • Limited expertise • Socio-economics • Funding limitations • Insecurity

  11. Facts about Kisangani University • Created in 1963 • Qualified and dedicated staff • Trained over 500 biologists from DRC and neighboring countries (Rwanda, Burundi, CAR, Congo-Brazzaville…) • Field Stations at Yangambi and Masako

  12. Primary forest Secondary forest Fallow lands and crops Kisangani city area Kisangani: Location

  13. Ongoing activities in Kisangani

  14. Research activities in Kisangani • Ecology (Birds, Small Mammals, Fish) • Taxonomy (Small Mammals, Fish, Invertebrates) • Hydrobiology • Botany: taxonomy, ecology, palynology, ethnobotany, Mycology • Facilities: LEGERA laboratory, Herbarium and Botanical Garden • Partners: RBINS, RMCA, KUL,NBGB, ULB, ULG, VLIR

  15. Facts about Yangambi Research Center • 100 km west of Kisangani • Historical plant collections for DRC • Prospective revitalization by NBGB

  16. Bukavu State University • Located southwest of lake Kivu near border with Rwanda • Training and research in Plant ecology and hydrobiology • Collaboration with local institutions

  17. Ongoing activities in Kivu • Biodiversity surveys • Capacity building • Environmental outreach • Database development • Contacts and collaboration in neighboring countries (Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda) • Partners: ULB,RMCA,WCS,FMNH,ULG, MUIENR, ARCOS

  18. Activities at CRH/Uvira

  19. Lwiro Research Centre

  20. Database Initiative at Lwiro • Initiated and supported by ARCOS through MacArthur Foundation Grant • National Data Center for the Albertine Rift Programme • Institutional support and capacity building • Data digitizing ongoing for plants, birds and mammals

  21. Partnerships in Belgium • Institutions: RMCA, RBINS, NBGB • Areas of collaboration: scientific guidance, joint field projects, institutional support (equipment, books), capacity development

  22. Opportunities for TDWG • Communication among scientists and institutions (national and regional levels) • Dedicated scientists • Ground work and local initiatives • Political will

  23. Needs • Capacities and skills for applying TDWG standards • Improve quality work and data standards • Training and institutional support • Facilitation for more fieldwork

  24. Acknowledgments

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