What We do
Bioversity's project portfolio is delivered by fifteen Projects, aggregated into four Programmes and three Research and Support Units (RSUs):
Programme on Diversity for Livelihoods
Project Agricultural Biodiversity and Ecosystems (E01): During 2007 significant new research will be underway on the role of agricultural biodiversity in managing pests and diseases; a synthesis will be produced of on-farm research on the use of biodiversity to manage drought, salinity and cold stress; and a review will be undertaken of the potential of biodiversity in providing ecosystem services. Practices will also be identified which influence gene flow across the wild and cultivated interface.
Project Community Management of Agricultural Biodiversity (E02): Good practice for in situ conservation of temperate fruit species in Central Asia will be identified; and a GIS methodology will be developed for poverty in diversity-rich areas of tropical fruit tree species. Indicators will be developed for measuring the impact of participatory plant breeding.
Project Agricultural Biodiversity, Human Health and Welfare (E03): During 2007 a multi-stakeholder initiative on agricultural biodiversity and nutrition will be launched, and a review of the empirical evidence for such a link will be undertaken. Studies on the contribution to human nutrition, and to livelihoods of the poor, of agro-forestry and forestry species will be completed. Adding-value to products and gaining access to markets are two themes to also be pursued by the Project during 2007. A Global Strategy on Underutilized and Neglected Crops will be published.
Programme on Understanding and Managing Biodiversity
Project Conservation and Management of Agricultural Biodiversity (E04): A review paper on methods of assessing genetic erosion will be produced during 2007, and visits will be made to several sites of previous collecting missions to monitor any changes, in preparation for a major research thrust on the subject. The likely impacts of climate change on biodiversity will be reported.
Project Facilitating Use of Genetic Resources (E05): During 2007, methods will be developed for two fruit/nut species to identify traits associated with water use efficiency. Characterization, and participatory variety selection, of promising Cherimoya accessions will be undertaken in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Information on the use of molecular marker technologies for characterizing five species will be generated.
Project Conservation and Sustainable Use of Forest Genetic Diversity (E06): Research highlights during 2007 will include an assessment of the impacts of climate change on the distribution of socio-economically important forest species. New research will begin on the spatial distribution of Prunus africana in SSA, and on sustainable use of the shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) in Benin and Mali. Major research activities will commence in the Amazon, in collaboration with the Amazon Initiative consortium.
Project Biodiversity Informatics (E07): During 2007 a Knowledge Centre providing access to biodiversity informatics standards, methods and tools on-line will be launched. All CGIAR mandate crop descriptors will be available through the Knowledge Centre. A global accession-level clearing-house mechanism will provide access to at least two million samples on-line; and a Global Portal for information on crop wild relatives will be developed.
Programme on Improving Livelihoods in Commodity Based Systems
Project Conservation and Sustainable Use of Coconut and Other Commodities (E08): In 2007, a Global Conservation Strategy for coconut will be finalized; and a minimum descriptors list for morphometric characterization of conserved coconut germplasm will be produced. Work on cacao will include evaluation of cacao genetic resources for quality, and disease resistance; development of screening tests for diseases, and the establishment of a global network (CacaoNet). Surveys will be undertaken on the nutritional values, cooking methods and consumption of bananas and plantains.
Project Conserving, Understanding and Improving Musa Biodiversity (E09): During 2007, at least two new improved varieties will be introduced to the International Transit Collection; characterization, using molecular markers, of 750 accessions will be undertaken; and 500 will be sent for field verification. The Musa genomics portal will be integrated with the MGIS tool, which will in turn be linked to the Generation CP platform and to SINGER. An international collection of the pathogen Mycosphaerella will be initiated.
Project Use of Musa Biodiversity to Improve Livelihoods (E10): During 2007, investigations into root, plant and soil health will continue in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Research on rapid multiplication techniques will be made available in English, French and Spanish through a variety of media. Musa management approaches with coffee, and with improved fallows, will be also be studied.
Programme on Global Partnerships
Project Regional Collaborations for Sustainable Management of Agricultural and Forest Biodiversity (E11): During 2007, policies will be developed and adopted for the exchange of genetic materials not covered by the International Treaty on PGRFA. Regional meetings, and other collaborative activities, including the establishment of regional information and documentation platforms, will be facilitated.
Project Mobilizing International Partnerships to Use and Conserve Agricultural Biodiversity (E12): Highlights during 2007 will include compiling a CGIAR input to the First Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources; and providing, through SGRP, guidelines on best practice for managing genetic resources collections of key crops. At least two studies will be completed on conservation strategies or methods for livestock, aquatic, forest or microbial genetic resources. A new Global Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research will be operational.
Policy and Law RSU
Project Enabling Policy Environments for the Use and Conservation of Agricultural Biodiversity (E13): Highlights during 2007 include papers on farm animal, fish, and microbial genetic resources; international germplasm flows; the economic valuation of genetic resources; and patterns of acquisition and distribution of genetic resources by CGIAR Centres. Guidelines for CGIAR Centres will be prepared, and in conjunction with FAO, support will be provided to developing countries, for implementation of the International Treaty on PGRFA. A web-based policy information service will be established; and a help desk on technology transfer and intellectual property issues will be fully functioning.
Capacity Development RSU
Project Strengthening Human Capacity to Manage Agricultural Biodiversity (E14): During 2007, a platform will be established to facilitate agricultural biodiversity research partnerships between universities and research institutes. Such partnerships will be encouraged through a number of research fellowships, awards and internships.
Public Awareness RSU
Project Raising Awareness to Create Support for Agricultural Biodiversity (E15): During 2007, key messages from strategic new research thrusts, such as agricultural biodiversity and nutrition, crop wild relatives, and genetic erosion, will be promoted widely with the assistance of a global network of PA specialists and journalists.