Celebrating Tree Diversity Day - an interview with Judy Loo

Judy Loo, Theme Leader for Forest Genetic Resources Programme at Bioversity International, (featured here on COP11 TV), finds time for a chat on Tree Diversity Day at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

What are you currently working on at Bioversity International?

Everything we do relates to the use and conservation of biodiversity. I work at the genetics level on tree diversity as part of our Forest and Trees Programme, and for the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry.

I’m supervising several projects in Asia and Africa. In the Niassa National Wildlife Reserve in Mozambique, for example, we are studying the different ways in which people are using trees, such as for timber, food or medicine, and helping to identify ways that they can maintain livelihoods without jeopardizing tree resources for the future  for people and wildlife.

Through another Bioversity International project we are developing a system, using DNA and stable isotopes, to track illegally logged timber. We’re bringing together researchers who are working on different tree species, collating the information that already exists, and developing standards for analysis and lab operations. Our aim is to develop a global timber-tracking network and database that can be used by accredited labs worldwide.

What upcoming research publications are you working on?

My team has been working closely with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on their first ever State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources report. Bioversity International has contributed background thematic studies and facilitated regional meetings to bring together country representatives who are providing the information. This report will lead to a global plan of action for conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources. We are writing a series of articles on the basis of the thematic studies for publication as a special issue of a scientific journal.

Another upcoming article is on cacao and genetic diversity, 'Present spatial diversity patterns of Theobroma cacao L. in the Neotropics reflect genetic differentiation in Pleistocene refugia followed by human-influenced dispersal' with Evert Thomas, at our Cali office as lead author.  The paper is connected with the MAPFORGEN project, which I presented at Tree Diversity Day here in Hyderabad.

What outcome are you hoping for from Tree Diversity Day?

We’re all hoping for greater awareness and recognition of the importance of trees in biodiversity. There are between 80,000-100,000 tree species in the world today. Trees are a substantial piece of biodiversity in their own right, but they harbour, protect and maintain much more  biodiversity. Birds, animals, fungi and insects - a whole array of species is dependent on trees.

When people think of biodiversity, they tend to think of tigers and other major fauna. We want to get people thinking about the mega flora as well, and the importance of trees in maintaining all levels of fauna.

Personally, I’m also interested in raising awareness of diversity within species. I was pleased to hear Oudara Souvannavong from FAO talk about the importance of and the role of genetic diversity. That is something that we are concerned about at Bioversity International. Tree Diversity Day provides with an opportunity to voice this concern.

What other side events have you attended during COP 11?

I was at a side event on Livelihoods, where some exciting ideas for combining biodiversity and livelihoods were exchanged. Trees and tree planting programmes featured strongly in each of the presentations and the point was made that projects must always start by listening to local people.

In light of the CBD - what would you like to see policymakers take action on?

There has been a lot of focus on access and benefit sharing, and funding mechanisms, which are important, but it has led us away from some of the conservation issues that are also important. I would like events like the side events at COP11 to highlight the importance of getting our feet back on the ground, closer to what biodiversity is all about.

I think it all really comes down to economics and people’s interest in short-term gains (quite often a legitimate interest). The theme at COP 11, an on-going theme in the field of biodiversity, is that we have to get better at linking people’s livelihoods to conservation. This means finding ways of conserving and using more effectively and more convincingly at the same time.

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Further reports from our scientists over in Hyderabad here.

Interview by guest blogger Kara Brown.