BACKGROUND

In June 1992, a new Centre for the study of Biological Diversity opened in Guyana. This is the first biodiversity centre in South America and was the result of several years of negotiations and planning by the Smithsonian Institution’s Biological Diversity of the Guianas Program, the University of Guyana, and the World Wildlife Fund, with funds donated by the Royal Bank of Canada.
 
 
 
 

FUNCTION
 
 

This biodiversity centre is the repository for the Guyana National Herbarium and the University of Guyana’s Zoological Museum. The biodiversity centre contains specimens of plants and animals found in Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. More than 25,000 plant specimens are housed in the National Herbarium. The Zoological Museum contains species of invertebrates such as insects, butterflies and moths, and vertebrates such as fish, birds, snakes and other reptiles, frogs and other amphibians, and mammals.
 
 
 
 

PROGRAM AREAS
 
 

The biodiversity centre is dedicated to scientific research and documentation of Guyana’s biological heritage. Conservation of natural resources and improving public awareness about the nation’s biological wealth are also important goals of the biodiversity centre.
 
 

Four core program areas form the basis for activities at the biodiversity centre:

1) To curate, use and maintain the collection of plants and animals.

2) To facilitate scientific research by University of Guyana staff and students, staff and students of other research institutions, and interested members of the public.

Scientific research includes biological inventories, surveys and plot studies to determine levels of biodiversity.

3) To support educational activities with students of the University of Guyana and other educational institutions that encourage investigation of the natural sciences.

4) To collaborate with other agencies and organizations for the conservation and sustainable utilization of the nation’s natural resources.

Guyana has remarkable diverse habitats and a rich flora (plant life) and fauna (animal life) which remains largely unexplored. It is unique in the world because the majority of its natural resources remain in a pristine state. Approximately 84% of the country is covered with tropical rain forests and only a small portion has been deforested. Guyana is home to thousands of species of plants and animals, many of which are unknown to scientists. The biodiversity has played and will continue to play a major role in assisting the nation to manage its natural resources
 
 
 
 

SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
 
 

The biodiversity centre has already made significant contributions, some of which are mentioned below:
 
 

* Provided funds for several UG personnel to attend overseas training courses.

* Contracted the services of UG students to do supervised research activities.

* Established a Small Grants Program for education and research, which the public can access.

* Sponsored a two-week Parataxonomy course for Guyanese Amerindians.

* Established a Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing Laboratory in Guyana through a World Bank Contract awarded to the Centre.

* Provides ongoing training in GIS operations for UG staff and students.

* Provided access to library facilities for UG and other students.

* Provided part-time employment for UG students; these students obtain training in Zoology and Herbarium techniques during this employment.

* Promotes public awareness of biodiversity issues by means of conducted tours to the centre.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

For further information please contact any of the following staff members at the CSBD:

James Singh

Naseem Nasir

Dyantie Naraine

Mike Tamessar

Coralie Simmons

Tel.: 222-2329/4921

Fax: 222-4921

See also Biological Diversity of the Guiana Shield at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution http://www.mnh.si.edu/biodiversity/bdg/