DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Tsiino Hiiwiida: Unveiling multiple dimensions of plant and fungal biodiversity of the Upper Rio Negro

Project disclaimer

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Description

The project “Tsiino Hiiwiida: Unveiling multiple dimensions of the plant and fungal biodiversity in the Upper Rio Negro” addresses a critical gap in knowledge of the plant and fungal diversity in one of the least explored regions of the Amazon Basin, the Cabeça de Cachorro (or Tsiino Hiiwiida in the indigenous language of the Baniwa people) of Brazil. In the face of increasing anthropogenic change in the area due to mining and deforestation, conservation efforts are impeded by lack of knowledge of key components that maintain ecosystem integrity. In a region that has been significantly less explored than the rest of Brazil, Cabeça de Cachorro is a critical gap for effective conservation and sustainable development. Among the outcomes of the project that will directly benefit Brazil are 1) creation of a network of scientists, students, parataxonomists and indigenous people with common purpose to understand and document diversity, 2) discovery and description of hitherto undocumented plant and fungal diversity in a global hotspot, 3) new insights into the evolution of Amazonian biodiversity that will directly aid conservation, 4) locally relevant tools for future monitoring of local diversity by local people and 5) improvement of higher level and academic training for people based in the Amazonian region. The project Tsiino Hiiwiida will specifically address the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 4 (quality education), 10 (reduce inequalities), 13 (climate action), and 15 (life on land). Involvement of local communities in both the research and the production of research products will engender lifelong learning and contribute to the levelling up of the Amazon within Brazilian society (4, 10). Building better knowledge of plant and fungal diversity contributes directly to Goals 13 and 15. The complete taxonomically verified catalogue of plant and fungal diversity of the focal area, coupled with capacity building and co-designed tools for further documentation of plant and fungal diversity will empower Brazilian scientists and local peoples. Novel methods for exploration, monitoring and describing the diversity of this rich area will create a collaborative traditional and western scientific knowledge system to truly understand and protect the biodiversity of this culturally rich region of the Brazilian Amazon.

Objectives

ISPF aims to foster prosperity by solving shared global research and innovation challenges. This will be done through working closely with international partners to: support research excellence and build the knowledge and technology of tomorrow strengthen ties with international partners that share our values; enable researchers and innovators to cultivate connections, follow their curiosity and pioneer transformations internationally, for the good of the planet. Activities under ISPF ODA aim to deliver research and innovation partnerships with low- and middle-income countries.

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Location

The country, countries or regions that benefit from this Programme.

Brazil

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