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Americas and the Caribbean Project Dossier KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
Americas and the Caribbean Project Dossier
KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
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controlling floating pennywort in a safe and sustainable way Argentina, Brazil, The Netherlands, UK 1
Plantwise in the Caribbean and Latin AmericaBarbados, Bolivia, Grenada, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago
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mitigating the threats of invasive alien species in the insular Caribbean
Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago 5
hunting for Chile’s fungi and nematodes Chile 7
helping cocoa farmers tackle diseased crops in a sustainable way Costa Rica, Ecuador 9
investigating the impacts of Jatropha curcas production Mexico, Burkina Faso, Mali, India 11
investigating heavy metals in cocoa Peru, Venezuela 13
biocontrol in North America North America 15
biofuels information exchange Worldwide 17
developing a global agricultural research archive Worldwide 19
the Invasive Species Compendium Worldwide 21
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) is a strong contender for the title of worst aquatic weed in the UK. Originating from Central and South America, the plant arrived in the UK in the late 1980s as an oxygenating ornamental plant for the aquatic trade. It didn’t take long however, for it to escape cultivation and spread rapidly across Southern England, as well as other European countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium in particular. It now over-runs water bodies and is threatening habitats, native plants and the fish and insects within them.
so what’s the problem?Floating pennywort is able to grow up to 20cm per day, and can regenerate from tiny fragments. With restrictions on chemical use near water, management has to rely on manual clearance which is expensive and unreliable. Floating pennywort is an economically important weed, with costs linked to management and the impact on tourism and recreational activities across Europe and Great Britain estimated to exceed £25 million (c. €29.5 million) per year.
The EU Water Framework Directive requires that water bodies in Europe achieve “good ecological and chemical status” and so developing sustainable and environmentally friendly management approaches to Floating pennywort control have become important. In a bid to protect vulnerable habitats, the UK Government have recently included Floating pennywort on a list of non-native aquatic plants to be banned from sale from April 2014.
controlling floating pennywort in a safe and sustainable way
locationsArgentinaBrazilThe NetherlandsUK
datesApril 2011 – ongoing
CABI project team Djamila DjeddourDick ShawMarion SeierKate JonesSuzy Wood
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contactCABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK T: + 44 (0)1491 829080 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org/uk
what is this project doing?The project aims to identify the safest and most effective biocontrol agent for Floating pennywort through comprehensive host range testing in CABI’s UK quarantine facilities. The ultimate aim is to have a Pest Risk Analysis completed and be able to apply for its release in the UK. To do this, the CABI team is collaborating with Argentinian and Brazilian institutes to enable further surveys in the native range and export of insects and pathogens.
Two surveys, undertaken in 2010, indicated that a number of highly promising insects and pathogens were worthy of further investigation as biocontrol agents as they kept the weed in check across its native South American range.
A weevil (Listronotus elongatus) has been found to successfully damage floating pennywort, causing considerable damage to the weedy species while posing no threat to the native European Marsh pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris). To complete initial host range testing on this promising weevil, CABI needs to export this and other potential agents from their native range in Argentina and Brazil.
Other agents under consideration include a fly (Eugaurax sp.) which builds up to high numbers in the field with devastating consequences for the target weed, as well as a relatively uncommon, yet potentially highly specific, rust fungus.
CABI needs to source, propagate and test an agreed test plant list, to ensure the weevil and other agents don’t attack related species or important native species. CABI also needs to complete the host range testing in the UK and find the most climatically suited populations of the weevil to ensure its efficiency if release is approved.
In addition to the research work, it is also important that awareness of non-native invasive species and their deleterious impact continues to be raised across Europe so that the public and their elected representatives and government agencies are aware of both the risks they pose and the potential solutions available to tackle them.
results so farSo far, CABI has undertaken surveys with collaborators in Argentina and Brazil and identified a number of very promising insects and fungi. In consultation with a Steering Committee, a comprehensive test plant list has been approved for the UK and sourcing/propagation of test plants is ongoing. Correct protocols and permissions for export of species from Argentina and Brazil are being adhered to. So far, a shipment of Eugaurax fly sp. has been received from the USA and work is underway to rear and test its specificity.
www.cabi.org/hydrocotyle
Djamila Djeddour, Project Manager
partnersFUEDEI Argentina
UNESP/FEPAF (Sao Paulo)
sponsorDefra
3
KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
Due to its huge latitudinal range, varied topography and rich biodiversity, Latin America and the Caribbean has one of the most diverse and complex ranges of farming of any region in the world.
so what’s the problem?Pests and diseases mean that crops suffer and yields are often less than half what they could be. Extension services can’t possibly meet all the wide-ranging information needs of smallholder farmers, and providing timely and relevant advice can significantly improve food security.
what is CABI doing?Responding to this, Plantwise – led by CABI – has been initiated to improve food security and rural livelihoods across the world. It does this by reducing crop losses and helping countries establish community-based plant clinics to deliver practical advice to farmers that have problems with their crops.
Timely and relevant advice can significantly improve food security, so Plantwise bolsters extension services to meet the information needs of smallholder farmers.
We are joining-up the research community and farmers by translating the researchers’ knowledge into practical, accessible advice. We then feedback information from farmers into a central resource, the Knowledge Bank.
The Knowledge Bank brings together information from across the plant health field, including local pest distribution data and is made available to extension workers, researchers, policy makers and others.
Plantwise in the Caribbean and Latin America
locationsBarbados Bolivia Grenada Honduras Nicaragua Peru Suriname Trinidad & Tobogo
datesOngoing
CABI project teamYelitza Colmenarez
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contactCABI, CABIUNESP-Fazenda Experimental Lageado, FEPAF (Escritorio da CABI), Rua Dr. Jose Barbosa de Barros 1780, Fazenda Experimental Lageado CEP:18.610-307, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil T: +5514-38826300 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org/uk/americas
We are currently working in eight countries in the Caribbean and Latin America to:
• train plant doctors and establish plant health clinics in rural locations to provide free advice to farmers
• train future plant doctor trainers
• develop data management systems for collate and analyze information from plant clinics
• link diagnostic laboratories to plant clinics
• develop farmer-friendly fact sheets for pest problems
• collate country-specific information for the Plantwise knowledge bank (www.plantwise.org/knowledgebank)
• provide country-specific plant health news
• support extension campaigns based on plant clinic information
• strengthen links between stakeholders in the national plant health system
results so farBarbados: The plant clinic concept was recently launched here, and has been well received. We are partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management and are planning to train an additional 25 Ministry officers to run four plant clinics throughout the country.
Bolivia: We are working with local partners at the Santa Cruz Government (DSA, CIAT, SEDAG), INIAF, SENASAG, PROINPA, local universities and research institutions. Currently, we have 27 plant clinics running in Santa Cruz and Cochabamba that have been well received by farmers.
Grenada: Plant clinics have been well received and we are and planning to run eight clinics for Grenada and Carriacou run by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry staff.
Honduras: We are piloting Plantwise in the Ocotepeque region with the National Plant Health Service (SENASA). We also have active participation from nine local organizations, including NGOs, farmer cooperatives and municipalities. To date, 21 plant doctors have been trained and nine plant clinics have opened.
Nicaragua: 17 plant clinics in Las Segovias and Occidente have been delivered by working with the National Plant Health Network, which comprise Nicaragua’s relevant private and public institutions that are related to agriculture. Farmers associations have embraced the plant clinic concept and it has been incorporated into their normal service.
Peru: Working with the National Institute of Agriculture Innovation (INIA) plant clinics are running in four regions (Puno, Tarapoto, Huancayo y Huaral) as part of a national programme. We have the support of local government, universities and research institutions.
Suriname: Alongside the Caribbean Institute, and the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (LVV) we are delivering four plant clinics.
Trinidad & Tobago: We are working with the Ministry of Food Production, and have trained 26 plant doctors. Presently, eight plant clinics are run throughout Trinidad with two planned for Tobago in 2013.
www.plantwise.org
partnersMinistries of Agriculture (including extension, research and regulatory departments and institutes)
Universities
Non-governmental organisations
Farmers association (Cooperatives)
Private sector
sponsorsAustralian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Department for International Development (DFID), UK
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
Invasive alien species in the Caribbean are doing untold damage to the vulnerable marine, freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity of the many islands, and to the people dependent on this biodiversity for their livelihoods and wellbeing.
so what’s the problem?As plants, animals or microorganisms that are not native to an ecosystem, the introduction of invasive alien species can threaten biodiversity, food security, health and economic development. Islands, with their diverse but delicate ecosystems are particularly at risk from invasive alien species and can significantly damage often already threatened, native and endemic biodiversity. Tackling invasive species that are able to spread and colonize new areas and habitats requires coordinated regional effort.
what is this project doing?CABI is coordinating a project to broaden the approach to deal with invasive alien species. To do this, the project will strengthen national capacity and facilitate the development of regional strategies. We are therefore working with partners from five island nations across the insular Caribbean, namely; the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago to enhance the region’s capacity to prevent, control and manage invasive alien species.
mitigating the threats of invasive alien species in the insular Caribbean
locationsBahamas Dominican Republic Jamaica St Lucia Trinidad and Tobago
datesSeptember 2009 – March 2014
CABI project teamBob Ramnanan Arne Witt
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contactCABI, Gordon Street, Curepe, Trinidad & Tobago T: +1 (0)868 645 7628 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org/Americas
Knowledge generation, management and dissemination will allow the impact of the work to continue long beyond the end of the project. Access to data and the need to build capacity at each level is key if invasive alien species control and management is to be improved and new invasions prevented. Within this work we emphasize developing the skills and knowledge of government staff and others and providing the tools to effectively manage the problem.
In parallel with this, each country will also address its most pressing problems to prevent, quickly detect and respond, manage and eradicate problematic invasive species. We will also work at sites of high conservation value which are threatened by invasive species.
The project also aims to raise awareness of the issues of invasive species among the wider public, highlighting their negative impacts on the local economy, livelihoods and biodiversity.
results so farNational and regional strategies have been revised or created. The revised strategy for the Bahamas will be used to update related legislation, while initial strategies are being completed for the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. We have also developed a regional strategy with representatives from national working groups.
In addition to creating information, the team has raised public awareness via the ciasnet.org website, publishing a magazine highlighting the impacts and control of many invasive alien species and other more national efforts. The project is also sharing information internationally via various databases.
In terms of prevention, CABI has trained representatives from Trinidad and Tobago to identify frosty pod rot – a major disease of cocoa – in both the field and the lab and Saint Lucia is being successful in keeping two small offshore islands free from invasive alien species, giving their critically endangered endemic whiptail lizard a chance to thrive.
The Bahamas and Jamaica are making important advances in Lionfish control; Trinidad is making a significant contribution to understanding red palm mite biocontrol; and Jamaica is demonstrating practical ways of controlling wild ginger and the paper bark tree in the Black River morass – a Ramsar site (a wetland of national importance). Saint Lucia is evaluating various humane methods of capturing and dealing with an invasive iguana that is threatening its native species; while the Dominican Republic is on target to successfully eradicate feral donkeys and cats from Cabritos, and island in Lake Enriquillo.
www.cabi.org/caribbeanias
Bob Ramnanan, Project Manager
partnersA consortium of partners from the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
sponsorUnited Nations Environment Programme’s Global Environment Facility (UNEP-GEF)
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
Much of the world’s biodiversity exists in under-explored corners of the planet. Limited resources mean that many countries believe they have to choose between supporting their economy to feed people, or protecting their biodiversity.
The Darwin Initiative – funded by Defra and DFID – helps countries protect this biodiversity while benefitting their populations. Through the scheme, UK experts are able to undertake vital research to help protect many of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
so what’s the problem?Chile is a long thin country, stretching for over 4,350km from North to South. It is a land of extremes; with deserts and mountains, areas of high rainfall and near-Antarctic conditions which leads to a variety of rich and diverse ecosystems that need both exploring and protecting.
Chile’s agricultural industry has become more intensive with increased use of chemical pesticides in recent years and the Chilean Government is keen to find effective and more sustainable alternatives. Fungi or nematodes (microscopic worms) that can be used to help control pests could be the answer.
hunting for Chile’s fungi and nematodes
locationChile
datesJune 2006 – May 2009
CABI project team Dave Moore Steve Edgington Matt Ryan David Smith
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contactCABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK T: + 44 (0)1491 829080 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org/uk
what did this project do?In an effort to understand more about Chile’s fungi and nematodes, CABI – with funding through the Darwin Initiative – teamed up with the Chilean Government’s agricultural research service to find and identify specialized species of fungi and nematodes that kill insects that could be used to control agricultural pests.
Over a three year period, project scientists performed six surveys across Chile’s differing climatic and topographic regions in the hope of finding a large selection of differing fungi and nematode species.
Soil samples taken were sent back to laboratories. Here, insect larvae were used as bait to extract fungi and nematodes. After identification, a series of tests helped build up a profile of characteristics about each species, some of which indicated their suitability for commercial use to control agricultural pests.
resultsSix main surveys were carried out, from the far North of Chile near the Peruvian border, in an area of arid, desert landscape, to Patagonia – a wet and cold region in the South of the country. More than 500 strains of fungi and 100 strains of nematode were found; three nematode species were new to science.
A good biological pesticide needs to be effective throughout the year, especially early in the growing season when crops are vulnerable to attack. So, a key characteristic that scientists looked for is the adaptability to a variety of temperatures. Results from the ecological testing of the nematodes showed that one species stood out: a species from a Patagonian island that was able to locate, infect and kill a pest at just 6°C.
This work formed the basis of a national database of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes found within Chile. It also developed in-country expertise required to curate and profile them.
It is hoped that by attaching a use and value to microbial diversity, and promoting this amongst local farmers, soil and plant health will be preserved for future generations.
www.cabi.org/chnem
Dave Moore, Project Manager
partnerInstituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA)
sponsorThe Darwin Initiative, Defra and DFID, UK
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is an important commodity crop in Latin America and the Caribbean. Although production here only accounts for 15% of the world’s total, much of it is of a high quality, used to make speciality chocolate.
so what’s the problem?A major threat to cocoa production in the region is the fungal pathogen Moniliophthora roreri, the causal agent of frosty pod rot.
Frosty pod rot is only responsible for around 5% of cocoa loss globally but it becomes more aggressive and destructive when it moves into a new area, quickly surpassing and replacing existing diseases such as witches’ broom and Phytophthora pod rot. Frosty pod rot is a specialized pathogen that only infects the growing pods. Once symptoms appear, the seeds or “beans” are of no commercial use. Where conditions are favourable to the fungus, frosty pod rot can routinely cause an 80% loss of pods and farmers have been known to lose their whole crop.
This devastating disease has only begun to spread through the region relatively recently (since the 1950s) and can now be found in most cocoa growing countries in Latin America. Frosty pod rot poses a very real threat to cocoa production in Brazil and the Caribbean, as well as other cocoa producing regions of the world.
helping cocoa farmers tackle diseased crops in a sustainable way
locationsCosta Rica Ecuador
datesApril 2007 – March 2011
CABI project teamJayne Crozier Keith Holmes Sarah Thomas
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contactCABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK T: + 44 (0)1491 829080 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org/uk
what is this project doing?Conventional control methods, which are often labour intensive and difficult to implement, have failed to halt the progress of frosty pod rot and have led to a search for alternative control strategies. CABI and partners have been investigating the use of co-evolved fungal endophytes, such as naturally occurring Trichoderma species, as potential biocontrol agents. These fungal endophytes may offer protection to the plant from disease.
The main objective of the project was to assess a large group of endophytic species of Trichoderma for their potential as biocontrol agents. Experiments to assess their ability and effectiveness in killing or inhibiting the frosty pod rot pathogen and its ability to recolonize cocoa tissue.
results so farFrom our screening, 14 isolates of Trichoderma were selected for small-scale field trials to assess their biological control potential against M. roreri. Using cocoa pods in Costa Rica we compared their ability to suppress Moniliophthora roreri in the field and their capacity to colonize and grow inside the cocoa pods – an important feature for good control. In Ecuador, we used cocoa seedlings to assess the ability of the Trichoderma treatments to colonize cocoa roots, stems and leaves to see if they could stay inside the growing cocoa tissue for up to 6 months.
From these results, two of the most promising isolates Trichoderma ovalisporum and T. harzianum, were selected for large-scale field trials. Here, appropriate formulations and application methods will be developed and their potential use in an integrated management system for frosty pod rot could be assessed.
In contrast to chemical fungicides, the biocontrols we tested had no residual carry over effects from season to season.
Further research is being carried out by the USDA to improve methods of application and make formulations more cost effective.
www.cabi.org/cocoabio
partnersCentro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), Turrialba, Costa Rica
Instituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigación de Agropecuarias (INIAP), Pichilingue, Quevedo, Ecuador
sponsorUnited States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), USA
Jayne Crozier, Project Manager
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
As fossil fuel prices increase and concerns about climate change grow, bioenergy crops have gained international prominence.
so what’s the problem?Increasing demand for bioenergy crops could lead to conflict, particularly in the tropics where the need to produce food is paramount. Growing such crops could also lead to increased deforestation, where large scale forest land conversions are initiated. Some think smallholder farmers could incorporate the production of bioenergy crops into their current land use systems, growing such crops alongside food crops without jeopardizing their own food security. This would increase the smallholders’ cash flow and enable them to intensify food production.
Jatropha curcas, a plant from the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and native to Central America is cultivated throughout the tropics. Its seeds are rich in oil (27–40%) which, using low-tech extraction techniques, is suitable for biodiesel. The plant is being promoted in several regions worldwide and especially in the two primary project countries, Mexico and India. Following insurgent activity in the planned field work area in India, in 2010 project activities were moved to Mali, and then, after the coup d’état in Mali in March 2012, to Burkina Faso.
In Mexico, where the plant is native, it is traditionally planted as a hedge. Large scale planting was initiated in 2006, particularly in Chiapas and Veracruz. In India, large-scale land conversions to Jatropha have been initiated in several states. In Burkina Faso and Mali farmers have been encouraged to plant Jatropha as part of an intercropping system or as hedges, with support from local extension workers. So far, however, little is known about basic agronomy and ecological impacts across different agro-eco-regions.
locationsBurkina Faso India Mali Mexico
datesJune 2009 – February 2013
CABI project teamMarc KenisTim HayeCarol EllisonSteve EdgingtonSean Murphy
investigating the impacts of Jatropha curcas production
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what is this project doing?The primary project involved six partner teams from Mexico, India, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, with specific additional input from partners in Mali and, in the final year, Burkina Faso.
The aim was to assess the profitability, economic, social and environmental impacts of the production of the bioenergy crop Jatropha. The data obtained should enable us to identify the most suitable eco-regions for maximizing yields, taking into account different pests and diseases, production methods (smallholder versus large-scale planting), and economic, social and environmental production risks. A further objective was to identify shortfalls in land tenure systems or law, and develop legislation to ensure the social sustainability and equity of future bioenergy projects.
Studies on Jatropha were carried out in Mexico (Chiapas and Veracruz), northern India (Uttar Pradesh), Mali (Sikasso and Koulikoro) and Burkina Faso (Sissili). Where possible, three eco-regions along rainfall gradients were chosen in each country for the study. Activities were divided into three work packages:
• categorizationofexistingbioenergysystems• assessmentofenvironmentalimpacts• socioeconomicimpactassessmentanddissemination
results so farThe project is continuing, and data is still being analyzed. The main findings to date include:
• Jatrophaproductioninpartsofallregionsisbeingseriouslycurtailedbyinsectandpathogenattack• lowpriceofJatropha seed and labour competition are the main concerns among producers with
established crops• thereisnoevidencethatJatrophaisaninvasivespeciesinthestudyareasinAfrica
contactCABI, Rue des Grillons 1, CH-2800 Delémont, SwitzerlandT: +41 (0)32 421 4870 F: +41 (0)32 421 4871 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org/switzerland
www.cabi.org/era-ardbiofuels
Marc Kenis, Project Manager
partners
Centro Tecnológico Forestal de Catalunya, Solsona, Spain
Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias, Veracruz, Mexico
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
UTTHAN, Allahabad, India
Mali Biocarburant and Faso Biocarburant
Mali-Folkecenter
sponsors
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC)
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
Cocoa grows in pod-like fruits on tropical cacao trees. Although much of the world’s cocoa comes from Africa, it is also an important commodity crop in the Caribbean and Latin America.
so what’s the problem?Cadmium and other heavy metals are of great concern because they can be harmful to human health. Although humans can be exposed to heavy metals by inhaling particles in the atmosphere, the majority of heavy metals that occur in the body are consumed though contaminated food.
The European Commission is responsible for setting maximum limits for contaminants in foodstuffs to protect consumers in Europe. They are currently considering implementing new legislation to impose more stringent limits on heavy metals in foodstuffs. The heavy metal cadmium has been found to be present in some chocolate and cocoa products.
Heavy metals originate from both natural and man-made sources including: the formation of soil, the weathering of rock and volcanic activity, and industrial processes, mining, smelting, combustion of fossil fuels and the application of agricultural amendments. Anthropogenic activities (those undertaken by humans) have increased over recent decades and there is a tendency for the heavy metals produced to be more soluble in water and therefore easy for plants to take-up.
investigating heavy metals in cocoa
locationsPeru Venezuela
datesMarch 2008 – June 2011
CABI project teamJayne Crozier Keith Holmes Perry Polar
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contactCABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK T: + 44 (0)1491 829080 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org/uk
what did this project do?Involving five partners, including the European Cocoa Association (ECA), Chocolate, Biscuits & Confectionery of Europe (CAOBISCO), country partners and CABI (which provided technical support and coordination), the project aimed to establish levels of cadmium and other heavy metals present in cocoa beans, in the soil where it grows and to increase understanding of the factors which influence its uptake. Activities were divided into three phases:
Phase 1 We reviewed and evaluated all of the available information on levels of heavy metals in cocoa, particularly cadmium, lead and aluminium and identified the soil properties that influence heavy metal availability and plant uptake.
Phase 2Samples of soil and cocoa beans were collected from the most important cocoa growing regions in both Peru and Venezuela. These were analyzed for the presence of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc. Other soil properties that can affect the ability of plants to take-up heavy metals were also investigated.
Phase 3We provided a comprehensive report of our scientific findings, conclusions and recommendations, as well as standard methodologies for future monitoring and analysis of heavy metals.
resultsGenerally, we found that the analyzed cocoa beans from both Peru and Venezuela contained low levels of cadmium. Some samples, however, did contain high levels. Levels of lead in cocoa from both countries were very low.
We found that the pH of the soil was an important factor which affected the ability of plants to take-up heavy metals.
Highlighting the complex nature of heavy metal uptake in cocoa, this study draws attention to the need for further research.
Jayne Crozier, Project Manager
PartnersJoint Project Managers: European Cocoa Association (ECA) and Chocolate, Biscuits & Confectionery of Europe (CAOBISCO)
Instituto de Cultivos Tropicales, Perú
Fundación Jardín Botánico de Mérida, Venezuela
SponsorNetherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV)
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
The rapid increase in trade and travel between countries has resulted in a leap in the number of plants and insects arriving in new environments. The majority come without the natural enemies that keep them in check in their native range. This can lead to these non-native organisms having an unfair advantage over their new neighbours.
invasive species and biological controlClassical biological control tries to re-establish a balance in the ecology by re-introducing specialist natural enemies that help control these invasive organisms in their native range. In the case of invasive plants, these can be specialist insects, mites, fungal pathogens or nematodes. For insect pests, they are primarily parasitoids, predators and entomopathogens. Our centres in both Switzerland and the UK investigate natural enemies to control several invasive insects and weeds for North America.
biocontrol in North America
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contactCABI, Nosworthy Way, Wallingford, OX9 8DE, UK T: +44 (0)1491 832111 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org
our expertiseOur UK and Switzerland centres have worked on the classical biological control of invasive species since 1927 and 1948 respectively. We have experience in both field and laboratory studies, assessing the host-specificity and impact of potential biological control agents. This ensures that any agent we recommend for field release is thoroughly tested, and any risks to non-target species are minimized.
Insects identified and studied by our Swiss and UK centres are currently contributing to the successful control of several North American pests and weeds and we are currently working on the following:
Insect Pests:
Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys
Cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus
Leek moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella
Plant bugs, Lygus spp.
Red clover casebearer, Coleophora deauratella
Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii
Weeds:
Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense
Common reed, Phragmites australis
Common tansy, Tanacetum vulgare
Dyer’s woad, Isatis tinctoria
Field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis
Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata
Hawkweeds, Pilosella spp.
Himalayan balsam, Impatiens glandulifera
Hoary cress, Lepidium draba
Houndstongue, Cynoglossum officinale
Hygrophila, Hygrophila polysperma
Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica
Oxeye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare
Perennial pepperweed, Lepidium latifolium
Russian knapweed, Acroptilon repens
Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia
Swallow-worts, Vincetoxicum spp.
Toadflaxes, Linaria spp.
Wild ginger, Hedychium spp., in Hawaii
Yellow Himalayan raspberry, Rubus ellipticus, in Hawaii
www.cabi.org
Key sponsors and partners:Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta
Alberta Invasive Plant Council
British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Montana Weed Trust Fund through Montana State University
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Plant Protection and Quarantine – Center for Plant Health Science and Technology)
USDA- FS (US Department of Agriculture – Forest Service)
USDI-BIA (US Department of the Interior – Bureau of Indian Affairs)
USDI-BLM (US Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through Cornell University
Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
Biofuels, derived from biological carbon fixation, have been identified as a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources such as wood, oil, coal and gas. They include transport fuel derived from oil crops such as Jatropha and sunflower, bioethanol from fermentation of plant sugars (eg. sugarcane), starches and lignocellulose (eg. crop residues) and algal fuels.
so what’s the problem?Over the last five years, higher oil prices around the world and the perceived growing need for energy security have resulted in biofuels receiving increased attention from the public and the scientific community alike.
The production of some biofuel crops and the use of food crops for biofuel remains a contentious topic for both scientists and public. At CABI’s regional members’ consultations in 2007, member country representatives expressed a need for information to help them make decisions on biofuel policy.
locationWorldwide
dates2008 – ongoing
CABI project teamCarol EllisonJulie FloodCorin PrattPeter BakerJanny Vos
biofuels information exchange
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what is this project doing?Responding to this need, CABI developed the Biofuels Information Exchange – biofuelexperts.ning.com – which is free to join. The site has been set up to give experts in the field from around the world access to peer-reviewed and unbiased information on biofuels and to allow them to discuss their research, experiences and findings.
The professional website enables users to:
• access35,000researchrecordspertinenttobiofuelsfromtheCABAbstractsdatabase
• becomeuptodateonbiofuelsnews
• findoutwhoisundertakingresearchandintowhichareasofbiofuels
• findcolleaguesintheirregionorfieldofexpertise
• readindependentCABIreportsonbiofuel-relatedtopics
• discussbiofuelsissueswithpeoplefromaroundtheworld
results so farThe Biofuels Information Exchange has been running since 2008 and now has nearly 600 members worldwide. During 2011, the website recorded close to 20,000 page views. Recent topics of debate on the forum include Jatropha, water hyacinth and pongamia.
CABI regularly posts summaries on the Biofuels Information Exchange home page. These focus on publications relating to a particular aspect of biofuels such as Jatropha production, biofuel life-cycle assessments and ethical aspects of the biofuel industry. Papers exclusive to the site are also published; to date these have included “Land use change: science and policy review” and “Biofuels as invasive species”. There is also free access to CAB Review papers discussing biofuels.
Site manager Carol Ellison says: “The Biofuels Information Exchange is an important resource to research institutes, extension staff, private entrepreneurs and investors in the biofuels industry. It also provides a forum for debate on biofuel topics of all kinds. It’s great to see scientists from around the world exchanging views and research on this topic.”
contactCABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK T: + 44 (0)1491 829080 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org/uk
biofuelexperts.ning.com
Carol Ellison, Site Manager
sponsors
CABI Development Fund (CDF)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) – UK
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
Worldwide concern about food security and climate change is at an all-time high. It is widely accepted that these issues will hit the most vulnerable communities, those in the tropical regions of the developing world, hardest.
so what’s the problem?Investment in international agricultural research is being increased to meet the threats of poor food security and climate change and technological innovations offer great promise for improved food output in the future. At both local and national levels, much knowledge already exists which, if effectively disseminated and implemented, could immediately improve yields and reduce losses. However, this information is often not readily accessible in developing countries, nor is it in a form that allows it to be shared within countries, let alone across regions.
what is this project doing?CABI is helping solve this problem by creating a network of agricultural information for the world’s researchers to share through our GARA initiative. The aim is to preserve and disseminate valuable agricultural material and associated knowledge for the benefit of current researchers and generations to come. The Global Agricultural Research Archive (GARA) has been developed to capture research digitally and create a knowledge archive on behalf of three developing countries in Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia – Malawi, Pakistan and the
locationsMalawi, Pakistan, Philippines
datesJanuary 2008 – June 2010
CABI project teamJanice OsbornJane Frances AsabaJanet HalsallChris ParkerMahrukh SirajQiaoqiao Zhang
developing a global agricultural research archive
20
Philippines. The archive is centrally managed and maintained to enable preservation, disaster recovery, and the long-term protection of knowledge which may be lost for ever.
It is a vital resource within these countries, and also offers the potential to create an information network that could be shared across the region.
Improving access liberalizes agricultural knowledge. When research succeeds and outputs are documented, disseminated and preserved, one small team of researchers can raise the productivity and income of millions of farmers. For developing countries this will mean:
• informationsharingacrossborders• agriculturalknowledgecanbecomeintegratedintotheburgeoningknowledgeeconomysimilarly
to that of developed countries • localknowledgewillbecomepreservedforfuturelocaluse
results so farSuccessfully developed and demonstrated at CABI’s Global Summit on Food Security in October 2009, GARA contains more than 1,500 easily accessible full text records from key institutional partners in Malawi, Pakistan and the Philippines.
• 520fulltextarticlesfromMalawi• 550fulltextarticlesfromPakistan• 680fulltextarticlesfromPhilippinesThese digitized database records include reports, conference proceedings, journal articles and newsletters. In the last year, over 13,000 people have visited the site to use the documents held there. The top ten countries using GARA are Pakistan, India, Philippines, USA, UK, Iran, Malawi, Malaysia, Australia and South Africa.
It’s good to see that this small collection of documents is being used and that the countries participating in the project are in this list. It’s also good to see that this work is now being accessed throughout the world. The challenge going forward is how to expand this approach.
contactCABI, Nosworthy Way, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8DE, UKT: +44 (0)1491 832111 F: +44 (0)1491 829198 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org
www.cabi.org/garasponsor
CABI Development Fund (CDF)
Janice Osborn, Project Manager
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KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
projects development
Invasive species are not native to an ecosystem and can threaten habitats, biodiversity, food security, health and economic development through their introduction, establishment and distribution.
so what’s the problem?Globally the damage caused by invasive species has been estimated at US$1.5 trillion per year – close to 5% of global GDP.
Invasive species affect many ecosystems and pose one of the biggest threats to biodiversity worldwide. Growth in trade, transport, travel and tourism inevitably increases the intentional or accidental introduction of organisms to new environments and it is widely predicted that climate change will make matters worse.
CABI has a long history of researching the behaviour and management of invasive species.
what is this project doing?CABI developed the Invasive Species Compendium (ISC) in partnership with an international development consortium to address the global need for accessible information on invasive species. The ISC, a comprehensive online knowledge base covering identification, biology, distribution, impact and management of the world’s invasive species, is the most extensive and authoritative compilation on the subject. Content is derived from thousands of peer-reviewed expert contributors, backed up by compilations of knowledge and
locationWorldwide
datesOngoing
CABI project teamGareth Richards Lucinda Charles Mark Palmer David Simpson Nicola Wakefield
the Invasive Species Compendium
US
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research. It offers coverage of all invasive species, from every taxonomic group (excluding human pathogens) with fast and easy navigation between text, images, maps and databases.
The ISC is essential for resource managers, extension workers, policy makers and researchers in agriculture and the environment. Freely available to all on an open access basis, it includes detailed datasheets comprising fully referenced sections on taxonomy and nomenclature, distribution, habitat, identification, biology and ecology, species associations, pathways of introduction, impacts and management, complemented by images and maps, supported by abstracts and full text articles.
invasive species datasheets
Over 1,500 datasheets on invasive species and animal diseases have been developed for inclusion in the ISC:
• 35percentplants(aquaticandterrestrial) - 30 per cent pests and pathogens of agricultural and environmental plants (terrestrial) - 15 per cent aquatic animals - 15 per cent animal pathogens - 5 per cent terrestrial vertebrates• animaldisease - over 120 animal diseases and associated pathogens • habitatinformationonriskofspeciesinvasion,impactsandmanagement• pathwayinformationonpathwaysforintroductionanddispersal - causes (why a species is transported) - vectors (physical means of transport) • summaryinformationonassociatedspecies
library
Full text articles complement the individual species datasheets. Articles can be easily searched for on the library page (www.cabi.org/isc/library) or the home page (www.cabi.org/isc).
bibliographic database
Over 79,000 abstracts with metadata are available via CAB Direct. These CAB abstracts include references cited in the datasheets of relevant research literature and are updated weekly. The CABI full text archive gives access to more than 1,400 articles.
results so farThe ISC launched in April 2012, with 1,520 full datasheets, 6,980 basic datasheets, 57 library documents, 1,130 full text articles, over 780 glossary definitions, and over 75,000 bibliographic records.
contactCABI, Nosworthy Way Wallingford Oxfordshire OX10 8DE UKT: +44 (0)1491 832111 F: +44 (0)1491 829198 E: [email protected] www.cabi.org
www.cabi.org/isc
Gareth Richards, Project Manager
partners
European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO)Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
contributors
The Invasive Species Compendium could not have been produced without the collaboration of experts from around the world.
sponsors
A consortium of 29 organizations
www.cabi.org
contact CABIAfrica
Kenya CABI, ICRAF Complex United Nations Avenue, Gigiri PO Box 633-00621 Nairobi, Kenya T: +254 (0)20 7224450/62 E: [email protected]
Ghana CABI, CSIR Campus, No.6 Agostino Neto Road Airport Residential Area, PO Box CT 8630 Cantonments, Accra, Ghana T: +233 302 797 202 E: [email protected]
Americas
Brazil CABI, UNESP-Fazenda Experimental Lageado, FEPAF (Escritorio da CABI) Rua Dr. Jose Barbosa de Barros 1780, Fazenda Experimental Lageado CEP:18.610-307 Botucatu, San Paulo, Brazil T: +5514-38826300 E: [email protected]
Trinidad & Tobago CABI, Gordon Street, Curepe Trinidad and Tobago T: +1 868 6457628 E: [email protected]
USA CABI, 875 Massachusetts Avenue 7th Floor, Cambridge MA 02139, USA T: +1 617 3954051 E: [email protected]
Asia
China CABI, Beijing Representative Office Internal Post Box 56 Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie Beijing 100081, China T: +86 (0)10 82105692 E: [email protected]
India CABI, 2nd Floor, CG Block, NASC Complex, DP Shastri Marg Opp. Todapur Village, PUSA New Delhi – 110012, India T: +91 (0)11 25841906 E: [email protected]
Malaysia CABI, PO Box 210, 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor, Malaysia T: +60 (0)3 89432921 E: [email protected]
Pakistan CABI, Opposite 1-A, Data Gunj Baksh Road Satellite Town, PO Box 8 Rawalpindi-Pakistan T: +92 (0)51 9290132 E: [email protected]
Europe
Switzerland CABI, Rue des Grillons 1 CH-2800 Delémont Switzerland T: +41 (0)32 4214870 E: [email protected]
UK CABI, Nosworthy Way Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8DE, UK T: +44 (0)1491 832111 E: [email protected]
CABI, Bakeham Lane Egham, Surrey TW20 9TY, UK T: +44 (0)1491 829080 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]
