National Biodiversity Centre

Category: Biodiversity News

  • DNA barcoding training underway at National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang.

    DNA barcoding training underway at National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang.

     

    A 12-day training course on DNA bar coding started at the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), Serbithang on 23rd October 2018, with funding support from the Secretariat to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and resource persons from Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, The Netherlands.

    DNA barcoding is a rapidly developing methodology in characterizing biological diversity through use of short, standardised DNA fragments. It lies at an interface between genomics and biodiversity science, offering a suite of molecular tools for fast and reliable species identification as well as species discovery.

    The training program is organized to train people working in biodiversity research and conservation science to use DNA techniques in identifying agricultural insect pests, pollinator insects, as well as fresh water and other cryptic biodiversity of Bhutan.

    Close to 15 participants from the College of Natural of Resources (CNR), Sherubtse College, National Plant Protection Centre (NPPC), Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research (UWICER) and NBC are taking part in this 12-day training program.

    This initiative is part of a long-term collaboration between Naturalis and NBC in biodiversity research, specifically focussing on developing taxonomic capacities of the in-country partner organizations and strengthening research on under-studied groups of biodiversity with economic and conservation values.

  • Farmers’ Field Day on Bhutan’s Traditional Maize Phenotypic Diversity Norzinthang, Trashigang, 3rd August 2018

    Organizers: SSSA University, NBC, ARDC Wengkhar, ARDCSS Khangma, FMCL Norzinthang

    In the face of the emerging challenge of climate change and in the quest to understand the traditional maize diversity of Bhutan, the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) and the Scuola Superiore Sant Anna University in Italy, in collaboration with the Agriculture and Research Development Centre (ARDC) in Wengkhar and Khangma and the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited (FMCL), Norzinthang, initiated phenotypic diversity studies of maize genetic resources of Bhutan since April 2018.

    A total of 142 maize landraces – traditional maize varieties that were grown by our farmers for centuries, were collected by NBC from 17 Dzongkhags and grown together in one field in Norzinthang, Trashigang since April 2018. By the last week of July, majority of the varieties had reached late maturity stage and were ready for assessment.

    A farmers’ field day was organized on 3rd August 2018 to evaluate the different varieties with participation by farmers, agriculture extension staff and researchers, providing a forum for interaction between different stakeholders and encouraging the integration of farmers’ traditional knowledge into advanced genetic approaches in order to assess maize diversity in Bhutan.

    The farmers and Agriculture Extension staff from 5 gewogs of Trashigang and Trashiyangtsi, along with six researchers from NBC, ARDC, Wengkhar and Khangma carried out evaluation of the field crop on the FMCL farm in Norzinthang in Trashigang.

    The field day provided a rare opportunity for participants to observe and compare 142 local maize landraces all in one field at one time. Participants identified maize landraces with preferred traits for consumption, sale, research and development.  The field day also promoted awareness on the importance of agro-biodiversity to the communities.

    This collaborative project will continue till all the landraces are harvested with detailed information recorded for further analysis, interpretation and conclusion. The maize landraces will be characterized at DNA level through DNA sequencing. The collective data generated will be assessed to generate comprehensive information on the characterization of Bhutanese maize diversity for the first time in the country in order to guide policy as well as research and development on maize.

  • Busy Butterfly BioBlitz winners

    During the month of June 2018, the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal teamed up with WWF Bhutan to run the Busy Butterfly BioBlitz. The results were spectacular:

    • 1130 observations (compared with 401 during the same period last year).
    • 476 butterfly observations submitted.

    The judges delighted in reviewing all your beautiful butterfly photographs.

    A special congratulations to Mr. Kado Rinchen of Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research who took out first prize in both categories.

    Champion Observers – Most number of observations submitted during BioBlitz

    Place Name Number of observations (all) Number of observations (arthropods) Prize
    First Mr. Kado Rinchen 299 144 Kaadoo: Explore Bhutan Wilderness, WWF cap
    Second Mr. Seangyeal Chhopheal 148 118 Set of five fabulous Bhutan field guides, WWF cap
    Third Mr. Karma Wangdi 101 98 Kaadoo: Explore Bhutan Wilderness, WWF cap

    Best Photograph
    First – Mr. Kado Rinchen (Prize: Set of five fabulous Bhutan field guides, WWF cap)

     Lime butterfly      Photo credit: Mr. Kado Rinche

    Mr. Kado Rinchen submitted six photographs which made our shortlist, but this exquisite photograph was our favourite. One of our judges reflected that she chose this winning photograph “… keeping in mind the timing to get that unique position, the clarity of the picture including the antennae and the legs, the story it conveys, and the overall focus”.

     

    Second – Mr. Tshulthrim Drukpa Wangyel (Prize: Kaadoo: Explore Bhutan Wilderness, WWF cap)

    Long-banded Silverline    Photo credit: Mr. Tshulthrim Drukpa Wangyel

     

    Third – Mr. Rinzin Wangchuk (Prize: Set of five fabulous Bhutan field guides, WWF cap)

    Krishna Peacock    Photo credit: Mr. Rinzin Wangchuk

  • Bhutan Biodiversity Portal Workshops Conducted at Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary and Sherubtse College

    The Bhutan Biodiversity Portal (www.biodiversity.bt) has been gaining popularity among the biodiversity enthusiast and nature lovers nationally and internationally. The observations (photos, videos, documents, & audios) has increased drastically since its launch in December 2013. Currently, the observations stands at more than 59,000 observations, more than 130 documents related to biodiversity and more than 1,500 registered users. This open source platform which is based on citizen science participation and interactions with taxonomic experts aims to document Bhutan’s rich biodiversity, which still remains largely undocumented. The data in the portal are open access and are accessible to everyone.

    With an aim to create awareness among the citizens, workshop on Bhutan Biodiversity Portal was conducted from 27th to 31st July 2018 to the officials of Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary head quarter and Sakteng Range Office considering the rich biodiversity the sanctuary devour. Workshop was also conducted to more than 200 students including lecturers of Sherubtse College, Kanglung.

    This workshop is a series of awareness programs conducted around the country targeting the areas with rich biodiversity, and interested agencies and individuals. Portal is a consortium based platform comprising Department of Forests and Park Services represented by Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research and Nature Conservation Division; Royal University of Bhutan represented by College of Natural Resources; Information, Communication and Technology Division, MoAF; WWF-Bhutan; and National Biodiversity Centre as secretariat to the consortium.

    Workshops were organized by the National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang with funding support from Royal Government of Bhutan and WWF-Bhutan program.

    –National Biodiversity Centre