Ecology
Experiment on Tree-Species Diversity in a Tropical Forest
Logged Dipterocarp forests are replanted with three levels of tree-species diversity for the purpose of investigating how forest diversity affects wood production, carbon storage and other ecosystem processes in tropical regions. The replanting is carried out using monocultures, low-diversity mixtures similar to commercial reforestation areas and using a full mix of species reflecting the natural diversity of the primary forest.
The aim of the project is to compare community and ecosystem processes in the low and high species-diversity plots. The focus of the analysis is on diversity and wood production (carbon sequestration), biogeochemical and hydrological variables, molecular analysis, levels of biodiversity and the activity of associated groups of organisms. The field research is carried out at an established research station in Malaysia.
Assumptions
The forest is state-owned, as is the field station. Export of samples to Switzerland for further analysis.
Option 1: «Access» is only understood as the collection and export of samples.
Option 2: «Access» is understood as including all of the field studies carried out in the forests
(see note below)
Analysis
Access
- Access to location where resources are found;
- measurement of forest growth;
- collection of samples;
- export of samples to Switzerland.
Parties
Provider:
State of Malaysia (i.e. responsible agency) User: Swiss research institute
Prior Informed Consent
Option 1:
Export of samples.
Option 2:
Entire research design.
Contracts
The type of contract depends on the definition of access in the national legislation:
Option 1:
MTA or simple access contract governing the collection and export of samples.
Option 2:
Simple access contract incorporating the entire research design.
Benefits to Be Shared
Cooperation with research station in Malaysia; technology transfer, training of PhD students; provision of duplicate samples to providing country, co-publication of findings; further research cooperation.
Contract Elements
Option 1:
Parties to the contract; objective of the research; geographical area; type of specimens; export of specimens; use made of specimens; details of benefit sharing.
Option 2:
Including detailed research plan (access to location, measurements etc.).
Note
«Access» has not yet been generally defined, therefore the scope of the term depends on national legislation and practice. In this case, the question arises as to whether the field study itself is understood as «access» in the sense of the CBD or only the collection and export of samples. The contract must be drafted accordingly.
