There is a “great chance” that new species could be discovered within the two-year period for this country’s involvement in the BIOSCAN Biodiversity Preservation Project.
Four Malaise Traps were distributed to organisations to conduct the exercise, including the Asa Wright Nature Centre. The aim is to map out the local flying insect populations. Each specimen collected from the traps will be identified, photographed, and DNA barcoded for the first time locally.
Planning Minister Pennelope Beckles said the BIOSCAN Project will greatly assist this country to establish baselines for critical species, which can be used towards a monitoring programme and policy for its protection.
Chair of the Board at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, Professor Judith Gobin, said the project has already created a buzz at the Centre.
The Ministry of Planning and Development first kicked off T&T’s participation in the global BIOSCAN programme, which is aimed at national biodiversity preservation, in April.