Projekt

The project extension is structured into five work packages. The spectrum of methods applied in WP 1 - Research includes molecular phylogenetics and taxonomy, analyses of geographical distributions, historical biogeography, and conservation status assessment. Selected plant genera from different ecosystems (Campanula, Pyrus, Dianthus, Scutellaria, Jurinea, and Ramalina) will be studied as models to arrive at a better understanding their evolutionary history and to carry out meta-analyses on Caucasus plant diversity patterns. Population-level analyses (conservation genetics) will contribute information that is essential for conservation planning, such as the distribution of genotypes and effects of habitat fragmentation on gene flow in selected species. Applications extend from protected area management (management of genetic diversity and unique genotypes in situ), to identifying plant material suitable for restoration programs. Research in this context will continue on Pterocarya fraxinifolia (a relict tree) and Calligonum bakuense (a highly endangered endemic shrub). Presenting and disseminating the biodiversity data and insights generated in this project will be the key component of WP 2 - Data management and dissemination. The primary data generated in this project (specimen meta-data, sequence data) will be managed in a way that they can be sustainably stored, shared, and used for scientific syntheses to provide the tools supporting conservation. Among the products of this project will be databases and on-line resources on the plant diversity in the Caucasus. The WP 3 - Endangered species management will then assist the practical implementation of ex situ and in situ conservation measures using results of WPs 1 and 2 on selected plants as exemplars. The WP 4 and 5 will deal with Capacity building and Outreach.

• Prof. Dr. Thomas Borsch

  Freie Universität Berlin
  Botanischer Garten und Botanisches
  Museum Berlin-Dahlem
  Berlin
  

• Dr. Nadja Korotkova

  Freie Universität Berlin
  Institut für Biologie
  AG Systematische Botanik und Pflanzengeographie
  Berlin
  

• Dr. Anush Nersesyan

  National Academy of Sciences of Armenia
  Institute of Botany
  Jerewan
  Armenien
  

• Dr. Esmira Alirzayeva

  Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
  Institute of Botany
  Baku
  Aserbaidschan
  

• Dr. Zezva Asanidze

  Ilia State University
  Institute of Ecology
  Tbilisi
  Georgien