Research

Research is clearly identified in Iwokrama’s mission as one of the means of achieving conservation and sustainable utilisation of our forests.

“To promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rain forests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general, by undertaking research, training, and the development and dissemination of technologies.”

The Iwokrama International Centre offers many opportunities for research and has undertaken studies in several areas including botanical, zoological, ecological, social, cultural, economic as it relates to the tropical forest area and also the North Rupununi savannah area that lies south of the Iwokrama Forest and where the majority of communities associated with the forest are found.

The Iwokrama Forest, a 371,000 hectare laboratory, is the best understood ecosystem in the Guiana Shield and coupled with the zonation into the Wilderness Preserve and Sustainable Use Area, provides an ideal environment for traditional as well as application driven research. Additionally, other available facilities for research including the Field Camps, Training and Resource Centre, Ranger Stations, Canopy Walkway, the road to Brazil that bisects the Reserve and rivers that act as Reserve boundaries, enhance the scope for research that could be facilitated in the area.

One of the major areas that distinguish Iwokama as a global leader is its successful approaches with working with local communities and the foundation for collaborative management has been laid through the recognition of Indigenous Rights that is enshrined in the Iwokrama Act and the implementation of shared decision making mechanisms. More recently, Iwokrama’s increasing business development activities inclusive of processes such as Forest Certification, themselves offer lots of scope for reseach and information sharing. Additionally, the recognition of valuing intellectual property and environmental services and with Climate Change now being a critical issue on the global agenda, makes Iwokrama well placed to part-take in the conversation in defining solutions to these challenges.

Enhancing knowledge base of Iwokrama: Iwokrama is a dynamic organization and though much has been achieved in the past there is still substantial work that needs to be done to build knowledge base. The research strategy will target those interested in improving the information base for Iwokrama which will influence development of mechanisms to enhance the management of the Iwokrama Forest and associated areas with community links.

Enhancing general knowledge about tropical forests: This kind of research will target areas that will not necessarily link directly to Iwokrama programme activities but would seek to create a greater understanding of the tropical rain forests including global issues such as climate change, forest degradation, watershed management.

Iwokrama will continue making strategic linkages with local, regional and international universities and research institutions. Memoranda of Understanding have been signed with Centre for International Forest Research (CIFOR) and several universities and other organizations. These provide for the development of strategic partnerships for research for individuals and groups with specific focus on use of the Iwokrama Forest and associated facilities.