Tree Flora of Peru
Peru is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, containing almost 10% of the world’s plant species. A number of organisations in Peru, such as the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), are in the process of developing small-scale agroforestry systems using native tree species, helping to control the destruction of natural forests and conserve genetic resources. These initiatives make an important contribution to improving the livelihoods of poor local farmers.
This project is working to document tree diversity in Peru, providing information on silviculture and utilization of the more important tree species in the Amazon and Andes. The results of the research are presented in practical, user-friendly, illustrated tree guides. The first of these, Árboles útiles de la Amazonia Peruana y sus usos (Guide to the Useful Trees of the Peruvian Amazon), was published in 2003 and distributed free to farmers, foresters and students. This was followed by Illustrated Guide to the Trees of Peru (2004).
Project Team
Project Leader: Pennington, Terry
Herbarium
Terence D. Pennington
Project Partners and Collaborators
Peru
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina
UK
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
Funders
UK
UK Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species