Integración de herramientas tecnológicas para la identificación y conservación de especies arbóreas amenazadas en Costa Rica

The growing pressure on forest resources, illegal logging, and the lack of adequate tools for control and supervision, which allow precise identification of species, have generated a critical problem in the conservation of threatened timber species of high commercial value. In this context, the development of high-precision efficient technological tools that allow improving the identification of both live trees and wood is essential. Therefore, the objective of the project is to develop a standardized platform that integrates standardized images of plant morphology in the field (through the Pl@ntNet platform), images of wood cuts (through the XyloTron platform) and DNA sequencing extracted from wood or leaf parts (using the DNA Barcoding, BOLD, and GeneBank platforms), a precise and efficient identification will be sought. These highly complementary techniques will be integrated to generate and balance the knowledge necessary for their effective application. The project not only aims to strengthen the development and implementation of these technologies in the country but also directly support government efforts in the control, management, conservation and trafficking, mainly illegal, of wood. This effort is especially relevant for the regulation of tree species with precious wood or high commercial value, which Costa Rica has committed to protect after ratifying the latest CITES convention. The integration of these technological tools will contribute to improving the identification and monitoring of these species at the national and international level, strengthening conservation strategies, and sustainable use of forest resources.

Integrar herramientas tecnológicas avanzadas para la identificación, monitoreo y conservación de especies arbóreas amenazadas en Costa Rica, con el fin de mejorar la eficacia de las estrategias de conservación y contribuir a la preservación de la biodiversidad del país.

Gestión para la Conservación y restauración de Ecosistemas naturales