DNA Barcoding of Biodiversity in Southern Africa

Call for Participation in a Regional Meeting

7-8 April 2006, Cape Town, South Africa

MEETING AGENDA

Friday, 7 April 2006:

Session Chair: Scott Miller, Smithsonian Institution/CBOL

9:00 am : Welcome to SANBI: Gideon Smith, SANBI

9:15 am : Overview of DNA Barcoding, its relation to other biodiversity initiatives and its use in taxonomy (ppt, 900Kb): Scott Miller, CBOL and Smithsonian Institution

9:45 am : The Process of DNA Barcoding and management of barcode data (ppt, 17Mb): Bob Hanner, University of Guelph

10:15 am : Barcoding, bioinformatics, and taxonomic research infrastructure (ppt, 4.2Mb): Jim Edwards, GBIF

10:45 am : Coffee/tea break

Session Chair: Richard Smith, BioNET International

11:00 am: National and International Networks for DNA Barcoding (ppt. 200Kb): Simon Tillier, National Museum, Paris

11:20 am : Introduction to the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (ppt, 600Kb): David Schindel, CBOL

11:40 am : Applications of DNA barcoding, with national examples:

• Biodiversity conservation and taxonomic applications (ppt, 18Mb): José Alves-Gomes, INPA
• Control of invasive species and agricultural pests (ppt, 200Kb): Scott Miller
• Control of disease vectors (ppt, 60Kb): Richard Lane, Natural History Museum, London
• Forensics and illegal trade in wildlife products (ppt, 3Mb): Helida Oyieke, National Museums of Kenya

1:00 pm: Lunch

2:30 pm: Session Chair: Connal Eardley, BioNET-SAFRINET

Setting the scene for break-out group discussions of Regional Opportunities

Topics for discussion in break-out groups:

• What are the greatest needs and opportunities for employing DNA barcoding?
• For which scientific problems?
• For which socio-economic issues?
• How should DNA barcoding be implemented in the region?
• In which research institutes?
• In which taxonomic groups?
• By which national or regional organizations (government ministries, NGOs)?

3:00 pm: First break-out sessions organized according to area of application

Break-out Group A. Environmental issues/conservation/taxonomy
Moderator: Helida Oyieke; Rapporteur: José Alves-Gomes

Break-out Group B. Agriculture & pests
Moderator: Richard Lane; Rapporteur: Scott Miller

4:15 pm : Coffee/tea break

4:30 pm : Discussions resume in break-out sessions

5:30 pm: Session Chair: Connal Eardley

Readout from rapporteurs of first break-out sessions, Group Discussion

6:30 pm : Adjourn for day

7:30 pm : Dinner for all participants at hotel

Saturday, 8 April 2006:

9:00 am: Session Chair: Helida Oyieke, National Museums of Kenya

Setting the scene: Second break-out group discussion of Regional Capacity and Needs

Topics for discussion in Break-out groups: Regional capacity and assessment of regional needs:

• What is the region’s capacity for generating and using DNA barcodes?
• What are the principal obstacles to generating and using DNA barcodes?
• What information resources (e.g., databases, e-voucher collections, digital libraries, internet connectivity, etc.) are available for generating and using DNA barcodes?
• What structures (infrastructure, networks, programs, regulations, legal agreements) need to be in place for the effective use of barcoding?
• What issues of intellectual and data property rights are important for generating and using barcode data? Who owns the data, who can access it, who can utilize it? Are there reasons why research organizations in the region should or should not contribute to their barcode data to a public database?
• What should the highest priorities be for developing capacity in southern Africa to generate and use barcode data?

9:30 am: Second break-out sessions

Break-out Group C. Generating barcode data (the supply side)
Capacity and needs concerning: research infrastructure; specimen collections; networks of researchers; human resource training opportunities; other aspects of scientific capacity
Moderator: José Alves-Gomes; Rapporteur: Simon Tillier

Break-out Group D. Using barcode data (the demand side)
Capacity and needs concerning: policies, regulations, legal agreements concerning species identification; permits for collecting/exporting/importing specimens; funding programs; technology development; regulation; and other political/managerial issues
Moderator: Jim Edwards; Rapporteur: Helida Oyieke

10:45 am : Coffee/tea break

11:00 am : Discussions resume in break-out sessions

12:15 pm: Session Chair: Helida Oyieke

Readout from rapporteurs of second break-out sessions, Group Discussion

1:00 pm : Lunch

2:30 pm: Plenary discussion:
Moderator; Richard Lane; Rapporteur: David Schindel

• Priorities and needs
• Formation of regional networks
• Synergy with other biodiversity initiatives (e.g., GTI, GBIF, BioNET-SAFRINET, SABONET)
• Longer-term goals, milestones, next steps

4:15 pm : Coffee/tea break

4:30 pm: Final discussion of priorities and next steps:
Moderator: José Alves-Gomes; Rapporteur: David Schindel

6:00 pm : Summary and conclusions: Scott Miller

6:30 pm : Adjourn for day