UG Plays Critical Role in Discovery of 600 Plant Species, 713 Vertebrate Species

The University of Guyana (UG) played a pivotal role in a groundbreaking biodiversity survey of the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor in southern Guyana, led by the Field Museum. This extensive survey led to the discovery of over 600 plant species and 713 vertebrate species, with 22 species recorded for the first time in Guyana and 23 potentially new to science.

The findings, revealed at an event held at the Umana Yana on Monday, December 2nd, underscore the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor’s ecological significance. This 1.3-million-hectare expanse boasts some of the most intact and diverse ecosystems in the Guiana Shield, home to thriving species populations critical to maintaining ecological balance. The survey documented over 1,300 species, including apex predators and keystone species.

Dr. Arianne Harris and Ms. Huichang Yang processing mammal specimens. (Photo: Nigel Pitman)

The rapid inventory, commissioned by Guyana’s Protected Areas Commission, involved an interdisciplinary team comprising 25 biologists, three social scientists, and one geologist from six Guyanese and seven international institutions. The Guyanese field team included members from the University of Guyana, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), Conservation International (CI-Guyana), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS-Guyana), South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS), Kanashen Amerindian Protected Area, Masakeñarî, and Parabara. Indigenous expertise was also key to the success of this endeavour, with more than 50 Amerindian experts from the nearby communities of Masakeñarî, Parabara, and Cashew Island working alongside the research team. These Indigenous experts shared a wealth of ecological knowledge about the region’s biodiversity, geography, and history, contributing valuable insights not previously documented in Western science. The collaborative approach with Indigenous communities also highlighted the importance of preserving traditional knowledge systems, which encompass generations of observations and practical ecological understanding.

UG scientists played an integral role throughout the project. Mrs. Kaslyn Collins collaborated with the plant team to describe vegetation types and catalogue specimens. Mrs. Devya Hemraj-Naraine was instrumental on the fish team, helping to document aquatic species, including previously unrecorded fish in Guyana. Dr. Arianne Harris made invaluable contributions to the mammal team’s efforts, which included studying the area’s medium- and large-bodied mammals.

Mrs. Kaslyn Collins conducting a plant survey in the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor. (Photo: Kerry Bhola)

Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj worked with the environmental DNA (eDNA) team, facilitating the processing of eDNA samples at the University of Guyana. For the first time in Guyana’s conservation history, the entire process of eDNA extraction to sequencing was conducted locally to produce a species list that supplemented the findings of the other teams. This represented a transformative step for scientific research in Guyana, enabling the country to tackle conservation challenges with homegrown expertise.

“Completing such a large-scale rapid inventory is a feat in and of itself. To have such a diverse team with so many of our very own scientists integrally involved and adding eDNA analyses to our local skill repertoire is awe-inspiring and an extraordinary accomplishment for biodiversity conservation in Guyana,” said Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj, Director of UG’s Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity.

Mrs. Devya Hemraj-Naraine showcasing the extraordinary fish diversity. (Photo: Devya Hemraj)

This remarkable biodiversity survey demonstrates the power of collaboration among local, national, and international stakeholders. It provides a critical foundation for informed conservation strategies that can protect Guyana’s natural treasures for future generations. The University of Guyana remains committed to advancing scientific innovation and environmental stewardship, ensuring that its work continues to benefit both Guyana and the broader global scientific community.