Research, Monitoring and Evaluation

The focus of research is to acquire good data that can be used in the conservation and business development of the complex Iwokrama ecosystem. Data is generated through socioeconomic, bio-physical and other studies and is managed with a spatial information system when appropriate. Iwokrama also seeks to recognize and utilise valuable traditional knowledge in research projects whenever possible

Iwokrama research also contributes to national and international sustainable forest management. It therefore includes trials and demonstrations of timber and non-timber plant products production systems and the understanding of issues with global implications such as carbon sequestration.

Research policies and protocols are aligned with national policies (e.g. biodiversity policy), and are sensitive to local social issues and traditional knowledge systems.

Monitoring and Evaluation

These critical elements of Iwokrama's mission are based upon the use of verifiable indicators at all levels of decision-making and include regional, landscape and ecosystem indicators, species and population indicators and community, socioeconomic and management-effectiveness indicators.

Moniroting is primarily focused on:

• Iwokrama Forest
• Iwokrama portion of the Georgetown-Lethem Road
• River Systems/Rupununi Wetlands