Chapter 25

LINKINGINSIGHTSFROM

ECOLOGICALRESEARCH

WITHBIOPROSPECTINGTO

PROMOTECONSERVATION,

ENHANCERESEARCHCAPACITY,

ANDPROVIDEECONOMICUSES

OFBIODIVERSITY

ThomasA.Kursar,ToddL.Capson,LuisCubilla-Rios,

DanielA.Emmen,WilliamGerwick,MahabirP.Gupta,MariaV.Heller,

KerryMcPhail,EduardoOrtega-Barría,DoraI.Quiros,LuzI.Romero,

PabloN.Solis,andPhyllisD.Coley

OVERVIEW

Bioprospectin ghas frequently been cited as a sustainable use of biodiversity that should also provide a motivation
for conservation. Nevertheless, in the tropical, biodiversity-rich regions of the world the level of bioprospecting is
much below the potential, with the result that bioprospectin ghas had limited impact on conservation. Our group
has developed a bioprospecting program in Panama that has addressed these critical issues. The program was ini-
tiated using the insights from 20 years of basic ecological research to enhance the likelihood of finding active
compounds. In addition, instead of sendin gsamples abroad, most of the research in our pro gram is carried out
in Panamanian laboratories. As a result, many youn gPanamanian scientists are trained. Throu gh this and other
mechanisms Panama receives immediate benefits from investigation into the uses of its biodiversity. Over the long
term, such research may lead to intellectual property that assists with establishin gnew industry in Panama that is
based upon sustainable uses of biodiversity. Additionally, we have linked our bioprospectin gefforts to conservation
via transparent communication about the program’s use of biodiversity, resulting in a self-evident need to promote
conservation. The Panama program has also made direct conservation efforts in a newly established protected area,
Coiba National Park, an area in which we also collect. Hence, beginning with insights from ecological research, both
conservation and sustainable development benefit from the enhanced bioprospectin geffort that we have established
in Panama.