TIMELINE

The project is currently in its first 3-year phase (Oct. 2003 - Sept. 2006) but it is envisaged that it will continue in three additional phases (depending on available funding). The long term goals and perspectives of the project are outlined below.

Phase	Main activities during individual 3-year project phases	Major outputs (milestones) before next project phase
	Training of human resources to M.Sc. Level, and to first local degree	First M.Sc. Candidates graduated in Aarhus
	Initiate curriculum development particularly at UMSA	Project partners have contributed to upgrade Biology curriculum at UMSA in Bolivia
	Establish IT-infrastructure and train use of IT to analyze biodiversity data	Modern IT including use of international databases integrated in local biodiversity research
1	Initiate research in economically important plant species	Inventory of ecomomically important plant species in Ecuador completed
		Use and management of specific economically important plant species investigated
	Results from research during 1st phase dissimilated to end-users	Data regarding economically important plants published nationally and internationally
	Establish structures to continue institutional capacity building	Continuous exchange of experiences at various levels between partner institutions
	Training of human resources to M.Sc. and Ph.D. level	First Ph.D. candidates graduated in Aarhus , and local training to Master level initiated
	Upgrading of curriculum at local institutions with M.Sc. courses	Newly developed M.Sc. courses taught at partner institutions
	Facilitate access to biodiversity data via internet connected databases	Ecuador and Bolivia take advantage of international biodiversity facilities
2	Initiate research in ecology and diversity of forest communities in Bolivia	Field sites established and data gathering and analyses advancing
	Strengthen research in economically important species	Inventory of economically important plant species in Bolivia completed
		Comprehensive studies of economically important species including ecological aspects
	Results from 2nd phase disseminated in a variety of ways to end-users	Publication via reviewed journals, popular journals, internet web-pages, CD´s etc.
	Integrate partners into international biodiversity research collaborations	Research networks improve local research and contribute to partner institutions budgets
	Integrate upgraded human resources in research, teaching and training	Trained candidates active as reseachers/teachers, and guiding local M.Sc./Ph.D. Candidates
	Streghtenening of local curricula to full M.Sc. Programmes	Two of the partner institutions offering M.Sc. programmes meeting international standards
3	Develop increasingly sophisticated and independent research agendas	Major overviews of economically important species and biodiversity in the tropical Andes
	Investigate complex interactions between natural resources and man	New methods to apply biodiversity research and its results in sustainable development
	Results disseminated to end-users and stake-holders	Institutions, projects and communities involved in development prominent among end-users
	Involve partners in management and exploitation of national biodiversity	Funding accrued from international projects/networks promote activity at partner institutions
	Support upgraded human resources in securing local leadership	Project candidates promoting active and independent leadership at local institutions
	Supplement local curricula with courses specific for Ph.D. Students	Two of the partner institutions offering Ph.D. Programmes meeting international standards
4	Support locally defined and locally initiated research activities	Independent research results based on local initiatives
	Further project partners capacity to collaborate with third partners	Economic sustainability of research and teaching at partner institutions
	Integrate biodiversity research into national and regional agendas	Biodiversity information contribute to a more sustainable management of natural resources
	Support the involvement of project countries in biodiversity prospecting	Bolivia and Ecuador exploite the economic value of their biodiversity to benefit their citizens

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