For Further Understanding
How did you like the story of Prof. Janzen and the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio)?
This page helps you review and deepen your understanding of the story. Some of the content is available only in this study guide.
More details
Prof. Janzen and INBio made the best use of the value of nature to conserve the natural environment. Here we explain more about their approaches.
Bioprospecting
Bioprospecting is a word that combines bio, which is related to life; and prospecting, which means searching for mineral deposits. Bioprospecting, therefore, means to search for something of value in deposits of biodiversity. One example is collecting and analyzing a large number of living creatures and plants to help a pharmaceutical company develop new drugs derived from living organisms.
The key to analysis is correct identification of species because microorganisms contained in a species can easily lead to misidentification. When we have an identified species with promising characteristics, we can search its habitat for closely-related species.
To ensure reliable identification of species, INBio uses the specimens they collected and the inventory. Staff in the bioprospecting division can use the vast amount of detailed information freely to identify species. When they find an unidentified species, staff in the inventory division prioritize identification in cooperation with researchers around the world.
For a fee, INBio is willing to use its expertise to conduct analyses and make use of biological resources for individuals and organizations.
Identification of species
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is tourism directed towards natural environments, and is one way to create value from nature. However, approaches without a sensible plan may damage nature and the charm of sightseeing destinations.
INBio provides information that helps people involved in ecotourism develop programs in which visitors can enjoy nature while observing good manners. For example, in cooperation with the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), a Costa Rican government institute, INBio conducted research aiming to create informative material, guidebooks, and other publications related to biodiversity in Costa Rica. The results of this are available to people all around the world through publications and the Internet. "A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica" is called the bible of birds of Costa Rica and is broadly used by nature guides and tourists inside and outside the country. Other guidebooks cover mammals, beetles, scorpions, butterflies, and foliage plants; and there are also guidebooks specialized in individual conservation areas.
Guidebooks
Reference
Websites
Blue Planet Prize
- Blue Planet Prize Mini-biography Videos of Winners
- 2014 (23rd) Prof. Daniel H. Janzen & Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBio) <Japanese subtitles are available.>
- Blue Planet Prize Video of Commemorative Lectures by the past Winners
- Conservation of Tropical Wildlands through Non-damaging Biodiversity ~
- How to promote awareness of the value of biodiversity in a society
- Blue Planet Prize TV Program
- 2014 OUR BLUE PLANET -Pioneering a Sustainable Future-