Institute of Biodiversity Conservation

Published scientific article (Part of a PhD research) on “Chloroplast DNA haplotype diversity and postglacial recolonization of Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel. in Ethiopia” revealed that recolonization of Ethiopia by Hagenia after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was from the south of Ethiopia and possibly south western Ethiopia

The chloroplast haplotypes found in Hagenia showed a clear pattern of congruence between their geographical distribution and genealogical relationships. Very low haplotype diversity within populations and a very high population differentiation was observed, reflecting very low mixing between recolonizing lineages. Restricted gene flow through seeds, rare long-distance dispersal, contiguous range expansion and mutation shaped the genetic structure of Hagenia. Fossil pollen records suggested that the trend of postglacial recolonization of Hagenia was first in the south and latter went to the north in Ethiopia.

Montreal, 1 December 2009 – On 24 November, Darwin200 partners—the British Council, the John R. Murray Charitable Trust and the Charles Darwin Trust—hosted the celebrations commemorating the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of the Species. The key theme of this event, held in the historic rooms at 50 Albemarle Street in London, from which it was first published on 24 November 1859, focused on how Darwin understood that he was seeking not the origin of species, but the nature of biological diversity. It was his work that set the research trajectory leading to our present-day understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Ahmed Djoghlaf, one of the distinguished guests at the event, said: “Darwin remarked that ‘it is an intolerable thought that [humans] and all other sentient beings are doomed to complete annihilation’. The unprecedented loss of biodiversity compounded by climate change will soon make into an intolerable reality the intolerable thought of the man that we are gathered here today to celebrate, 150 years after the publication of On the Origin of Species. Today, the rate of species extinction may be 1,000 times higher than the natural background rate.

Two thirds of all ecosystems reviewed by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment are in an advanced state of degradation. Climate change is emerging as one of the most significant drivers of biodiversity loss.” The historic event organized by Darwin200 and Biodiversity is Life – IYB-UK will take the year-long activities in celebration of the work of Charles Darwin in the United Kingdom from the origin of species to the future of species – the launch of a partnership to support the International Year of Biodiversity 2010.

[ December 1, 2009; ] The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is ‘Universal Access and Human Rights’. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV/AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.