Understanding how populations of agriculturally important species respond to climate change and human activities is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies.
The CLOVES project, a collaborative effort between CIRAD, IRD, and POLINELA (Politeknik Negeri Lampung in South Sumatra), aims to address this challenge by using a population of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) as a model species. In the initial phase, Jakty Kusuma from POLINELA is leading an expedition to collect clove samples from their natural geographic range in the Moluccas archipelago from 05 February to 10 March 2024. Cloves exhibit significant variations utilized by local farmers, contributing to their economic importance. Under the Nagoya Protocol framework and with valid Material Transfer Agreements, these samples will undergo genetic analysis at POLINELA Laboratory and IRD. This analysis will enable the research teams to trace the evolutionary history of clove populations and predict their future adaptability in the context of climate change. The CLOVES project also involves two local universities in the Moluccas: Universitas Pattimura in Ambon, that has a cooperation agreement with IRD, and Universitas Halmahera in Halmahera.
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