Home page
PROJECT MISSION
Dr. Miroslav M. Grandtner and his team are well on their way to creating the first global portrait of tree biodiversity, a science-based reference with entries in Latin to help to eliminate the confusion of multiple common names for the same tree or multiple trees marketed with the same name. The Latin synonyms are cross referenced, and the names are also provided in English, French, Spanish and other languages when available. The dictionary provides a user guide written in English.
(During his research for this important tool, Dr. Grandtner discovered that many, many French and English tree names had never been standardized; thus, he added this arduous task to the dictionary project. Based on the principles he developed during his research, he designated an appropriate botanical name for each.)
As a quantitative baseline of all known native genera, species, sub-species and varieties, the dictionary may be used to monitor, (among others) the effects of changing climate, clear cutting, over-harvesting and single species plantations at a time when scientists are encouraging sustainability.
«Sustainable use means that the utilization of forest resources must respect the ecological limits of production for the particular ecosystem, and maintain its biodiversity. Because forest ecosystems are dominated by trees, it is a primary task to establish a baseline for studying and monitoring the dendroflora. There was no existing inventory of the dendroflora of North America, and no baseline data were available for a monitoring system of its biodiversity until the publication of WDT’s first volume, Elsevier's Dictionary of Trees, Volume 1: North America. Ensuing volumes will provide the baselines for remaining continents» (Dr. Miroslav M. Grandtner).
The dictionary gives the information to inventory, thus monitor and maintain, global biodiversity. This is critical as forests provide immeasurable resources including food, medicine, forage, resins, gums, lumber, firewood and paper, as well as capture and sequester atmospheric carbon and contribute to the global production of oxygen.
WDT may also serve as a guide to users such as scientists, individuals, and those who are collecting for seed banks and storage of genetic material; or for those considering different plantations as the composition of the present vegetation zones is expected to change as does the climate; locating species in like zones; or studying species distribution while considering carbon storage.
The dictionary’s multilinguistic synthesis provides more possibilities for use in many disciplines and cultures; consequently, it encourages the global cooperation necessary to protect biodiversity. In a world community, this reference is essential to users such as forestry students, linguists, translators, botanists, environmentalists, researchers, ecologists, pharmaceutical researchers, urban environmental planners, wood collectors and newcomers to various countries.
FINANCIAL STRUCTURE AND STATEMENT OF NEED
Addressing issues related to biodiversity demands accurate records of life forms to provide legitimate baseline data; therefore, researchers and editorial staff must be engaged to secure the data and to validate the names in Latin, English, and French. This project depends on donations from individuals, private and public organizations and businesses as well as governments.
Every dollar that the WDT Society receives is used for researching and editing. Nothing is used for operational costs; in fact, the members of the Society, including the author/coordinator, as well as the scientific consultants and collaborators, receive no remuneration.
All proceeds from the sale of Volume 1 are re-invested in the project, which is realized in partnership with Laval University and supported by the non-profit charitable WDT Society and Friends of World Dictionary of Trees Society .
The initiative is extensive, volunteers are many, and interest as well as appreciation are continually growing; consequently, your contribution would be a lasting gift to the world. Tax receipts will be issued in Quebec, Canada and the United States as WDT is registered in all. Copies of Canadian, and Quebec Registration and U. S. 501 (c) (3) documentation are available upon request.
Please see gift options by clicking at the bottom of this page.