Scientists To Make Worldwide Database Of Tree DNA

New York, NY (AHN) - The New York Botanical Garden is thronged by scientists from around the globe this week after it announced a massive project to capture DNA from thousands of tree species around the world.

Participants from various countries will be involved in a two-year effort to create a database that catalogues some of the Earth's vast biodiversity, according to the Associated Press.

The participants hail from countries such as South Africa, India, and the United States.

The project known as TreeBOL, or Tree Barcode of Life, will assemble a database that will help identify the exact location of many of the world's existing plant species.

The database will help in conservation and protecting the environment.

The Bronx garden received a grant of nearly $600,000 for the TreeBOL project, which scientists estimate will take at least two years to complete.

Areas to be explored include the Northeastern U.S. and parts of Malaysia, India and South Africa, as well as various endangered tree species.