Associate Director for Natural Resources at the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Else Demeulenaere, delivered a captivating presentation at the XX International Botanical Congress, held in Madrid, Spain.

The congress, a global gathering of over 3000 botanists, plant scientists, and conservationists, provided a platform for researchers to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and advance botanical knowledge.

As the lone presenter from Micronesia, Demeulenaere shared her latest findings in her work with the flora of the islands, specifically highlighting the findings of her work with the håyun lågu tree (Serianthes nelsoni) on Guam.

According to Demeulenaere, the large-scale congress only occurs every six years and gave her a chance to talk with other botanists and make connections about our region and the plants we have.

“It was great to hear other botanists talk and see that there were similar dispersal roads that the species that we studied took,” added Demeulenaere. “This is probably because there were the same ocean currents that all the seeds took. It was cool to see those similarities across the different talks.”

In addition to the håyun lågu presentation, Demeulenaere also presented during a discussion on decolonization. Her presentation entitled, “Biocultural Heritage of Litekyan in Guam: Connecting Stories of Spirituality and Resistance” highlighted the importance of preserving biodiversity and understanding their cultural importance in the face of the military buildup on Guam.

Demeulenaere also organized one of the 350 concurrent symposiums hosted during the congress and highlighted the discussion on the science of the Indo-Pacific region.