The Dalbergia ID App is an identification application for Dalbergia cochinchinensis and Dalbergia oliveri, which was developed based on the published Manual in Vietnamese. The App contains a full description of the two species, including species name, distribution maps, biological and ecological characteristics, conservation status, morphological features of mature trees and regenerated trees, and macroscopic features of the timbers. The interactive identification system used in the App is based on features of mature leaves, flowers, pods, and timber, which are visible by direct observation or with a hand-held magnifier. Colored photographs were taken and carefully selected to illustrate prominent features to enable the two species to be identified in the field.

As the App will be used to support law enforcement officials such as customs officials, forest rangers and environment policemen who are not familiar with the botanical terminology, definitions and explanations of the terms used, a full description of D. cochinchinensis or D. oliveri is also provided in App for guidance, as well as in the preparation of specimens for identification. The App can be installed in Android mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets for use and lookup to rapidly identify D. cochinchinensis and D. oliveri trees, timbers and timber products in the field.

Country name: Viet Nam

Project title: Strengthening the management and conservation of Dalbergia cochinchinensis and Dalbergia oliveri in Vietnam

Project duration: 36 months

Implementing agency: Center for Nature Conservation and Development

Related publications: Report on the Development of the Dalbergia ID App CCD

Authors of the news item: Nguyen Manh Ha, La Quang Trung, Dinh Thi Kim Van, Do Van Ban & Nguyen Tien Hiep.

Contact for further information: ha.nguyenba@gmail.com and trung.la@ccd.org.vn.