Dr. Pieter Baas is a distinguished expert in wood anatomy and plant systematics at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, Netherlands, one of the world's leading institutions for natural history research housing approximately 43 million specimens. As a key specialist at this internationally renowned research institute and museum, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of botanical science through his extensive work with the National Herbarium of the Netherlands. His career has been dedicated to the precise identification and classification of plant specimens, particularly focusing on the anatomical characteristics of wood across diverse species. Dr. Baas has established himself as a critical resource for international conservation efforts through his specialized expertise in timber identification.
Dr. Baas has made substantial contributions to the field of wood anatomy through his work with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), where his expertise forms part of the comprehensive Timber Identification Directory for CITES-listed species. His research has been instrumental in developing systematic approaches for identifying protected timber species, providing essential scientific support for international efforts to combat illegal logging and protect endangered tree species. By establishing reliable methods for wood identification, his work has directly contributed to strengthening enforcement capabilities for conservation authorities worldwide. His systematic documentation of anatomical features across diverse plant families has created valuable reference frameworks that support both scientific research and practical conservation applications.
Beyond his technical contributions, Dr. Baas has played a vital role in maintaining and expanding the extensive botanical collections at Naturalis, which include approximately 4 million specimens from the former Leiden University herbarium with particular strengths in Southeast Asia and the Netherlands. His expertise continues to support global biodiversity research through Naturalis's extensive digital collections accessible via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. As a respected authority in his field, his work bridges historical botanical knowledge with contemporary conservation needs, ensuring that anatomical expertise remains relevant to modern environmental challenges. Dr. Baas's ongoing contributions help maintain the Netherlands' leadership position in botanical research while supporting international efforts to preserve global forest biodiversity through scientifically rigorous identification methods.
