CONSERVING ORPHANED THREATENED MALAGASY TREE SPECIES BY INTEGRATION INTO REFORESTATION AND RESTORATION PROJECTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Some of Madagascar’s exceptionally diverse tree flora do not occur in any protected areas and survive only in small forest fragments that are difficult to conserve. These species can be conserved ex-situ, but, while such collections are important, they are no substitute for wild plants surviving in natural, functional ecosystems. An alternative option proposed here is to integrate these species into reforestation projects in their home landscape. With a focus on taxa with recent robust taxonomic frameworks, we will locate threatened species not represented in secure protected areas, work with locals to monitor phenology and collect seeds for propagation, and either sell the resultant seedlings to tree planting projects or use them for ex-situ conservation and to reinforce wild populations. The project’s success will encourage and stimulate land managers to replace exotics in tree planting initiatives with natives, including nursery-grown material of threatened species.
GOAL
The goal of this project is to demonstrate an approach that conserves threatened Malagasy trees by enabling their integration into reforestation and restoration efforts. In a context of ensuring that the risk of extinction of at least 20 Critically Endangered/Endangered (CR/EN) Malagasy tree species, not occurring in any secure protected area, is reduced primarily through inclusion in reforestation and restoration projects and, secondarily, by reinforcing wild populations and securing a safety net population.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE 1
At least 1500 seedlings of each of 20
threatened (CR and EN) tree species,
including precious wood species
(Dalbergia and Diospyros) and
Sapotaceae, not included in any
protected area (PAs), are integrated
into reforestation and restoration
projects (with at least 80% survival
after 6 months)
OBJECTIVE 2
At least 100 seedlings of each of 20 threatened (CR and EN) tree species, including precious wood species (Dalbergia and Diospyros) and Sapotaceae, not included in any PAs are included in ex-situ conservation collections (with at least 80% survival after 12 months)
OBJECTIVE 3
At least 400 seedlings of each of 20 threatened (CR and EN) tree species, including precious wood species (Dalbergia and Diospyros) and Sapotaceae, not included in any PAs are used to reinforce of wild populations (with at least 80% survival after 12 months)
OBJECTIVE 4
Reforestation and reforestation projects integrating native species, especially rare native species, gain favorable recognition
TARGET SPECIES
The tree species targeted in this project are all species that are recognized as being threatened and also not represented in any protected area that occur in the four regions where MBG and its collaborators operate five site-based conservation projects. The link below shows the list of these species in each of the four Regions in which these conservation sites are located, along with their risk of extinction status.
PROJECT LOCATION
This project will be implemented in four different Regions in which the socio-economic and cultural context of the rural communities in is broadly similar. Within the Regions of DIANA, Analamanga, Alanjirofo, Atsinanana activities will be supported using our existing capacity associated with protected areas that we manage in these landscapes.
