CONSERVATION OF MAGNOLIAS IN CUBA

The Global Trees Campaign is working with the National Botanical Gardens in Havana on the conservation of Cuba’s eight Critically Endangered magnolias.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Cuba is host to eight Critically Endangered Magnolia species, none of which are currently held in ex situ collections anywhere in the world. One of the most significant challenges facing the ex situ conservation of Cuban Magnoliaceae is that the species tend to occur in montane and cloud forest ecosystems, therefore requiring very different conditions to those that are found in botanic gardens in Cuba.

To facilitate the establishment of an ex situ collection, the National Botanic Garden in Havana has been working to assess each Critically Endangered species in the wild. By mapping each population and conducting habitat assessments it is hoped that more information on each species can be gathered and those located outside of the National System of Protected Areas can be identified.

The project has also been working to raise awareness of the most threatened species through an environmental education campaign. Local people are also receiving training in Magnolia identification and conservation. It is hoped that collaboration with local people will improve knowledge of traditional methodologies for propagating Magnolia species, which may improve chances of acclimatization in the botanic garden.

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