SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE LANSAN TREE - A FLAGSHIP SPECIES FOR SAINT LUCIA'S FOREST

Saint Lucia is home to the largest remaining population of the lansan tree (Protium attenuatum), a rainforest tree, which produces an economically and culturally important resin. The Global Trees Campaign are supporting the Government of Saint Lucia, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry and Fisheries to lay the groundwork for the development of a sustainable management plan for the tree.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The lansan tree (Protium attenuatum) is currently listed by IUCN as Data Deficient. Although depleted across much of its range in the Lesser Antilles Windward Islands (Eastern Caribbean), recent surveys in Saint Lucia indicate that this small country currently holds the largest remaining population.

The lansan tree produces a valuable white resin that is both culturally and economically important and is harvested by many local people. The valuable white resin is tapped by slashing the bark, and over-tapping can swiftly lead to trees becoming infected and rotting. This is becoming a significant problem - surveys from 2009 show that many trees have been weakened or killed by hundreds of seemingly indiscriminate cuts.

Through the Global Trees Campaign, FFI is supporting the Government of Saint Lucia, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry and Fisheries to conduct research into various aspects of tapping and resin trade. This initial phase will lay the groundwork for the introduction of a sustainable management system for lansan trees. The project aims to:

• Compare different resin harvesting regimes and their impact on both the health of the tree and on the amount, and quality, of resin extracted. Local resin tappers will be involved in these experiments and in the monitoring of the trees.

• Conduct market research to find out more about who buys and uses lansan resin, and what price it is sold for.

• Meet with local resin tappers to find out more about their resin harvesting methods and the importance of tapping to local people.

These data will then be used to develop a sustainable management strategy for lansan trees in Saint Lucia.

Update: December 2011

There is reportedly a “buzz of excitement” in the Saint Lucia Forestry Department about the project, how it can help local communities and thus strengthen the political argument for conserving forests.

During 2011, rigorous research into the impact of different tree-tapping methods and regimes has been conducted, with data collected weekly from 521 trees. Results are now being analysed to develop the optimum tapping regime.

Research into the market and consumer end of the trade has started with a socio-economic survey of lansan vendors at a market in Castries.

An additional activity is the incorporation of lansan seedlings in the Saint Lucian National Tree Planting Campaign, which aims to encourage public participation in the restoration of forests damaged by Hurricane Tomas. As part of this, a total of 5,000 lansan seedlings have been grown in five nurseries on the island.

Read more about this species on our Lansan tree profile page.

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