CONSERVATION OF ENDEMIC TREE OF OMETEPE ISLAND, NICARAGUA

Not much is known about Ardisia ometepensis other than it is endemic to the cloud forest on Ometepe island, Nicaragua, where it is believed to be uncommon. Though our local NGO partner on Ometepe, we aim to carry out the first ever surveys of the species, raise awareness of the uniqueness of the tree amongst local communities and develop a locally-run tree nursery to provide seedlings for planting.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The island of Ometepe is located in the centre of Lake Nicaragua and, with an area of 276 km2, is one of the world’s largest freshwater islands. It supports a range of forest types but, despite being recognized as a national biodiversity priority in Nicaragua, very little is known about its flora and fauna.

Ardisia ometepensis is a tree found only in cloud forest on the slopes of a single volcano on Ometepe island. Given its very limited distribution, should agriculture on the island increase the species would certainly be under serious threat. As well as being important in its own right, its distinctive appearance and uniqueness to the island makes it an ideal flagship for the conservation of this highly biodiverse area.

Beginning in 2008, the Global Trees Campaign has been working through FFI’s partner on Ometepe, Fundacion Entre Volcanes (FEV), to gather information on the status and ecology of A. ometepensis and to work with local communities to raise awareness of the importance of the tree.

PROJECT UPDATE: August 2010 - April 2011

In its second phase the project willl focus on surveys and further data-gathering of Ardisia ometepensis to allow a population estimate and Red List assessment to be made, and on the development of a multi-stakeholder reforestation plan for the lower slopes of the volcano, to take pressure off the remaining natural forest.

FIRST PHASE: 2008 - September 2009

The project began in 2008 and carried out a number of activities during its first phase. The project:

• Established six research plots to monitor the dynamics of this almost unknown species in the forest.


• Set up a tree nursery to produce seedlings of the tree, which were given to schools and villages on the island to grow. Over 9,000 seedlings of seven tree species were produced and planted out on degraded land.
• Conducted awareness and educational activities in local communities with the aim of encouraging communities to protect and value this species, and to improve their stewardship of the land. Before the project, communities were totally unaware that the forest contained a tree found nowhere else in the world. Activities have included workshops, community film screenings and discussions, an investigation of the Legend of Forest Plants, and visits by school children to the cloud forest. Training on the unique wildlife of the volcano, including the endemic tree, has been delivered to 25 tourist guides.

Data from the project fed into the proposal to declare Ometepe Island an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This was submitted to UNESCO by the Government of
Nicaragua in September 2009 and the island was formally designated a Biosphere Reserve in June 2010. The establishment of a Biosphere Reserve provides an excellent framework for addressing the principal threats to the key habitats of the island (expansion of agriculture, hunting and capture of wildlife, uncontrolled tourism and the development of coastal properties).

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