CONSERVATION OF THE PEMBA PALM, PEMBA ISLAND, TANZANIA

The charismatic and little known Pemba Palm (Dypsis pembana) is found only on the small island of Pemba, 50km of the coast of Tanzania. With fewer than 3,000 Pemba Palms thought to exist, and their remaining habitat under threat the Global Trees Campaign have initiated a project, in partnership with the Department of Commercial Crops, Fruits and Forestry (DCCFF), Zanzibar to reinforce wild populations and raise awareness of the need for conserving the Pemba Palm.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Pemba Palm, which is thought to have a population of fewer than 3,000, is mainly confined to small forest patches in the North of Pemba island, such as the 1,975 ha Ngezi Vumawimbi Forest Reserve. The reserve also hosts Zanthoxylum holtzianum, a very little known medicinal tree species thought until recently to occur only in mainland Tanzania. Other significant forest patches in the north of the island include the Msitu Mkuu Forest Reserve (300 ha) and Ras Kiuyu Forest (approx 200 ha) which also host Zanthoxylum holtzianum and endemic Aloe pembana. In addition to plant species, these protected areas harbour significant varieties of endemic mammals, reptiles and birds such as the Pemba Flying Fox, Pemba Blue Duiker, Pemba Scops Owl, and the Pemba Day Gecko.

The increasing human population in the area is leading to unsustainable logging, over-collection of forest products and clearance of the forest for agriculture. In addition, forest fires and the invasive plant Maesopsis eminii are threatening native species. In response to these threats the Global Trees Campaign, working with local partner the Department of Commercial Crops, Fruits and Forestry (DCCFF), Zanzibar has begun work to increase the long-term security of the Pemba Palm’s habitat, reduce threats to the species and establish tree nurseries in local communities.

A lack of knowledge of the status of the Pemba Palm is one major challenge to its conservation and the project will carry out surveys to assess the current number and distribution of trees in the wild, as well other species such as Zanthoxylum holtzianum.

There will be three community nurseries, which aim to produce a total of 20,000 seedlings of threatened native trees including the Pemba Palm. These nurseries will also allow local people to grow fruit and timber trees, reducing collection pressure on forest resources.

Local communities will be further involved with the conservation of the area through awareness raising activities in schools and communities, which will ensure that local people are kept informed and are able to play a key part in the project. Community members will be trained in effective forest fire management and will continue to take part in the eradication of the invasive plant Maesopsis eminii.

Read more about FFI’s work with the Pemba flying fox

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