IUCN Species Survival Commission Cycads Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is one of six volunteer commissions of IUCN – The World Conservation Union, a union of sovereign states, government agencies and non- Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan Status governmental organisations. IUCN has three basic conservation objectives: to secure the conservation of nature, and especially of biological diversity, as an essential foundation for the future; to ensure that where the Earth’s natural resources are used this is done in a wise, Cycads equitable and sustainable way; and to guide the development of human communities towards ways of life that are both of good quality and in enduring harmony with other components of the biosphere. Edited by John Donaldson A volunteer network comprised of nearly 7,000 scientists, field researchers, government officials and conservation leaders from nearly every country of the world, the SSC membership is an unmatched source of information about biological diversity and its conservation. As such, SSC members provide technical and scientific counsel for conservation projects throughout the world and serve as resources to governments, international conventions and conservation organisations. The IUCN/SSC Action Plans assess the conservation status of species and their habitats, and specifies conservation priorities. The series is one of the world’s most authoritative sources of species conservation information available to nature resource managers, conservationists, and government officials around the world. IUCN Species Survival Commission Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 999 00 00, Fax: +41 22 999 00 15 E-mail: [email protected] http://iucn.org/themes/ssc/ IUCN Publications Services Unit 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, UK Tel: +44 1223 277894, Fax: +44 1223 277175 E-mail: [email protected] www.iucn.org/bookstore IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan Cycads © Caitlin Leach Dedication The Cycad Action Plan is dedicated to the memory of Cynthia Giddy who died tragically in a car accident on 16 June 1998. Cynthia was the past Chair of the Cycad Specialist Group and a great champion of cycad conservation. She was amongst the first to realise that cycads would die out in southern Africa unless drastic steps were taken to protect them and she fought passionately for more effective legislation and conservation action. Cynthia was particularly concerned about trade in wild-collected plants and she campaigned tirelessly against the illegal trade, standing as an expert witness in numerous court cases, and participating in meetings of the CITES Plants Committee. In addition, she guided nature conservation officers through the confusing process of cycad identification, and she promoted the cause of cycads as plants that were worthy of conservation. Cynthia’s passion for cycads led to the publication of her book, Cycads of South Africa, first published in 1974. Cynthia became involved with the Cycad Specialist Group soon after it was formed and served as Chair from 1994 to 1997. ii Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan Cycads Edited by John Donaldson IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group IUCN – The World Conservation Union 2003 iii The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. Published by: IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK Copyright: © 2003 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation: Donaldson, J.S. (ed.). (2003). Cycads. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. ix + 86 pp. ISBN: 2-8317-0699-8 Cover photo: The Critically Endangered Cycas tansachana, restricted to limestone outcrops in Thailand. Photo: J.S. Donaldson. Produced by: The NatureBureau, Newbury, UK Printed by: H. Charlesworth & Co Ltd., Huddersfield, UK Available from: IUCN Publications Services Unit 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, United Kingdom Tel: +44 1223 277894, Fax: +44 1223 277175 E-mail: [email protected] www.iucn.org/bookstore A catalogue of IUCN publications is also available. The text of this book is printed on 115 gsm Go Silk, which is rated as 4-star under the Eco-Check system and is made from 100% sustainable fibre sources using chlorine-free processes. iv Contents Foreword .....................................................................vii 5.3.1 Legislation .......................................... 30 5.3.2 Trade restrictions ............................... 30 Acknowledgements .....................................................viii 5.3.3 Species conservation plans ................. 30 5.3.4 Taxonomic studies ............................. 30 Executive Summary ......................................................ix 5.3.5 In situ protection ................................ 30 5.3.6 Ex situ conservation ........................... 30 Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................. 1 5.3.7 Sustainable harvest programmes........ 30 Chapter 2. Cycads of the World: An Overview .............. 3 Chapter 6. Regional Overview: New World ................. 31 2.1 Cycad taxonomy, diversity 6.1 Introduction ................................................. 31 and distribution .............................................3 6.2 Threats to New World cycads ..................... 32 2.1.1 Taxonomy and classification................ 3 6.2.1 United States and the West Indies ..... 32 2.1.2 Centres of diversity and endemism ...... 6 6.2.2 Mesoamerica ...................................... 32 2.2 Cycads and global biodiversity hotspots .......6 6.2.3 South America ................................... 34 2.3 Cycad interactions ......................................... 7 6.3 Addressing the threats ................................. 37 2.4 Diversity and threat ....................................... 7 6.4 Gaps and priorities ...................................... 38 Chapter 3. Regional Overview: Africa ........................... 9 Chapter 7. Cycads in Trade and Sustainable Use 3.1 Introduction ................................................... 9 of Cycad Populations................................................... 39 3.2 Threats to African cycads ............................ 10 7.1 Introduction ................................................. 39 3.2.1 Trade in wild-collected plants ............ 15 7.2 Current trade in cycads and cycad 3.2.2 Habitat destruction ............................ 15 products ....................................................... 39 3.2.3 Traditional use for magical/ 7.3 The restriction of trade by CITES ............... 43 medicinal purposes and for food ........ 16 7.4 The potential for artificial propagation ....... 43 3.2.4 Alien vegetation ................................. 16 7.4.1 Obtaining larger plants ...................... 44 3.2.5 Critically small populations ............... 17 7.5 Sustainable trade from wild populations ..... 44 3.3 Addressing the threats ................................. 17 7.5.1 Mexico................................................ 45 3.3.1 Trade restrictions ............................... 17 7.5.2 South Africa ....................................... 46 3.3.2 The protected area network ............... 18 7.5.3 China .................................................. 46 3.3.3 Ex situ collections in botanical 7.5.4 Australia............................................. 47 gardens ............................................... 18 7.5.5 The lessons learned ............................ 47 3.3.4 Sustainable use and community projects ............................................... 18 Chapter 8. Off-site Collections .................................... 48 3.3.5 Species recovery programmes ............ 19 8.1 Introduction ................................................. 48 8.2 The requirements for off-site Chapter 4. Regional Overview: Australia..................... 20 preservation ................................................. 48 4.1 Introduction ................................................. 20 8.3 Priorities for conservation ........................... 50 4.2 Threats to Australian cycads ....................... 20 8.4 Current status in off-site collections ............ 50 4.2.1 Fire ..................................................... 21 8.5 The role of private collections ..................... 52 4.2.2 Collection from the wild..................... 21 8.5.1 Plant records ...................................... 53 4.2.3 Habitat loss ........................................ 24 8.5.2 Conservation vs commercial 4.2.4 Other threats ...................................... 24 objectives ............................................ 53 4.3 Addressing the threats ................................. 24 8.6 Priorities for action .....................................