Botanic Gardens Conservation International The world’s largest plant conservation network Gardens Growing Together A case study from Malawi Dr Paul Smith, Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International Background • BGCI’s Global System for the cost effective conservation and use of rare and threatened plant species • 3,000 botanic gardens and arboreta • 60,000 plant scientists and horticulturists • Expertise deployed where needed • Large vocational training programme related to the conservation and cultivation of indigenous species Background RBG Kew Background RBG Kew Background RBG Kew Background • Zero tree species extinctions • All critically endangered tree species conserved in situ and/or backed up in botanic gardens, arboreta or seed banks • 120 species protected in 2018 http://globaltrees.org/ Background Background • Mulanje cedar (Widdringtonia whytei) • Malawi’s national tree • Grows to 40m height and ±1 m dbh • Excellent timber (construction, furniture, panelling, wood crafts) • Wood is resistant to termites, wood borers, fungal attack • Fragrant • Exploited for over 100 years • Now categorised by IUCN as Critically Endangered Threats to the cedar Diagram: Forestry Research Institute of Malawi Threats to the cedar Threats to the cedar • 2004: Estimated 1482 ha of cedar (FRIM survey) • 2014: Estimated 67,000 mature live cedars on the mountain, and 25,000 dead standing trees (FRIM survey) • 2014: Ban on all harvesting of cedar implemented by Government of Malawi • 2017: 7 mature live cedars on the mountain (DI survey) • 2018: No mature cedars on the mountain (DI survey) Photo Morgan Trimble Opportunities • 66.2 ha of cedar planted on Zomba mountain from 1907-present day • 76.7 ha of cedar planted on the Viphya plateau 1951-1961 • Cedar stand near Iringa in Tanzania (planted in 1920s) • Cedar grows in botanic gardens in Kenya, New Zealand and Indonesia (Bogor!) • But believed to be impossible to cultivate by local people around Mulanje Opportunities • Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust active for the past 15 years (World Bank GEF endowment) • MMCT restoration programme for past 5 years (limited success) • Tourism well developed on the mountain • National tree status • BGCI wide network of expertise in conifer conservation and cultivation Project impact Photo: Morgan Trimble The Mulanje cedar is a sustainably managed commercial product, generating income for local households and the Malawian economy, and no longer threatened in the wild Project outcome Photo: Morgan Trimble Income from Mulanje cedar propagation supports Malawian households currently dependent on unsustainable harvesting of the cedar, and prospects of the cedar becoming a sustainable forest product are improved 1. Optimal growing conditions Optimal cedar growing conditions characterised to improve reforestation success on Mulanje Mountain and to define areas suitable for cedar cultivation elsewhere in Malawi 1. Optimal growing conditions Optimal cedar growing conditions characterised to improve reforestation success on Mulanje Mountain and to define areas suitable for cedar cultivation elsewhere in Malawi 1. Optimal growing conditions Optimal cedar growing conditions characterised to improve reforestation success on Mulanje Mountain and to define areas suitable for cedar cultivation elsewhere in Malawi • Genetics studies carried by US Forest Service (2017) • Mycorrhizal/pathology studies carried out by Chicago Botanic Garden (2018) • Fire protection and weed control studies being established (2019) 2. Improved horticultural protocols Improved horticultural protocols developed for the Mulanje cedar to improve survival and growth rates in community nurseries 3. Income generation Cedar propagation in community nurseries generates income for local households • 800,000 seedlings grown by 10 nurseries in 10 different communities around Mulanje in 2018 & 2019 • Seedlings sold to MMCT for restoration at US$0.10 each. 150 part-time workers earning $250-300 each per year. • 336,000 seedlings were planted on the mountain in 2018 4. Promotion of the cedar Local and national cedar stakeholders work together with international experts to identify cedar markets, develop mechanisms for tapping into those markets and promote the cedar • 1 hour programme on Mulanje cedar on national TV • Newspaper headlines and features • British HC event attended by MPs and Chair of Science & Technology Committee • Meeting with Minister of Natural Resources, Director of Forestry and Director of FRIM • Cedar Growers & Planters Association created 5. Unsustainable exploitation halted Unsustainable exploitation and damage to natural stands of cedar significantly reduced as a result of local communities working with the authorities to protect, restore and sustainably manage the remaining natural stands of cedar on Mulanje mountain Tales of the unexpected • Vampires • Complete loss of seed-bearing trees on Mulanje mountain • Remaining seed sources on Zomba and Viphya must be protected until restored cedar produces seed (7-8 years) • Likely that improved silvicultural techniques will result in accelerated growth but still decades before wood can be harvested. Will farmers plant? • Potential opportunity to cultivate cedar hedges for essential oil extraction for perfume and cosmetics industry to be investigated Connecting People • Sharing Knowledge • Saving Plants Our Mission is to mobilise botanic gardens and engage partners in securing plant diversity for the well-being of people and the planet Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3BW, UK www.bgci.org @bgci.