Conservation of the Critically Endangered Ocotea monteverdensis and other threatened species in Costa Rica
Conservation of the Critically Endangered Ocotea monteverdensis and other threatened species in Costa Rica
Local Project Name: “Mi Ocotea”
Vision: To inspire the protection of endangered tree species in Monteverde.
Mission: Protect existing Ocotea monteverdensis trees, expand the population of the next generation of trees, and create community ownership of the species and its ecosystem.
In the previous blog we discussed some ideas to promote the conservation of Ocotea monteverdensis in the community. In this blog, we present the project "Mi Ocotea", a joint effort where different organizations have come together to carry out these proposals
Monteverde is famous for its forests, especially its cloud forest. But the area around Monteverde contains other forest types that are equally biodiverse. With several life zones existing here, over 3,000 plant species have been identified, many of them found only in this region (endemic). One endemic avocado tree, Ocotea monteverdensis, grows up to 35 m tall, with diameters up to 1 m. It is found principally between San Luis and Canitas/La Cruz, and its range covers a very narrow altitudinal band (1200-1500 m). This band is where most of the people in the Monteverde zone live. As a result this band has been seriously de-forested. In fact, our aerial survey across most of its range estimated that only about 800 mature reproductive O. monteverdensis trees remain.
Photo by Giancarlo Pucci, Magical Trees Foundation
Range of O. monteverdensis corresponds to development in the Monteverde zone.
Map by Randy Chinchilla, based on aerial photos by Giancarlo Pucci, Magical Trees Foundation.
Map of major portion of O. monteverdensis distribution. Each red dot represents a mature tree.
Given its narrow range, particular habitat requirements, and miniscule remaining population, O. monteverdensis has been designated critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). But it is a special tree in other ways. This Ocotea species periodically produces prolific amounts of a large wild avocado fruit. During its fruiting, a number of large bird species flock to its branches to feed. The three-wattled bellbird and the oilbird particularly seek it out as a favorite fruit. In addition, black guans, resplendent quetzals, emerald-toucanets, and keel-billed toucans pursue the fruit. Two of these bird species---bellbird and quetzal—are threatened themselves. And the oilbird can most reliably be seen in Costa Rica when O. monteverdensis trees are fruiting in this area.
O. monteverdensis green and ripe fruit, and seeds
In light of O. monteverdensis’ majesty, its endangered status, and its importance to several charismatic and threatened bird species, the Monteverde Institute submitted a grant proposal to the Franklinia Fondation. The Franklinia Fondation is a private foundation that provides grants to support nature conservation projects. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, its objective is to preserve threatened tree species throughout the world and improve their conservation status. Fortunately this funded grant now provides resources to protect this tree species and to expand its population.
https://fondationfranklinia.org/
This is the first blog in a series intended to describe the purpose and progress on this project, which is funded for 2 ½ years. The project is a cooperative one that involves the Monteverde Institute, the Costa Rican Conservation Foundation, the Monteverde Conservation League, The Costa Rica National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), and dozens of local landowners. This project emphasizes conservation of Ocotea monteverdensis by augmenting its population, as well as by restoring its threatened, biodiverse Premontane Wet Forest habitat, and associated flora and fauna, including other threatened bird and tree species. The small O. monteverdensis population that remains and its habitat are threatened by development and illegal cutting. Monitoring indicates that natural regeneration of this species is minimal.
Photo by Giancarlo Pucci, Magical Trees Foundation
Aerial photo of area of original Premontane Wet forest with O. monteverdensis in bloom (golden)
The project will continue reforestation work by the Monteverde Institute and the Fundación Conservacionista Costarricense with emphasis on O. monteverdensis and associated tree species. Areas of natural regeneration will be located, protected and encouraged. Recent efforts with SINAC will be further expanded to involve greater landowner protection and conservation of this species. The Monteverde Conservation League, will also support the project and assist in educational programs. Project goals are:
To protect remaining mature O. monteverdensis trees by increasing landowner awareness and participation in conservation plans.
To increase its population size and area of occupancy by planting 5000 seedlings in appropriate habitat, along with 8,000 seedlings of other associated and threatened trees, and by encouraging O. monteverdensis natural regeneration.
To increase public awareness through educational programs, pamphlets, and public signage.
To continue research on optimal regeneration practices.
In our next blog, we will provide more detail on how we plan to achieve these goals, and an update on the progress made so far in each general area.
References and Resources
Haber, W., W. Zuchowski, and E. Bello. 2000. An introduction to cloud forest trees, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Mountain Gem Publications, Monteverde de Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Hamilton, D., Singleton, R., and Joslin, J. D. 2018. Resource tracking and its conservation implications for an obligate frugivore (Procnias tricarunculatus, the three-wattled bellbird). Biotropica 50(1): 146–156 2018
International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List: Quizarra blanco (Ocotea monteverdensis) https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/48724260/117762662
Joslin, J.D., Haber, W.A. & Hamilton, D. 2018. Ocotea monteverdensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T48724260A117762662. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T48724260A117762662.en. Downloaded on 21 April 2020
Salazar, V. and Quesada, Q., Ocotea monteverdensis. 2019. You Tube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLTI-_mHTGU
