A conservation framework for the Critically Endangered endemic species of the Caribbean palm Coccothrinax

Authors: JESTROW, BRETT - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden; PEGUERO, BRÍGIDO - Jardín Botánico Nacional; JIMÉNEZ, FRANCISCO - Jardín Botánico Nacional; VERDECIA, RAÚL - Jardín Botánico Nacional; GONZÁLEZ-OLIVA, LISBET - Institute Of Ecology And Systematics; MOYA, CELIO - Jardín Botánico Nacional; CINEA, WILLIAM - Ministry Of Agriculture-Haiti; GRIFFITH, PATRICK - Montgomery Botanical Center; Meerow, Alan; MAUNDER, MIKE - National Center For Agriculture And Forestry Technologies (CENTA); FRANCISCO-ORTEGA, JAVIER - Florida International University

Submitted to: Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/27/2017
Publication Date: 9/19/2017
Citation: Jestrow, B., Peguero, B., Jiménez, F., Verdecia, R., González-Oliva, L., Moya, C.E., Cinea, W., Griffith, P.M., Meerow, A.W., Maunder, M., Francisco-Ortega, J. 2017. A conservation framework for the Critically Endangered endemic species of the Caribbean palm Coccothrinax. Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation. 52(3):452-463. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605317000588.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605317000588

Interpretive Summary: Coccothrinax (approximimately 54 species) is the flagship palm genus for conservation in the Caribbean Island Biodiversity Hotspot with 30 threatened species (14 Critically Endangered and 16 Endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature). Coccothrinax has its center of taxonomic diversity in these islands, with approximately 51 endemic species. We present a conservation framework for the 14 Critically Endangered species, found in Cuba, Haiti or Dominican Republic. Only two species (C. jimenezii, C. montana) occur in more than one country (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Immediate threats are described. Coccothrinax bermudezii, C. borhidiana, C. crinita ssp. crinita, C. leonis, and C. spissa are not currently conserved in protected areas. Coccothrinax bermudezii, C. jimenezii, C. leonis, and C. nipensis are represented in conservation collections at botanical gardens. We recommend international cooperation between the three range states to implement integrated conservation management plans that include plant exploration, needed taxonomic work, public outreach, and fundraising.

Technical Abstract: With 30 threatened species [14 Critically Endangered (CR) and 16 Endangered, sensu IUCN)] Coccothrinax (c. 54 species) is the flagship palm genus for conservation in the Caribbean Island Biodiversity Hotspot. Coccothrinax has its center of taxonomic diversity in these islands, with c. 51 endemic species. We present a conservation framework for the 14 CR species, found in Cuba, Haiti or Dominican Republic. Only two species (C. jimenezii, C. montana) occur in more than one country (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Immediate threats are identified and include: oil drilling and nickel mining; saline water soil intrusion, urban and Authors: List all authors, authorship position, and their affiliation (ARS employee, University, Company or Organization, ARS- Retired/Collaborator, etc.) Only one senior author designation per manuscript; not required. Non-ARS Author Clearances: Allows ARS to post the Non-ARS author's name/affiliation to ARS websites. It is not a request for approval/permission for ARS to publish. Name (Last, First, MI) Employer/Affiliation Clearance? (Y/N) Senior Author (Y/N) 1 Jestrow, Brett Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Y Y 2 Peguero, Brígido Montgomery Botanical Center Jardín Botánico Nacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Y N 3 Jiménez, Francisco Jardín Botánico Nacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Y N 4 Verdecia, Raúl Jardín Botánico Cupaynicú, Guisa, Granma, Cuba Y N 5 González-Oliva, Lisbet Herbario Nacional de Cuba, Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática, La Habana, Cuba Y N 6 Moya, Celio E. Sociedad Cubana de Botánica, Sección de Palmas, Boynton Beach, Florida, USA Y N 7 Cinea, William Jardin Botanique des Cayes, Cayes, Haiti Y N 8 Griffith, M. Patrick Montgomery Botanical Center Y N 9 Meerow, Alan W. USDA-ARS-SHRS Y N 10 Maunder, Mike The Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, United Kingdom Y N 11 Francisco-Ortega, Javier Dept. Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL Y N 115 Template Updated: April 2011 115 Template agricultural development, low population recruitment, uncontrolled fires, inter-specific hybridization, and unsustainable ethnobotanical practices. Coccothrinax bermudezii, C. borhidiana, C. crinita ssp. crinita, C. leonis, and C. spissa are not conserved in protected areas. Coccothrinax bermudezii, C. jimenezii, C. leonis, and C. nipensis are not part of ex situ collections. Based on results from a joint conservation project targeting C. jimenezii, we recommend international cooperation between the three range states to implement integrative conservation management plans, plant exploration initiatives, needed taxonomic revisions, outreach, and fundraising. The ultimate aim of this review is to provide baseline information that will develop conservation synergy among relevant conservation parties working in Coccothrinax conservation in Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. These direct collaborations can also benefit through partnerships with botanists working in other countries.