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Zamia pyrophylla |
Zamia pyrophylla is endemic from Colombia in the Atrato river basin. Its new leaves look like a flame.
Conservation action plans (CAP) are strategic planning tools used to define specific conservation outputs that can be monitored to evaluate concrete impacts regarding minimizing anthropic threats and improving the state of biodiversity. These CAP’s for species or ecosystems can complement other biodiversity conservation strategies like the management and conservation of protected areas. In Colombia, with one of the greatest richness of plant species in the world, is impractical to implement conservation plans for all species. Therefore, within the framework of the "National strategy for plant conservation" have been defined strategic groups, as umbrella species that permit to advance in the conservation of many other species and their habitats. One of these strategic groups in Colombia is Zamia, our native cycads.
For the Colombian Zamias exist a CAP with strategic actions to be implemented and monitored for the years 2015 through 2025. This CAP was developed based on diagnostics of the conservation status of each species based on available information of their geographical distribution, population biology and threats on their populations and habitats. After discussions with relevant stakeholders for plant conservation, short- and long-term conservation goals were proposed, with actions and outputs associated to protection, restoration, sustainable use and management of knowledge, education and communication for conservation. The implementation of this conservation action plan for Colombian Zamias is coordinated by the Colombian Cycad Society (SCC initials in Spanish)
The progress in the implementation of the Conservation Action Plan of Colombian Zamias is described. This plan is divided in 4 main goals and 22 objectives in which have been progressed in the last years. To see the progress of every objective, place your cursor on the corresponding picture. In the picture reverse you can read a summary of the all results obtained in every objective of the plan during the first half of implementation between the years 2015 and 2020.
GOAL 1
GOAL 1
OBJECTIVE 1
Estimate population distribution and abundance for all species.
We published an Atlas, in collaboration with Biomodelos (National Biodiversity Institute, Instituto Humboldt), with species distribution models for all species (described to 2017). We have diagnosis for population abundance and trends for the most threatened species (CR/EN), that include all species in the Andes and in the Pacific (except Z. chigua that is VU). We are advancing in the preliminary diagnostics for some of the Amazonian species.
GOAL 1
OBJECTIVE 2
Identify conservation priority populations for all species.
We have prioritized populations for conservation for all threatened species (CR/EN/VU), that are in the Andes, Pacific and Caribbean regions. For this prioritization we used available information on demographic parameters, as we only have one population genetic study (for Z. incognita). The Amazonian species (6 spp) and the Caribbean species (Z muricata) are not threatened, however, this species require more research for this prioritization. Exist populations of the most threatened species prioritized for conservation actions (Z. restrepoi, Z. montana, Z. tolimensis, Z. disodon, Z. wallisii).
GOAL 1
OBJECTIVE 3
Implement a national program for population monitoring.
We have established permanent plots for population monitoring for 14 species, including most of the threated species in CR/EN categories, some of them with collaborating institutions. For Z. amplifolia, Z. huilensis, Z. melanorrhachis, Z. oligodonta, Z. pyrophylla we have initiatives to implement monitoring plots in 2020. For the rest of the species, which are not threatened, we do not have immediate plans for monitoring programs. In several of the long-term monitoring plots we have carried out studies on Zamia ecology: demography, functional traits and species interactions (especially for Z. manicata, Z. obliqua, Z. encephalartoides, Z. incognita). For some species we have collected tissue samples, pollinators and herbivores, that we are keeping for future studies (deposited in scientific collections at University CES). Additionally, the Colombian Cycad Society members have been thesis advisors for Zamia projects in several Universities (UdeA, CES, UIS, ICESI).
GOAL 1
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OBJECTIVE 4
Design propagation protocols for all species.
We have produced horticultural guides for all species, according to the available knowledge, containing detailed information on their habitat and growth parameters in natural populations and recommendations for ex situ cultivation. For Z. incognita we design a pilot program for sustainable use of this species in horticulture, that includes a detailed propagation protocol with production costs. This will serve as a model for other detailed protocols, once horticultural research is advanced for other species.
GOAL 1
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OBJETIVE 5
Maintain a database and a GIS on Zamia populations of the country with relevant information for conservation.
We maintain two national databases, continuously updated: one contains occurrence data mostly from herbarium specimens and expert reports (“Darwin Core” format), and the other one contains information at the population level for all known populations of each species (“Plinian Core” format). All this information is spatialized and can be accessed through a GIS.
GOAL 2
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GOAL 2
OBJECTIVE 6
Implement communication strategies for the general public about the importance of Zamia and their conservation.
We maintain a webpage for the Colombian Cycad Society with Spanish and English versions, with general information on Cycad biology and Zamia conservation in the country. We also have a Facebook page with periodic postings. Furthermore, we have designed outreach materials for different stakeholders, including infographics, videos, technical documents, among others.
GOAL 2
OBJECTIVE 7
Implement environmental education activities in botanical gardens and other institutions
We have designed didactic material and environmental education activities for two types of scenarios: Guided visits in Botanical Gardens for general public, and children and adult workshops in local communities in rural areas. For the National Cycad Collection (housed at Medellín Botanical Garden), we designed signs and tags that can be used in other Cycad collections in the country. We designed a card game and other simple table games to teach about biology and conservation that we have used in several projects.
GOAL 2
OBJECTIVE 8
Communicate knowledge about Zamias to different stakeholders to promote their conservation.
We have implemented many different activities to engage a variety of stakeholders interested in plant conservation, like:
- Meetings with environmental authorities (National Parks, Regional Environmental Corporations) about protection and restauration of populations of CR/EN species.
- Workshops about sustainable use of Zamias in horticulture and the publication of a special issue of Cycads horticulture in the popular Colombian gardener magazine “De Jardines”.
- Workshops on environmental education for children and adults in local communities living near Zamia habitats (National Parks and Regional Environmental Corporations reserves).
- Academic presentations about Zamia conservation at national and international events.
GOAL 2
OBJECTIVE 9
Increase capacities for some stakeholders to support conservation actions for Zamias (protection, restoration, sustainable use).
We have carried out workshops to increase capacities for maintaining Zamia ex situ collections at the Medellin and Quindío Botanical Gardens. In 2022, we will perform training workshops for national parks officers and private reserve owners for monitoring Zamia populations and conservation actions for them.
GOAL 3
GOAL 3
OBJECTIVE 10
Identify appropriate figures for protecting prioritized populations and their habitats.
We have completed a gap analysis of Zamia populations in protected areas (PA) in the country. Prioritized populations to focus conservation actions have been identified within (16 spp) and outside PA (Z. encephalartoides, Z. melanorrhachis, Z. montana, Z. pyrophylla, Z. tolimensis). Within the PA we have also identified needs for securing Zamia populations for the long-term.
GOAL 3
OBJECTIVE 11
Create and keep a national network of the Zamia populations within protected areas of the SINAP.
We have established collaborations with most protected areas (PA) with Zamia populations to promote their conservation, by raising awareness among PA officers and owners. Our main strategy has been to promote de declaration of Zamias as conservation targets for the PA and to implement monitoring programs for them. In addition, the Colombian Cycad Society is exploring the possibility of promoting the creation of new private reserves for Zamias.
GOAL 3
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OBJECTIVE 12
Consolidate a national Zamia collection and support existing ex situ collections.
We declared the Medellin Botanical Garden collection as the National Cycad Collection. We established a long-term agreement with this BG to collaborate for Cycad conservation. We also established agreements with the Bogotá, Cali and Quindío BG, and are working on other agreements (Bucaramanga, Tuluá and Florencia BG). We have made exchanges of seeds and plants with these collections and other public and private ones in the country, to maintain small satellite collections.
GOAL 3
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OBJECTIVE 13
Obtain individuals by means of propagation and rescue for restoration of CR species.
We have recollected seeds and rescued seedlings and in some cases adult individuals of CR species in places where the habitat is under heavy degradation or destruction. In addition, we have collected seeds for 10 of the 13 threatened species. We have built in situ greenhouses for the propagation of some of the CR species near their habitats. All CR species currently have plants in production (in situ and/or ex situ) for future reintroduction programs.
GOAL 3
OBJECTIVE 14
Implementing a national program for species restoration for CR species.
We are producing plants for restoration projects for all CR species. We are already making reintroductions for some species (Z. disodon, Z. restrepoi, Z. wallisii ). Long-term restoration programs need to be better planned for all the species with current reintroductions and the rest of the CR species (CR).
GOAL 3
OBJECTIVE 15
Secure at least one viable population (>250 adults) for all species.
We have determined that out of the 13 threatened species, 2 species have viable populations adequately protected, although a few need some population supplementation. We are working to secure at least one population of the other species, in alignment with objetives 11 to 14 of this CAP regarding protection and restoration actions.
GOAL 3
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OBJECTIVE 16
Diagnose opportunities for sustainable use (horticulture and others) for Zamia species in the country.
We have identified species with high potential for horticulture using surveys with different stakeholders (including environmental authorities) and an economic analysis for green markets, during some workshops with environmental authorities and private companies about sustainable use of Zamia in horticulture. We have also explored some sites with high potential for ecotourism around Zamias in the country, as where operates the community group “ECO MANGLAR” in Bahía Málaga (Valle).
GOAL 3
OBJECTIVE 17
Implement pilot projects on sustainable use (horticulture and others) for some species.
We are implementing a pilot project for the use of Zamia incognita in horticultural markets. We have identified opportunities and barriers for commercialization, and have extensively explored the national legislation on the topic (as one of the key components of this type of projects). We have identified Z. pyrophylla as a species with a great ornamental potential in the country.
GOAL 3
OBJECTIVE 18
Design and secure the implementation of species conservation strategies for threatened species.
We have designed species conservation strategies for 5 of the 13 threatened species, performing detailed analysis of conservation status, threats and conservation actions required (e.g. Z. encephalartoides, Z. incognita). Further information and discussion with relevant stakeholders are required for the other threatened species for such analysis.
GOAL 4
GOAL 4
OBJECTIVE 19
Update the threatened species act for the country and other resources with the latest Red List assessments
We performed Red List assessment for all Colombian Zamia species in 2015. We sent the new information to the Ministry of environment for inclusion in the national threatened species act. We carried out another Red List assessment in 2019 for all South American Zamias (to be published in the Global Red List website in 2020).
GOAL 4
OBJECTIVE 20
Identify normative tools that could support the conservation strategies of species.
In collaboration with participant institutions of the “National Strategy of Plants Conservation” we have explored normative tools with potential to support Zamia conservation actions as tools about species ban and biocommerce. In the next years this topic should be explored in deep.
GOAL 4
OBJECTIVE 21
Explore conservation incentives that could support species conservation strategies.
We have reviewed potential conservation incentives for species in the national environmental legislation, and we have discussed with some environmental authorities about including Zamia populations in “payment for environmental services” programs (e.g BANCO2). This issue requires further attention in coming years, particularly to identify useful incentives for the species conservation programs.
GOAL 4
OBJECTIVE 22
Obtain economic resources to support research and educational activities for this CAP.
The Colombian Cycad Society (CCS) has received donations for ca. USD$70.000, mostly from international research - conservation NGOs (like Montgomery Botanical Center, The Cycad Society, among others). The CCS has also obtained grants for conservation projects for ca. USD$30.000, by organizations like “Rainforest Trust” (USA), “Fondo Acción” (Colombia), and others.
| BOOK OF THE CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN OF ZAMIA OF COLOMBIA (SPANISH) | DE JARDINES MAGAZINE, EDITION 16 ZAMIAS Y CYCAS (SPANISH) |
| Check here the RET files (Spanish) of the Alexander von Humboldt Institute, about the national strategy for plant conservation (file 302) and the PAC of the Zamias of Colombia (file 304) | |
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Planes de conservación para plantas amenazadas | Biodiversidad 2016 Ficha 302: Planes de conservación para plantas amenazadas, el caso de las zamias de Colombia. reporte.humboldt.org.co/ |
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Planes de conservación para plantas amenazadas | Biodiversidad 2016: http://reporte.humboldt.org.co/ |
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Estrategia Nacional para la Conservación de Plantas | Biodiversidad 2016 Ficha 304: Estrategia Nacional para la Conservación de Plantas de Colombia, una apuesta para su implementación. reporte.humboldt.org.co/ |
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Estrategia Nacional para la Conservación de Plantas | Biodiversidad 2016: http://reporte.humboldt.org.co/biodiversidad/2016/cap3/304/ |
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SCC - Sociedad Colombiana de Cycadas - ONG
Medellín - Colombia