Threatened
Plants Programmes
Early
in 2001, the Stangeria eriopus Conservation Project was initiated
at the Durban Botanic Gardens (DBG). During the early project planning phase,
scientists from other organisations were invited to collaborate in deciding
the objectives of the project, and to give input on aspects of the collecting
of scientific data. Input was gratefully received from the National Botanical
Institute, KZN Wildlife, and the University of Natal, and the collection
of plants from wild areas soon began for the ex situ, live gene-bank
held at the DBG.
In
2002, with the appointment of a dedicated project co-ordinator, project
promotion via poster presentations and the establishment of a database ensured
that the smaller details of the project were not overlooked. There were
numerous trips to reserves in the province, including areas as far a-field
as the Manguzi Forest (near Kosi Bay) and the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve (near
Port Edward). The completed database is available to researchers who wish
to access this information, hopefully for investigation of the population
distribution and dynamics, phenotypic diversity and other aspects, such
as the influences of development and alien plant encroachment. The database
is linked to the digital photographic archive, which gives visual details
of each plant’s natural habitat, and includes many aspects of physical features
prior to collection.
Research
into Stangeria seed behaviour at the University of Natal (Durban)
made headway during 2003 with Honours student Errol Douwes establishing
a protocol for favourable in vitro germination. Insights into ideal
seed storage methods and storage time were also gained.
The
nursery collection now includes plants that represent about 20 sub-populations
throughout KwaZulu-Natal. This marks some progress towards obtaining a good
representation of the species’ genomic diversity, which is important for
a new collaborative effort begun in 2004 with the Molecular Biology Department
of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Durban). MSc student Madhupa Madurai
will begin an investigation into the molecular diversity of plants in the
collection, which may shed new light on the taxonomy of this interesting
cycad.
The
availability of the collection should also appeal to scientists wishing
to investigate the phenotypic and/or genetic diversity, secondary metabolite
production, and aspects of cycad reproduction, including pollination, seed
development, and micro-propagation.
The
large (A0) informative ‘Stangeria’ poster, which was unveiled at
the annual Botanical Society plant sale held in Durban in September 2003,
is now available for distribution via CD-ROM. The project web site, completed
early in 2003, allows access to contact information via the web, and should
help inform people about the plight of this unique cycad, as well as the
project’s intended goals.
SABONET
Threatened Plants Programme funding was allocated to a number of field trips,
nursery items, computer support and project promotion. If the project continues
to enjoy the same levels of interest from members of the public and of the
scientific community, it is sure to achieve its objectives of furthering
the conservation of this threatened species, establishing better protocols
for seed germination and nursery propagation, and public awareness through
education. The availability of the collection should also appeal to scientists
wishing to investigate the phenotypic and/or genetic diversity, secondary
metabolite production, and aspects of cycad reproduction including pollination,
seed development, and micro-propagation.
—Errol Douwes
