Nature Today | Important new insights into rare Caribbean palms

These palms, described only in the last decade, demonstrate not only the rich biodiversity of the Netherlands’ Caribbean region, but also the possibilities for recovery.

Sabal Logidiana Bonaire is considered critically endangered, with only 23 adults left in the wild. In addition, these palms are facing a population crisis, mainly due to continued grazing by feral livestock (goats and donkeys) which prevents new seedlings from establishing themselves. Sabal Intelensis In Curaçao, on the other hand, they thrive under effective conservation strategies. New research, a collaboration between the Montgomery Botanical Center (Florida, USA), Bonbirdie, Karmabi, Wageningen University and Research, and Cornell University, has used genomic data to prove that the two palms are indeed two different species. The results confirmed their genetic uniqueness and helped answer two questions: Are these two groups truly different species, and are there efforts to conserve them? Off-site Is the genomic diversity of each species adequately represented?

Genetic problems

An interesting finding of this study was the presence of a serious genetic bottleneck in… Sabal LogidianaThey are characterized by low genetic diversity and high levels of inbreeding. This is concerning because genetic diversity is critical to a species’ ability to adapt to environmental change and disease. Reverse exhibitions Sabal Intelensis Slightly better genetic health, but still needs strategic conservation to maintain and perhaps improve genetic diversity.

Conservation efforts

In response to urgent conservation needs, initiatives, such as building a temporary exclusion fence, have been implemented to protect at least some sabal palm trees on Bonaire. This produced immediate results, including a significant increase in plant seedlings within the fenced area. By removing herbivore pressure on goats and donkeys, these palms can reproduce and potentially increase genetic diversity over time. Implementing the Bonaire Sabal Palm Park project, which aims to fully protect… S. lugidiana Regarding Bonaire, it was submitted to the island’s government in 2020. Although funding for this project has been secured in 2023, the project is still awaiting final approval.

Furthermore, the results of this study highlight the importance of ex situ conservation efforts, which include preserving plants outside their natural habitat. These efforts have been successful enough that the genetic makeup of palms preserved ex situ closely matches those found in the wild, suggesting that such conservation measures can help maintain genetic diversity when conditions are On site Deteriorate.

He looks forward

This research is vital for the Dutch Caribbean and highlights the need for continued and improved conservation strategies. Protecting endemic palm species is not only about preserving existing biodiversity, but also about protecting these unique genetic lineages for future generations. By combining advanced genomic tools with traditional conservation methods, there is hope that these attractive palms will once again flourish in their natural habitat.

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text: DCNA
Photo: Andre van Broosdeg; Patrick Griffith