Conservation of at risk tree species in the Atlantic Forests of southern Bahia, Brazil – Phase 2

Conservation of at risk tree species in the Atlantic Forests of southern Bahia, Brazil – Phase 2: Population Enrichment and Monitoring

Partner: Floresta Viva Institute
Years: 2026-2028, Phase 2

This project continues the conservation efforts for 32 tree species threatened with extinction in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, expanding the territorial and institutional reach achieved in a previous phase, led by the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). In this new stage, the project area will grow from five to ten priority municipalities, significantly increasing the likelihood of locating remnant populations of species not previously recorded.

This project builds on the project “Conservation of Threatened Tree Species in the Atlantic Forest of Southern Bahia”, implemented by Instituto Floresta Viva (IFV) in partnership with Federal University of Southern Bahia, New York Botanical Garden, and the Center for Cocoa Research, with support from Fondation Franklinia. The previous phase mapped and tagged 580 trees from 32 of the 38 target species and produced over 28’000 seedlings, which were distributed to 88 landowners for restoration, thereby exceeding targets despite pandemic challenges.
In the new phase, the project expands to ten municipalities, strengthens alignment with the National Action Plan for the Flora of the Hiléia Baiana (PAN), and broadens its partner network. Previously identified trees are to be revisited and monitored, species representation increased, and efforts intensified to locate the six still-undetected species.
Planned activities include seed collection and processing, production of 30,000 seedlings for donation and sale to 100 rural landowners, training of taxonomists and seed collectors, and strengthening scientific, educational, and community outreach. By combining science, conservation, and social engagement, the project contributes to the effective protection of threatened species, ecosystem recovery, and the consolidation of a collaborative network for the restoration of the Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia.
The target species for this project are: Tovomita megantha (CR), Chrysophyllum subspinosum (EN), Inga pedunculata (EN), Manilkara elata (EN), Myrcia gigantea (EN), Myrcia neoverticillaris (EN), Paubrasilia echinata (EN), Pouteria butyrocarpa (EN), Pouteria coelomatica (EN), Pouteria macahensis (EN), Trichilia blanchetii (EN), Arapatiella psilophylla (VU), Cariniana legalis (EN), Cedrela fissilis (VU), Couepia schottii (VU), Dalbergia nigra (VU), Eschweilera alvimii (EN), Inga pleiogyna (VU), Manilkara maxima (VU), Plathymenia foliolosa (VU), Pouteria bapeba (VU), Stephanopodium magnifolium (EN), Andreadoxa flava (CR), Zollernia magnifica (EN).