Conservation of five threatened Magnolias in Colombia

Conservation of endangered Magnoliaceae at the Mesenia-Paramillo Nature Reserve in the Western Andes of Colombia

Partner: Fundación Bioconservancy
Years: 2022-2025

The goal of this project is to provide a safe haven for five endemic and threatened Magnolias and increase their density within the Mesenia-Paramillo Reserve in Colombia to prevent their extinction.

Colombia has thirty-three species of Magnoliaceae; thirty-two being threatened, and five are found at the 3500-hectare Mesenia-Paramillo Reserve led by Fundación Bioconservancy, with twelve years of experience in cloud forest restoration. Their conservation actions are based on the experience of local stakeholders, sound scientific information, and in situ gathering of data. They are restoring 300 ha of pasturelands and wish to increase the density of five endangered species of Magnolia: M. jardinensis (CR), M. espinalii (CR), M. hernandezii (EN), M. yarumalensis (EN) and M. urraoensis (EN). To monitor the ecological impact of this conservation action, they will measure standard estimates of tree biomass and growth, comparing the ecological performance of Magnolia trees and measure concomitant changes in microclimate and soil microbial richness, by deploying an array of dataloggers and conducting metagenomic analyses of soil. They want to demonstrate quantitatively the recovery of the threatened species in the reserve’s area of influence, to provide a safe haven for the Critically Endangered ones, and to adapt a management plan based on the information gathered. With the direct involvement of the local stakeholders and landowners in the design and development of the conservation actions, the long-term conservation of these species will be possible.