Conservation of the Possibly Extinct Cryptocarya in West Papua, Indonesia

Conservation of the Narrow Endemic and Possibly Extinct Cryptocarya (Lauraceae) in West Papua, Indonesia

Partner: Indonesia Threatened Trees Forum (FPLI)
Years: 2024-2027

The Indonesia Threatened Trees Forum (FPLI) was established by Fauna & Flora with Franklinia funding and is fully dedicated to threatened tree conservation. This project represents the first effort in the area to rediscover and enhance the conservation of the targeted Critically Endangered Cryptocarya species. The project is completely new and independent, not part of a wider initiative.

Forest in the study

West Papua of Indonesia is a habitat for five narrow endemic and threatened tree species of the genus Cryptocarya (Lauraceae). The species are Cryptocarya angica, C. arfakensis, C. aurea, C. sericeotriplinervia, and C. macrophylla. All the species currently are known only from type collection and none of them are represented in ex-situ collections. Due to threats from habitat conversion and degradation, all the species are categorized as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) by the IUCN Red List. This project aims to rediscover and enhance the conservation of these species by: i) providing the most current population status of the species, ii) preserving the extant populations of the species through both in situ and ex-situ conservation actions, iii) ensuring the sustainability of the conservation programs through local stakeholders’ active involvement, and iv) reducing threats to the species by conducting awareness raising activities.