Propagation and planting of threatened piedmont forest trees in Northern Argentina

Propagation and planting of threatened piedmont forest trees in Northern Argentina to restore a degraded area of piedmont jungle, within the cloud forest in the Natural Reserve of Horco Molle in Tucumán, Argentina.

Partner: Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires “Carlos Thays”
Years: 2020-2023

Firstly, this project aims to develop ex situ conservation methods for the target tree species, notably on propagation techniques, cultivation and seed banking while also combining these efforts to public outreach activities. And secondly, the project aims at reinforcing the populations of selected tree species in situ with the collaboration of local populations in Tucumán.

This project aims to advance Argentina’s efforts to secure the country’s wealth of native tree species. Drawing on the technical expertise and practical knowhow of the botanical community in Argentina as well as of the global network of botanic gardens facilitated by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), a diverse programme of work is proposed that promotes an integrated approach to conservation. In an initial stage, selected tree plant species from the cloud forest ecoregion of the country will be used to trial ex situ conservation methods, including propagation, cultivation and seed banking techniques. Combined with a series of public outreach activities at Carlos Thays botanic garden in Buenos Aires, such as the development of interpretational signs and guided tours for schools, this approach could be later extended to other priority species. In a final phase of this three-year project, there will be a population reinforcement programme in the wild (in situ) for the obtained individuals in collaboration with local communities and a natural reserve in the target area, managed by the National University of Tucumán.