Understanding Madagascar Sapotaceae

Understanding Madagascar Sapotaceae: a critical step towards conservation of a threatened group of prime importance trees

Partner: Conservatory and Botanical Garden of the City of Geneva
Years: 2019-2022

Trees of the family Sapotaceae are of paramount importance in primary tropical forests, where they often represent a key structural element in the upper canopy. Being slow-growing, they are known for their high quality timber which is particularly appreciated at local and international levels.

Pressure of international timber trade has been high on protected areas in Madagascar, inducing illegal harvest of Rosewoods and Ebonies. Field observations performed by Malagasy colleagues indicate that Sapotaceae are definitely third on this list of endangered genera and families. The objectives of this project are to acquire and consolidate current knowledge on the Sapotaceae of Madagascar, a crucial step towards the conservation of this group of trees of prime importance.