Saving the last known population of Haught’s Orchid Tree in the Pacific Forest of Ecuador

Saving the last known population of Haught’s Orchid Tree (Bauhinia haughtii) and associated threatened species in a high endemism hotspot of the Pacific Forest of Ecuador

Partner: Third Millennium Alliance (TMA)
Years: 2025-2028

The current project aims to save the last known population of Haught’s Orchid Tree Bauhinia haughtii (EN), and associated threatened tree species in the Pacific Forest of Ecuador, by implementing a multi-pronged strategy that combines in situ and ex situ conservation with active reforestation.

Bauhinia haughtii

The only known population of Bauhinia haughtii (EN) is found within the Cerro Pata de Pajaro Protected Forest (PDP). PDP was originally designated as a protected area by Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment in 1995 due to its incredibly high levels of endemism, but, due to a lack of resources, the area was quickly abandoned by the non-profit charged with managing it.
Over the past year, Third Millennium Alliance (TMA) stepped in to join hands with the Ministry of Environment to ensure the protection of this biodiversity hotspot. Soon after taking on this responsibility, the team discovered numerous small populations of Bauhinia haughtii, as well as a handful of other endemic and threatened tree species – Annona deceptrix (VU), Annona manabiensis (EN), Centrolobium ochroxylum (CR). The current project aims to advance on these findings by implementing an urgent conservation program. The three primary objectives include (i) in situ protection of the last known population, (ii) ex situ reproduction and reforestation, and (iii) design of a long-term management plan for PDP that ensures the survival of threatened tree species.