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Saving Tristan’s only native tree and its associated unique buntings

 

Key Facts

FUNDING SCHEME ICON
FUNDING SCHEME
Darwin Plus
VALUE ICON
VALUE
£306,653
WHERE ICON
WHERE
Tristan da Cunha

Summary

Coccus hesperidum, an invasive alien scale insect, has infested Tristan’s only native tree species, Phylica arborea, smothering and killing many. Endemic Nesospiza buntings, evolved to specialise on Phylica fruit, are therefore threatened with possibly imminent extinction. Biological control has worked for C. hesperidum elsewhere. This project will select, safely test, and release at least two agents in heavily infested Phylica stands to reduce scale numbers, safeguarding the bunting species. It will also control invasive flax spreading towards threatened Phylica habitat.
 
Status Current
Reference DPLUS102
Round 8
Start 01/07/2020
End 31/03/2024

Project Leader


Project Partners
CAB International, Tristan da Cunha Government Conservation Department, FERA - Food and Environment Research Agency


Regions
Atlantic

Biomes
ISLAND BIODIVERSITY, TEMPERATE FOREST, FORESTS

Production
FORESTRY

Threats To Biodiversity
INVASIVE SPECIES

Broad Approches
SPECIES CONSERVATION, IN SITU, ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION

Specific Tools
RESEARCH TRAINING, RESEARCH, CEPA, MONITORING, REHABILITATION

Countries
Tristan da Cunha

Conventions
CBD

Documents:
Download: Annual Report - DPLUS102 AR3 - 06/10/2023

Download: Half Year Report - DPLUS102 HYR3 - 16/03/2023

Download: Annual Report - DPLUS102 AR2 - 17/01/2023

Download: Half Year Report - DPLUS102 HYR2 - 25/11/2021

Download: Annual Report - DPLUS102 AR1 - 11/08/2021

Download: Half Year Report - DPLUS102 HYR1 - 03/02/2021

Download: Application Form - DPLUS102 App - 25/09/2020

Download: Half Year Report - DPLUS102 HYR4 - 12/02/2024