27-30 April 2005 Workshop 2: Threat and conservation assessment

In situ gap analysis of genetic diversity of wild Coffea species from Mauritius

Ehsan DullooIPGRI

Coffea macrocarpa,

a wild coffee relative

Overview

Background on target taxa and region Steps in Gap analysis Ecogeographic survey Genetic diversity analysis Conservation Priorities Lessons learnt

Background on Coffee Important beverage world wide Family : Rubiaceae Sub Family: Ixoroideae Tribe: Coffeeae Sections: Paracoffea, Argocoffea,

Mascarocoffea and Eucoffea >100 species world wide; endemic to Africa All species are diploid (2n=22) and

outcrossing except C. arabica (allotetraploid) and is self sterile

Natural Distribution of coffee species in Africa and Madagascar

Mascarene islands

Mascarenes islands

3 Volcanic islands SW of Indian ocean- Mauritius, Reunion, Rodrigues

Uninhabited Rich diversity of

endemic plants – 955 native flowering plant taxa (73% endemic)

Mauritius- 685 natives; 311 endemics

With human colonisation-rapid deforestation

Threats

Deforestation Land clearing

for agriculture Habitat

alteration Invasive alien

species (introduced animals & plants)

Conservation history Pioneering ecological studies

in 1930’s – Native vegetation: Palm savannah, Lowland dry forest, Upland wet montane rainforest

1950’s- Creation of protected areas- Nature Reserves

1970s- conservation reports on Mauritius; focus on CR endemic avifauna

1980’s – IUCN/WWF Plant programme- rescue critically endangered plants through ex situ conservation, Red data book

In situ conservation

Species Ecosystem Establishment of

Conservation Management areas within PAs

Elimination of invasives, active restoration, permanent quadrats

1990s – Creation of first National Park on Mauritius

Target taxa

Coffea mauritiana Coffea macrocarpa

Coffea myrtifolia

Target Coffea taxa

Coffea mauritiana Lam. Mauritius & La Reunion endemic Conservation status:

Mauritius: CR (B 1,2a); La Reunion VU (C 2a)

Threats: alien species People picking wild fruits Seed predation by pigs, birds

Ecology: Mid to high altitude wet montane rainforest

Target taxa

Coffea macrocarpa A. Rich Endemic to Mauritius Conservation status: VU (C 2a) Threats: Aliens species, deer grazing,

people picking wild fruits Ecology: Widespread distribution in

the upland climax montane rain forest to lowland moist forest and open dwarf Sideroxylon forest

Target taxa

Coffea myrtifolia (A. Rich ex DC) leroy Endemic to Mauritius Conservation status: EN (B 1,2ciii; D)

CR – AOO <10km2 and a total population of 150 indiv.

known from at least 5 pop and one has >50 individuals

Threats: alien species, browsing by deer, habitat alteration, low genetic variability, seed predation

Ecology: Evergreen dry forest

Objective of the study

Gap analysis of wild Coffea of Mauritius to ensure that genetic diversity is

effectively and efficiently conserved in protected areas

Gap Analysis

Gap analysis is a method for identifying gaps in network of conservation areas. Analysis should allow identification of

hotspots which might offer efficient conservation opportunities

Allows setting of priorities Helping in reserve selection and design

Steps in Gap analysis

Identify and classify biodiversity Focus in on wild coffea species and the extent and

distribution of its genetic diversity Locate areas managed primarily for biodiversity

Area of occurrence within native vegetation areas and protected areas or under management

Identify biodiversity that is unrepresented in those managed areas Compare distribution of Coffea spp. with protected areas

Set priorities for conservation actions Recommendation for protected areas or other conservation

actions

Ecogeographic survey Purpose was to map distribution of wild

Coffea spp. in the Mascarene Herbarium survey- 248 specimen were

examined C. mauritiana: 6 localities in MRU & 25 in REU C. macrocarpa: 18 localities C. myrtifolia: 8 localities

Field work- based on Herbarium survey Information from specialists, local field workers 26 localities were surveyed in MRU & REU

Distribution maps containing historical & actual sites

Table 1: Main herbarium collection of Mascarene Coffea taxa. (Codes from Holmgren et al. 1990)

Code Herbarium Specialist consulted

MAU Herbarium, Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute, Réduit, Mauritius

Mr. J. Guého

K Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, U.K

Dr D. Bridson

P Herbier, Laboratoire de Phanérogamie, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 16 Rue Buffon F-75005, Paris, France.

Dr. M. Bosser

REU Herbier de La Réunion, Laboratoire de Biologie Végétale, Université de La Réunion, B.P 5, 97490 Sainte Clotilde, Réunion.

Dr. D. Strasberg

Distribution maps of wild coffee were producedC. mauritiana

Genetic diversity studies

Purpose was to determine the genetic relationships between

coffee species and to study the distribution of genetic diversity in wild

populations and compare with existing conservation areas

Allows to define which areas have highest genetic diversity i.e. genetic hotspots areas (within population diversity)

16 populations were studied using RAPD markers

RAPD

20 different primers were screened 12 produced clear and discrete bands Of these, two primers (OPA-04 and OPI-20),

were selected for the RAPD assay of all the Coffea accessions (5 indiv. per population).

85 polymorphic bands were used for the analysis

Similarity index matrix was generated using simple matching coefficient with NTSYS-pc software to construct dendrograms using the UPGMA

Genetic analysis

25 of 85 polymorphic bands were unique to one of the four clusters

Within population genetic diversity (Hj) is more important at looking for GD hotspots

High diversity in MDR, PCH, FLO, MDC and MLO

Low diversity in C. myrtifolia (small population sizes)

Population % of polymorphic

markers

Diversityindex(Hj)

BBL 27.1 0.106

BOM 15.3 0.066

MLO 32.9 0.125

PER 23.5 0.098

MAC 18.8 0.076

MDR 42.4 0.160

FLO 32.9 0.131

PET 32.9 0.117

MDC 32.9 0.126

PCH 37.6 0.139

MCO 25.9 0.093

BV 28.2 0.105

COL 27.1 0.098

CIT 16.5 0.072

MAG 17.6 0.074

MBR 14.1 0.061

Cluster analysis Taxonomic

confirmation about three species + One cluster for MDC population

C. mauritiana: Clear distinction between accessions Mru & Reu

Gaps in protected areas Important populations

of C. macrocarpa are not located in PA – MDC, MDR, BBL

Many populations within PA are also in Conservation Management Areas

C. mauritiana: No PA in Reunion; No CMA at Plaine Champagne (Mru)

Population of C. myrtifolia are outside PA

Priorities for in situ conservation

Criteria Conservation threat

highest Are not in PA and/or

managed areas Populations which

have high GD Socio-economic and

political factors

Priority Montagne des

Creoles (MDC) C. myrtifolia

population: Magenta C. mauritiana in Reu PCH pop in Mru

Lessons learnt

Value of ecogeographic surveys Conservation threats assessment Value of genetic analysis and determination

of genetic diversity hotspots Helps in validating taxonomic relatedness

among species Effectiveness of protected areas Setting up of priorities for conservation

Thank you