Paper short abstract:

Conservation of the Critically Endangered Mulanje Cedar tree in Malawi has been a partnership of local research & conservation organisations; international botanic garden scientists (restoration ecologists, soil scientists and foresters); & local communities to propagate, plant & sustainably use it.

Paper long abstract:

In Mount Mulanje, the Critically Endangered Mulanje Cedar tree (Widdringtonia whytei) has been logged to near extinction. The dense populations that live around the mountain have high poverty rates and rely on the mountain resources to supplement their livelihoods. With a lack of law enforcement capacity, this has caused overharvesting. Local conservation NGO Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT) partnered with the Forestry Research Institute of Malawi (FRIM), Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and local communities to address the issues associated with Mulanje Cedar conservation. Researchers from BGCI’s network and FRIM ran germination trials to understand how best to propagate the tree and used the lessons learnt to train local communities in 8 newly established nurseries to propagate high numbers of seedlings for restoration planting. MMCT and communities then planted over 500,000 seedlings on the mountain, helping to change local perceptions that this wild tree cannot be propagated and planted successfully. To improve restoration practices, international experts from the Ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens - soil scientists and restoration ecologists – have helped to design trials to investigate how best to plant the tree on the mountain. This is investigating the local environmental conditions Mulanje Cedar trees thrive in, including the impacts of different local plant species, some of which may provide positive mycorrhizal soil communities. At the same time, Malawian researchers from Mzuzu University have been investigating potential future uses of the Mulanje Cedar –essential oils from leaves may offer sustainable new value chains and benefits to local people.