Another important step in the conservation of endangered faveiros

Between May 20 and 22, the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute, through the Center for Strategies for the Conservation of Endangered Flora (NuEC) of the National Center for Flora Conservation (CNCFlora), held the 1st Monitoring Workshop of the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Endangered Faveiros (Dimorphandra Schott). This plan, formalized by JBRJ Ordinance No. 14 of May 12, 2023, establishes priority strategies for the conservation of two Brazilian trees "In danger" (EN) of extinction: the faveiro-da-mata (Dimorphandra exaltata Schott) and the faveiro-de-wilson (Dimorphandra wilsonii Rizzini).

Held virtually, the workshop brought together 27 participants, including members of the Technical Advisory Group (GAT) and collaborators from various research institutions and civil society, such as AASE, EMATER-MG, Embrapa-Florestas, FPMZB-BH, IPA-SP, NuEC/CNCFlora/JBRJ, SAFZB-BH, UFMG, UFSJ-Sete Lagoas and UFV-Florestal. The main objective was to monitor the progress of the 25 actions set out in the PAN, identify challenges and make the necessary adjustments to ensure the effective implementation of the strategies.

Participants in the 1st PAN Faveiros Monitoring Workshop

During the event, crucial issues such as species conservation, genetic studies and the impacts of climate change were discussed. The results showed that 48% of the actions are underway, 24% have not yet started as planned, 12% are facing difficulties and 16% are scheduled to start in the next few years.

Marcio Verdi, coordinator of the PAN Faveiros (NuEC/CNCFlora/JBRJ), evaluated the results as satisfactory for the first year of implementation: "We have almost half of the actions underway and excellent products generated. In addition, the group has submitted some proposals to raise funds to carry out the actions and, recently, one of them was awarded by an international fund for the conservation of endangered species."

João Paulo de Sousa, Executive Coordinator of the PAN (UFV-Florestal), highlighted the advances in research into the ecology and genetics of the faveiros: "I'm very happy to see that various initiatives are being carried out within the scope of the PAN Faveiros. In particular, I see that research into the ecology and genetics of the endangered faveiros has made great progress and will form the basis for conservation and management plans for the populations in their areas of occurrence."

The promising results of this first monitoring reinforces the commitment of everyone involved in carrying out the actions and conserving these endangered species.

Editor: Verônica Marques
Photos: Fernando M. Fernandes