Funded by The Botanist, via the Global Botanic Garden Fund

Project Completed: 2024

Institution: Sociedade Chauá

Establishment of a seed and seedling bank for endangered species of the southern brazilian Araucaria Forest

Introduction

For over 20 years, Chauá Society has dedicated itself to conserving plant species in Brazil’s degraded Araucaria Forest and grasslands, facing threats from land use changes. Strategies involve mapping individuals, collecting seeds, producing, planting, and distributing seedlings.

Project Goals 

This project aimed to enhance seedling production for restoration, focusing on two groups of species:

1. well-known threatened species including Cedrela fissilis, Butia eriospatha, and Ocotea porosa, with extensive knowledge and easy access.
2. critically endangered microendemic species, including Butia pubispatha, Galianthe souzae, and Mimosa strobiliflora.

To ensure long-term survival, the project included the establishment of seedling banks and translocation of Butia pubispatha individuals to protected areas.

Key Achievements

Propagule collections were successfully carried out across 13 municipalities, covering over 18 sites within the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo. 260 adult plants were translocated and during the project period 980 seedlings have been planted.

This is a long term project which aims to produce approximately 500,000 seedlings, with seeds from some species being suitable for long-term storage.

Seed exchanges with partner institutions are planned, and gradual production will continue over the coming years. Despite limited seed availability for Butia pubispatha, the project has contributed to long-term conservation goals.