Jardín Botánico de Cartagena “Guillermo Piñeres” (JBGP) has been undertaking a leading role in research and restoration of the tropical dry forest from the Caribbean region of Colombia.

Tropical dry forest is one of Colombia’s most endangered ecosystems; only 8% of its original extent remains. It is threatened by urban expansion and livestock farming, increasing natural disasters frequency and the rise of carbon emissions, which all lead to biodiversity loss.

JBGP is a hub of botanical expertise with a herbarium and seed bank on site. Seed used for restoration is collected from natural and local sources. Since 2016, all seed collections are also associated with herbarium vouchers to record the provenance of each tree. The botanic garden has built a research nursery to develop propagation protocols for native and threatened tree species.

JBGP is working with local communities from the Matute Basin, Barú, and Montes de María areas in the Caribbean. A tree nursery was built, and training provided on nursery management and forest restoration with the inhabitants of Camarón, Montes de María. Restoration agreements were signed with local landowners, and restoration activities were implemented, improving biological connectivity in the region. JBGP will replicate this model in other locations in the Colombia.

Key results include:

• 10,000 tree seedlings have been planted to date
• 250 community members have been engaged with restoration activities
• 16,000 seedlings in JBGP nursery ready to be supplied for future restoration actions

For more information on this project, please contact: Santiago Madriñán

Related News

BGCI Webinar Series: Watch it again, Increasing Demand for Native Species

Learn more