PRESENTATION ON CONSERVATION & PLANT CARE AND MAINTENANCE By: D. RAMJEEAWON NPCS 29 April 2014 EARTHDAY ILLOT COMMUNITY CENTRE

National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) The National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) was established on 9 May 1994 under Section 8 of the Wildlife and National Parks Act 1993

NPCS l a remarkable breakthrough in terms of protection and sustainable management terrestrial biodiversity resources

Mission statement of NPCS l To ensure a sustainable management and restoration of native terrestrial Mauritian fauna and flora so as to retain its genetic biodiversity for the future generations through in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies, ecosystem restoration, public awareness, promotion of ecotourism and implementation of international biodiversity agreements.”

Objectives l Native flora conservation through in situ and ex situ management l Native fauna conservation through breeding and release programmes l Wetlands management l Public sensitisation through several activities

Objectives (Contd) l Management of the Black River Gorges National Park l Promotion of ecotourism through creation of ecotourism sites l Restoration and management of offshore islets l Control of Alien Invasive Species l Management Authority for CITES permits

Basic facts on native flowering plants of Mauritius l 685 species recorded l 311 species endemic to Mauritius l 150 species endemic to Mascarenes l 70 species are believed to be extinct l 141 species are considered to be critically endangered l 200 species of ferns and orchids

Native Plant Propagation Centre l NPPC has been set up in 1996 as an important ex-situ facility for the safeguard of our native plants l NPPC is intensively involved in the propagation of threatened native plant species, seed banking, education, public awareness and research.

l an ex-situ facility for the conservation of native flora of Mauritius l The centre has successfully propagated about 300 species of native plants l Infrastructural Facilities:  a greenhouse  one shade house  one fernery unit  a seed bank Laboratory

Ammenities at NPPC

Critically endangered species l Trochetia boutoniana (National flower) l Psiadia canescens l Psidia cataractae l Nesocodon mauritianus l Dombeya populnea l Ramosmania rodriguesiana

Nursery propagates plants for: –Ex situ conservation- arborertum as field genebank –Reintroduction in the wild most specifically in managed areas(CMAs). –Reintroduction in offshore islets (e.g. Round Island restoration, Flat Island and Gabriel Isld.) –Sale to the general public. –Creation of endemic gardens in schools and colleges

Propagation l Propagation of threatened plants is carried out both sexually by seeds and vegetatively by cuttings mainly, grafting, layering, spores and bulbils using specific techniques.

Methods of propagation

STEM CUTTINGS  Timing and Selection of cuttings l early morning is the best time to take cuttings l should be able to bend diameter should be of a pencil sized l include 2 or 3 buds on each cutting l On hollow stems, cut just below the node on the bottom and just above the node on top

STEM CUTTINGS (Contd) l Place cutting in water immediately after taking cutting l be sure to remember which is the top of the cutting l cut bottom at an angle l cut top straight across

STEM CUTTINGS (Contd) l Preparing Container & Rooting media l containers must have holes in the bottom for drainage l medium should be sterile l mix medium before wilting to assure uniform mixture

STEM CUTTINGS (Contd) l Making the cuttings l make as many 3 or 4 inch cuttings as possible from each shoot l cut bottom at an angle l allows more surface area to contact rooting media for water absorption

STEM CUTTINGS (Contd)  Treating and Inserting Cutting l Rooting hormone- Seradix or Dynaroot l Chemicals which help cuttings grow more quickly and grow a larger number of roots l rooting hormones may contain fungicide

STEM CUTTINGS (Contd) l place cutting in medium no more than 2 inches deep l Do not press media around cutting, water to settle around it

STEM CUTTINGS (Contd) l Enclose containers in clear plastic l place out or direct sunlight l keep temp down

CARE & CULTURAL OPERATIONS l WATERING l WEEDING l FERTILISATION l CONTROL OF PESTS & DISEASES l PRUNNING

Awareness and Community Integration

Restoration Work- Outer Islets

Contact Details l National Parks and Conservation Service- Reduit Head Office l Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security l Tel No: ; Fax No: l

Contact Details l Mr. D. Ramjeeawon l Native Plant Propagation Centre l National Parks and Conservation Service l Robinson Road, Curepipe l Tel No: / l

©Tamar Ron THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION