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listing as the official status of the species. As such, this marks
a significant advancement and an important breakthrough in
the long-running debate about the utility of IUCN Red List
criteria for widely distributed, long-lived species such as
marine turtles. The subpopulation listing comes after the
careful development by the MTSG of two key processes: The
delineation of Regional Management Units for sea turtles
(Wallace et al. 2010) which was recognized by IUCN as proxy
for IUCN Red List subpopulations, and the subsequent
prioritisation exercise to focus conservation where it is most
urgently needed (Wallace et al. 2011). These new listings
provide an invaluable tool for prioritizing sea turtle conservation
at all scales, by more accurately reflecting the wide variation in
the risk of extinction faced by sea turtles in different parts of
the planet; particularly in distinct ocean regions where there is
no interaction with other subpopulations. We are now working
on updated assessments for the other species using this
approach, and are making other improvements to how we
interpret and apply IUCN Red List criteria to marine turtles in
general. The loggerhead assessment is currently undergoing a
data collection process, and the green turtle assessment is
also underway. The flatback assessment is pending final
review, and the Kemp’s ridley assessment is planned for 2014.
We are grateful to the hundreds of data providers and the
MTSG Assessment Committee, along with the assessors
themselves for their dedication to sea turtle conservation at a
global scale.
Rod Mast and Nicolas Pilcher
Co-chairs, Marine Turtle Specialist Group
Mascarene Islands Plant Specialist Group
Mauritius: Rare plant searches were regularly carried out in
2013 by members of the MIPSG as part of their duties both
individually and in partnership. Field prospection included the
following national conservation institutions; Forestry Service,
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Mauritius Herbarium, National
Parks and Conservation Service, University of Mauritius, and
amateur botanists.
Several new populations of Critically Endangered species
were found including Carissa spinarum, Chassalia boryana,
Chionanthus boutonii, Gouania tiliifolia, and Secamone
dilapidans. One new species was described: Eugenia alletiana.
This new species is Critically Endangered and is known from
less than 30 adults, in three localities. Dozens of Dictyosperma
album var. conjugatum were propagated for the first time in
nearly 20 years. There is therefore new hope for this variety,
which has been reduced to one individual in the wild. Forty
seedlings are now growing in the nursery on Round Island,
from plants produced some twenty years ago and growing on
Mauritius. The closure and relocation of The Mauritius
Herbarium has been averted, at least for the time being.
However, one of its collections has been taken away. The
realignment and enlargement of the Holyrood Road and bridge
has been averted. This would have destroyed one of 10
remaining wild Ficus laterifolia, and one of 25 remaining
Gouania tiliifolia. The National Invasive Alien Species Committee
was rarely invited to advise on plant introductions to Mauritius,
despite the general feeling that many species are arriving
illegally or accidentally. However, two projects for plant
introductions were examined by the committee – the creation of
a Bamboo Garden, and commercial plantation of Arundo
Ficus Laterifolia, Mauritius. © Vikash Tatayah
donax. In spite of negative views expressed by several
members relating to invasiveness, and additionally views
submitted by the IUCN in the case of the Bamboo Garden,
both projects appear to be going ahead.
Rodrigues (Mauritius): Botanical Gardens Conservation
International has conducted a feasibility study for the setting
up of the Mourouk Botanical Gardens in Rodrigues.
Restoration of the Grande Montagne and Anse Quitor Nature
Reserves undertaken by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and
the Forestry Services continued. At Grande Montagne the
dozens of planted Ramosmania rodriguesii continued to be
monitored and were doing well. An agreement was reached
between the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the Mauritian
Wildlife Foundation, for the development of ecotourism at
Grande Montagne Nature Reserve.
Mascarenes: The Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund
(CEPF) initiated an ecosystem profiling study for the
Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean Islands Hotspot
through Conservation International (Madagascar). This study
will also cover the Mascarenes, and the profile will identify key
projects to fund in the region.
La Réunion: Major collaboration to protect and conserve
threatened wild plant populations involving the national
botanical garden (Conservatoire Botanique National de
Mascarin CBNM), the forestry services (Office National des
Forets ONF and the natural areas conservatory CEN-GCEIP),
the French coastal protection agency (conservatoire du littoral),
the National Park of La Réunion, the municipalities, NGOs
funded by the French Ministry of Environment, the Regional
and General Councils, and the Europe funds. The Reunion
Island IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has now been
published (UICN France, CBNM, FCBN and MNHN 2013) and
is available here.
Dr Vikash Tatayah and Dr Stéphane Baret
Co-chairs, Mascarene Islands Plant Specialist Group
68 IUCN species Annual Report 2013