A team of Planta! explores the intricate shores of the Agabama River in Santa Clara looking for new individuals of Rhodogeron coronopifolius, a unique plant from the riparian forests of Central Cuba. After two days of intense walking, they feel rewarded.
Date: 24/04/2019
Project: Conservation of riparian forests in serpentines of Central Cuba.
Dwarf jewel of our flora and the only species of its kind in the world, Rhodogeron coronopifolius is an exclusive plant of the savannas of Santa Clara at risk of extinction. It grows only in a few remnant forests of this region, strongly rooted on the shore of nearby streams that provide the humidity this plant desperately needs to thrive.
Finding new individuals and identify areas to establish other populations of this species were our guiding goals. We travelled to a unique place of the protected area “Sabanas de Santa Clara” in Central Cuba.
When the Agabama dam appears before us after two kilometers of walking, we know we have trespassed a threshold. Soon enough, everything that is known and documented will be left behind. This looks like an abandoned site, filled with untold stories and treasures yet to be discovered. Part of the upper slope of the stream collapsed after a flood of the dam, and beyond this point the stream disappears in cluster of ponds where some fishes aim to survive.
The drought at this time of the year leaves a trail of dry branches everywhere and a grey soil where calcium salts accumulate after water evaporates. This is particularly bad for R. coronopifolius. In fact, previous attempts of propagating the species using traditional methods have failed because it is very difficult to control the humidity of the soil. Since we cannot increase the chances of rain either, the challenge stands. “There must be something we can do to increase their survival in the wild“. Holding on to that thought, we continued upstream.
Our eyes scan every inch of the shore of the Agabama River looking for new individuals of the species. Suddenly, we realize we are not alone. Up on the many endemic trees around us, we can hear an ongoing concert of birds, with hawks and woodpeckers among them. Out of nowhere, we come across a hut built with palm leaves with a charcoal furnace beside it; and the ruins of a fortress from colonial times, and what remains from a telegraph that belonged to the Spanish army. For a moment, this vision took us back in time.
At sunset on the first day, we decided to camp by the river so we set up the tents for the night. It was hard to sleep, but eventually fatigue overcame us.
“To save the Rhodogeron, it is essential the support of motivated volunteers with skills to work in these difficult circumstances. That’s why we dedicate many hours to the training of our team”.
Coordinator of the Rhodogeron coronopifolius conservation project
Professor at the Central University of Las Villas “Marta Abreu”
The next morning, after breakfast, we packed everything and restarted our search. The river was widening up along our way, tempting us for a short swim. Then we saw them. One by one, new individuals of Rhodogeron were guiding our steps in a site with no previous records of its presence. We started counting and measuring the plants while our vision of the species in this location expanded.
There are two populations now, with the dam in between. Neither the floods nor the drought have managed to banish this little plant from its land. New adventures await us. Our work will continue until we rescue Rhodogeron coronopifolius from the edge of exctintion.
by Alejandro Palmarola
A Project from the Madagascar Plant Specialist Group was funded by Planta! as part of the SSC – Internal Grant since January 2020. The Project aims to create an action plan to preserve Critically Endangered regional plants.
by Alina Cuza
Published in 2013 in Bissea, “The top 50 most threatened plants of Cuba” has inspired conservation actions across Cuba. It has been a call for conservationists, local communities, and stakeholders, gathered by the common interest of protecting the unique flora of Cuba.
by Maritza Deroncelé
Maritza Deroncelé is a psychologist turned into a conservationist. Currently the Natural Reserve “El Retiro” manager, she tells us how her work preserving the Aguacate cimarron, changed her life.
