Assessing the role of habitat fragmentation on the threatened extinction of cycads (Cycas)

Objectives

• To estimate relative population sizes of threatened Cycads spp. within and outside protected areas.
  
• To determine patters of genetic variation within and between the populations to understand the extent of genetic erosion and its relevance to the extinction of cycad populations.
  search Theme

• To assess the relevance of genetic erosion through the determination of the genetic variations within populations and subpopulations of varying sizes.
  
• To assess the phenotypic variability in relation to seedling size, reproductive effect, etc.
  
• To estimate the sex ratios and investigate the breeding systems of threatened cycads in small and large populations.
  
• To design strategies that would minimize conflicts of interests with local people who have traditionally relied on cycads for food, medicine, etc.

Research Theme

• Ecological Reconstruction

Activities

• Investigation in the field on the distribution, population size and relative distance between the examined populations and the nearest neighboring populations.
  
• Survey of study sites and collection of samples.
  
• Analysis in the laboratory to estimate genetic parameters like allele frequencies for subpopulations and populations at all loci.
  
• Conduct socio-economic surveys to assess the degree of threat for Cycas populations.

Expected Outcomes

• The research will provide the local authorities and the Forestry Protection Department scientific basis for promoting the conservation of threatened cycads.

Indicative Budget

• 75,888 euro

Duration

• Three year

Project site

• Provinces of Quang Ninh, Tuyen Quang, Bac Can, Hoa Binh, Ha Tay and Vin Phu, Cat Ba National Park, Ninh Binh, Lang Son, Son La, Nghe An, Yen Bai, Vietnam

ARCBC Remarks

• Provides a more species oriented view of the effects of habitat fragmentation. Project should be linked to other forest fragmentation studies e.g. West Java.

Implementing Agency