Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 3.T.1.

9 Terrestrial Species - Plants Banara caymanensis

Rev: 19 March 2012

MAT COTTAM

Banara caymanensis Proctor Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Malpighiales, Family: Salicaceae Genus: Banara, Species: caymanensis Banara is a widely distributed neotropical genus of about 37 species (Proctor 2009). Banara caymanensis is a species unique to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Known populations are restricted to two cliff-top locations on the south side of Cayman Brac, and the northwestern margin of the Central Forest on Little Cayman. Status Distribution: Species endemic to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Conservation: Critically endangered CR C2a(i,ii) (The Red List, Burton 2008a). Legal: Banara caymanensis currently has no legal protection in the Cayman Islands. Pending legislation, it would be protected under the National Conservation Law (Schedule I). The Department of Environment would be the lead body for legal protection.
For Reference and Acknowledgement: Cottam, M., Olynik, J., Blumenthal, J., Godbeer, K.D., Gibb, J., Bothwell, J., Burton, F.J., Bradley, P.E., Band, A., Austin, T., Bush, P., Johnson, B.J., Hurlston, L., Bishop, L., McCoy, C., Parsons, G., Kirkconnell, J., Halford, S. and Ebanks-Petrie, G. (2009). Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009. Cayman Islands Government. Department of Environment. Final Formatting and production by John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation.

Section: 3.T.1.9 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Banara caymanensis Page: 1

Natural History Banara caymanensis is a small, woody shrub of dry shrubland; featuring wiry, slightly zigzag branches and shiny, minutely toothed leaves. Banara caymanensis flowers in June, however, no sighting of fruit has ever been recorded. Current estimates suggest there may be between 30 and 150 individuals in the wild, distributed in four small clusters. Associated Habitats and Species for Banara ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.T.3 Dry Shrubland Current Factors Affecting Banara Extreme range limitation: known only from four small clusters of individuals, Banara caymanensis will be especially prone to localised environmental perturbation. Its presence on both Little Cayman and Cayman Brac mitigates immediate risk to some extent. Habitat loss: clearance and development of unprotected habitat. Protected areas: a significant proportion of the known population currently exists naturally within the National Trust Brac Parrot Reserve. Fecundity: no fruits have ever been sighted, so potential for recruitment to the current population is unknown, as is the potential for collection of seeds for conservation banking and propagation. Landscaping potential: the compact form of Banara caymanensis make it suitable for landscaping, though issues of fecundity will limit potential for propagation. Habitat security: the localised nature of the Bracs Bluff-edge population makes it susceptible to severe weather. Proximity to trailhead may also increase potential for wildfire. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Banara While a significant proportion of the known population of Banara caymanensis currently exists naturally within the National Trusts Brac Parrot Reserve, there is no specific action focused on the preservation of this species. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Banara OBJECTIVES 1. Reverse population decline of Banara caymanensis and raise Red List status by at least one category, from critically endangered. 2. Preserve in situ populations of Banara caymanensis. 3. Develop inter-situ cultivation and conservation programme for Banara caymanensis based in the Sister Islands. TARGET 2015 2015 2012 ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Cayman Parrot Amazona leucocephala Agave Agave caymanensis Cedar Cedrela odorata

Banara caymanensis PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Protect Banara caymanensis under Schedule I of the National Conservation Law, through establishment of conservation regulations.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3 1,2 1,2,3

CIG DoE DoE

DoE CIG CIG Page: 2

2006 2006 2006

Section: 3.T.1.9 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Banara caymanensis

Banara caymanensis PROPOSED ACTION PL4. Reduce the threat of a catastrophic loss of the remaining populations, through involvement with the Millennium Seedbank Project. PL5. Promote amendment of the Planning Law, to facilitate rapid imposition of stop-orders on illegal developments and provide a responsive and effective enforcement mechanism. PL6. Promote establishment of a Development Plan for the Sister Islands, incorporating a long-term vision for the environmental, social, and economic development of the Islands. SM1. Subject to RM1 Use the Environmental Protection Fund to expand the Brac Parrot reserve, and/or protect Little Cayman population, to protect Banara caymanensis population in situ. SM2. Establish Growing Stations on Cayman Brac, from which to propagate, investigate and plant out key species of plants and trees of local significance, targeting private gardens and landscaping schemes. SM3. Collect seeds under Millennium Seedbank Project protocol and bank at Kew, with replicate collection for local conservation propagation. SM4. Implement associated HAPs. Advisory A1. Promote use of native plants in landscaping, through maintenance of existing vegetation and use of Recommended Planting Palette in new developments. A2. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. RM1. Survey and map remaining populations of Banara caymanensis in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

LEAD DoE RBGK DoP DoP DCB

PARTNERS QEIIBP DoE CIG CIG MP DoE

TARGET 2010 2010

MEETS OBJECTIVE 3 1,2

ongoing

1,2

Safeguards & Management CC DoE QEIIBP DoE RBGK QEIIBP DoE NT, MP DoE CIG MP RBGK 2010 1,2

2010

1,3

2012 2015

3 1,2,3

DoP DoE

DoE CIG NT

2009 2006

1,2,3 1,2,3

Research & Monitoring DoE NT 2010 2

RM1. REPORT: Preliminary survey of Cayman Brac following Hurricane Paloma reveals wind damage to Banara, however, still viable, Nov 2008. RM2. Determine natural fruiting period, and collect seeds. RM3. Collect seed under Millennium Seedbank Project protocol, including voucher specimens and in situ habit images, and transpose into searchable electronic format, linked to Field Collections Database. RM4. Reassess IUCN Red List status of Banara caymanensis locally. CP1. Raise awareness of the unique nature of Banara caymanensis and other endemic flora and fauna. NT DoE DoE DoE NT QEIIBP DoE DoP NT QEIIBP CIG MP CN GC OS SB LCN DoE RBGK QEIIBP 2010 2010 2015 1,3 3 1

Communication & Publicity 2008 1,2,3

CP1. REPORT: Banara caymanensis featured in Red List of Flora (Burton 2008a). CP2. Raise awareness of the value of native landscaping, and promote the use of Banara caymanensis. CP3. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. MP CN GC OS SB LCN DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP 2010 1,2,3

2010

1,2,3

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References and Futher Reading for Banara

Burton, F. (2007). Wild Trees in the Cayman Islands (2nd edition). International Reptile Conservation Foundation, USA. ISBN 978-1-4276-2168-9 Burton, F.J. (2008a). Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands: The Red List. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew: Richmond, Surrey UK. Burton, F.J. (2008b). Vegetation Classification for the Cayman Islands. In: Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands: The Red List. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew: Richmond, Surrey UK. Proctor, G.R. (1984). Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Bulletin Additional Series XI. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Her Majestys Stationary Office. London. ISBN 0-11-242548-8. Proctor, G.R. (2012) Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Publishing. 736 pp. ISBN: 9781842464038

Section: 3.T.1.9 Terrestrial Species - Plants - Banara caymanensis

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