A new project for the use of indigenous plant species in Reunion Island (FR)
A new project has recently been launched by the Conservatoire Botanique National de Mascarin in Reunion Island on how to encourage the use of ornamental indigenous plants instead of invasive alien ones. The project will last for 24 months and involve the following partners: horticulture professionals (plant producers, landscapers, etc.), staff from the municipalities, managers of natural areas, teachers and trainers. The project is divided in two steps:
- To provide the horticulture industry with information on how to produce 152 indigenous species to be sold for use in the urban and peri-urban areas. A charter should be elaborated for the use of indigenous species, including a labeling procedure to indicate that the species is indigenous.
- To develop a web forum to raise awareness on flora and habitats conservation in Reunion Island; and to establish a seed bank of indigenous species, in particular by maintaining a collection of species in arboreta.
Sources
Conservatoire Botanique National de Mascarin, Centre Permanent d’Initiatives pour l’Environnement (2011) Démarche Aménagement Urbain et Plantes Indigènes (DAUPI), 45 pp.
Personnal communication with Christophe Lavergne, Conservatoire Botanique National de Mascarin, E-mail;: clavergne@cbnm.org