SBAPP in Red-Listing exercise of endemic, non-endemic plant species
Posted By
James MphandePosted on
13th Nov, 2024
By Mary Mwambongo
According to the first Global Tree Assessment released in October 2024 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 38% of the world’s tree species are at risk of extinction.
This is mainly due to factors like climate change, deforestation for urbanization, and agricultural expansion.
In response to this global concern, the Spatial Biodiversity Assessment, Prioritization and Planning (SBAPP) project, hosted at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and implemented in partnership with the Environmental Affairs Department (EAD), is conducting a species assessment exercise to identify and analyze endangered plant species.
The goal is to find practical solutions to conserve these species and ensure their survival.
The exercise began on November 12, and has already assessed 18 endemic plant species, including Terminalia which is one of the endangered endemic species.
Dr Elizabeth Mwafongo, a botanist at the National Herbarium and Botanical Gardens of Malawi and the lead expert in the assessment, emphasized the importance of this project.
She explained that it will help identify the most endangered plant species in Malawi and develop strategies to protect them.
The project’s findings will play a crucial role in the preservation of biodiversity in the country, which is vital not only for Malawi’s environment but also for its economy.
Plants are an essential part of life as they provide medicine and fuel etc, and are key to maintaining the climate.
By safeguarding these species, the project contributes to the country's long-term sustainability and aligns with global efforts to combat biodiversity loss.
Dr Tionge Mzumara-Gawa, the SBAPP project coordinator in Malawi, was also present at the event and helped in coordinating the ongoing assessment work.
The exercise is vital for both Malawi and the world as it will provide a clearer understanding of the state of the country’s plant species and the actions needed to protect them.
The project is also an important step in ensuring the future health of Malawi’s ecosystems and contributing to global conservation efforts.
SBAPP is a regional project implemented in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa with regional coordination frim SANBI and funded by Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) and Fonds Francais pour l'Environnement Mondial (FFEM).
According to the first Global Tree Assessment released in October 2024 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 38% of the world’s tree species are at risk of extinction.
This is mainly due to factors like climate change, deforestation for urbanization, and agricultural expansion.
In response to this global concern, the Spatial Biodiversity Assessment, Prioritization and Planning (SBAPP) project, hosted at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and implemented in partnership with the Environmental Affairs Department (EAD), is conducting a species assessment exercise to identify and analyze endangered plant species.
The goal is to find practical solutions to conserve these species and ensure their survival.
The exercise began on November 12, and has already assessed 18 endemic plant species, including Terminalia which is one of the endangered endemic species.
Dr Elizabeth Mwafongo, a botanist at the National Herbarium and Botanical Gardens of Malawi and the lead expert in the assessment, emphasized the importance of this project.
She explained that it will help identify the most endangered plant species in Malawi and develop strategies to protect them.
The project’s findings will play a crucial role in the preservation of biodiversity in the country, which is vital not only for Malawi’s environment but also for its economy.
Plants are an essential part of life as they provide medicine and fuel etc, and are key to maintaining the climate.
By safeguarding these species, the project contributes to the country's long-term sustainability and aligns with global efforts to combat biodiversity loss.
Dr Tionge Mzumara-Gawa, the SBAPP project coordinator in Malawi, was also present at the event and helped in coordinating the ongoing assessment work.
The exercise is vital for both Malawi and the world as it will provide a clearer understanding of the state of the country’s plant species and the actions needed to protect them.
The project is also an important step in ensuring the future health of Malawi’s ecosystems and contributing to global conservation efforts.
SBAPP is a regional project implemented in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa with regional coordination frim SANBI and funded by Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) and Fonds Francais pour l'Environnement Mondial (FFEM).