Building on the success of a previous three-year project (2022-2024) focused on the conservation of the endangered Castanopsis argentea and Castanopsis tungurrut around Mount Halimun Salak National Park, The Ethnobiological Society of Indonesia (PMEI) is proud to announce a new initiative. This follow-up project, running from 2025 to 2027, will target two other critically important sister species: the endangered Sulawesi cinnamon trees, Cinnamomum sulavesianum (EN) and Cinnamomum subaveniopsis (EN).
The new project is funded by the Franklinia Foundation through the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). For its implementation in South Sulawesi, PMEI is collaborating with the Research Center for Biodiversity and Natural Heritage (Puslitbang Biodiversitas dan Natural Heritage), part of the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) of Hasanuddin University.
A key aspect of this project is the strategic choice of location. The Research Center has an existing partnership with PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, one of the largest nickel mining companies operating in the country. This collaboration has enabled the project to base its population studies within the PT Vale concession forest area around Lake Matano. Nearly century-old herbarium records confirm that this area is a native habitat for both target Cinnamomum species.
In addition to the PT Vale concession, field studies will also be conducted in the Hasanuddin University Educational Forest, which is directly adjacent to Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, providing a comparative landscape for conservation research.
Cinnamomum sulavesianum
Cinnamomum subaveniopsis
The project's 2025 activities will commence with detailed population studies at both locations. This crucial first step will assess the health, size, and distribution of the remaining populations. Following this, the team will collect propagation material (seeds) to establish conservation collections and nurture seedlings for future planting. The final phases of the project will focus on the reintroduction of these threatened trees into secured habitats and a comprehensive public outreach program to engage local communities and stakeholders in their long-term protection.
This project represents a vital link in the chain of Indonesian plant conservation. By working with academic and corporate partners, we can leverage existing relationships and scientific knowledge to make a tangible impact on saving these endangered species from extinction. Our previous success with Castanopsis gives us a strong model to follow.