Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew UK Overseas Territories

Puerto Rican Bank (British Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico) April 2016 Fieldwork report and photographic supplement

Overseas Fieldwork Committee (OFC) registration number 559-10

Dr Martin A. Hamilton, Research Leader (UKOTs), and Sara Barrios, Conservation Partnership Co-ordinator (Islands), UK & Islands Programme, Conservation Science Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

PRVI field report April 2016

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Acknowledgements Kew wishes to thank NPTVI and PR partners (DRNA, USFWS, MAPR & FLMM) for their continued support and assistance in the field and for providing necessary research permits and letters to other government departments to facilitate the visit. Thanks to CTS for his work to organise the Plant Conservation in the Caribbean symposium during the Biodiversity without Boundaries (BWB) 2016 conference in San Juan, PR. Thanks also to OM for organising a meeting between USFWS, Kew, DRNA and NPTVI to discuss collaborative conservation of Varronia rupicola at the USFWS Cabo Rojo Office. Also thanks to JS for access to SJ herbarium, especially outside normal working hours. The project team wish to thank our main funder for supporting for these activities: The UK Government’s Darwin Initiative through the Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund (a.k.a. Darwin Plus)

Suggested citation Hamilton, M. A. & Barrios, S. (2016). Puerto Rican Bank (British Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico) April 2016 fieldwork report. Overseas Fieldwork Committee registration number 559-10. Richmond, Surrey, U.K.: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please direct queries and feedback to: Dr Martin A. Hamilton Research Leader (UKOTs) Conservation Science Department The Herbarium, Kew Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE United Kingdom +44 (0)2083325020 +44 (0)2083325278 [fax] [email protected]

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Contents Title page……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………i Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................. 2 Suggested citation................................................................................................................................... 2 Contents .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Figures ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Cover photos ....................................................................................................................................... 5 In-text photos...................................................................................................................................... 5 List of participants................................................................................................................................... 7 Acronyms ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Daily log................................................................................................................................................. 11 07/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 11 08/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 11 09/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 11 10/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 12 11/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 13 12/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 14 13/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 15 14/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 17 15/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 18 16/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 19 17/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 19 18/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 19 19/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 20 20/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 21 21/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 21 22/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 23 23/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 24 24/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 26 25/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 26 26/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 27/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 28/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 Page 3 of 110


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29/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 30/04/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 01/05/2016 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 Findings and Notes................................................................................................................................ 28 Meetings and collaboration development ....................................................................................... 28 PR .................................................................................................................................................. 28 BVI ................................................................................................................................................. 28 Collecting and survey work ............................................................................................................... 29 Anegada ........................................................................................................................................ 30 Tortola ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Virgin Gorda .................................................................................................................................. 32 J.R. O’Neal Botanic Garden ............................................................................................................... 33 Key recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 34 J.R. O’Neal Botanic Garden ............................................................................................................... 34 Botanical centre ............................................................................................................................ 34 Conservation/threatened plant display ........................................................................................ 34 Nursery .......................................................................................................................................... 34 Ongoing work ................................................................................................................................ 35 Appendix 1: PRVI April 2016 field visit itinerary ................................................................................... 36 Appendix 2: DPLUS 030 planning meetings .......................................................................................... 37 Expected Outcomes .......................................................................................................................... 37 Meeting notes ................................................................................................................................... 37 Travel planning .............................................................................................................................. 37 Appendix 3: Biodiversity Without Boundaries 2016 ............................................................................. 39 Caribbean Plant Conservation Symposium background ................................................................... 53 Plant Conservation in the Caribbean – Day 1 ................................................................................... 55 Plant Conservation in the Caribbean – Day 2 ................................................................................... 56 Appendix 4: Twitter feed Storify compilation – April 2016 .................................................................. 57

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Figures Cover photos Top left: Bastardiopsis eggersii (Malvaceae) established in the JROBG from seed grown in the NPTVI nursery © Dr M.A. Hamilton. Top right: Natasha Harrigan collecting cuttings in the Shark Bay National Park for propagation at JROBG © Dr M.A. Hamilton. Middle left: Poitea florida (Leguminosae) flowering in Gorda Peak National Park, Virgin Gorda © Dr M.A. Hamilton. Middle right: Natasha Harrigan processing cuttings at JROBG © Dr M.A. Hamilton. Bottom left: Participants of the Plant Conservation in the Caribbean symposium during the Biodiversity without Boundaries (BWB) 2016 conference at FLMM in San Juan, PR © Dr M.A. Hamilton. Bottom right: Natasha Harrigan, Jose Sustache and Sara Barrios examining specimens prior to digitization in the SJ Herbarium © Dr M.A. Hamilton.

In-text photos Figure 1: Map of the Puerto Rican Bank. ................................................................................................ 9 Figure 2: Survey area on Anegada 08/04/2016. ................................................................................... 11 Figure 3: Survey area on Anegada 09/04/2016. ................................................................................... 12 Figure 4: Leptocereus quadricostatus population monitoring: Camera trap deployed to record timelapse imagery of reproduction (Left); Flower buds observed (Right) © Martin Hamilton. .................. 12 Figure 5: Items seen in surf at Loblolly Bay © Dr Martin Hamilton. ..................................................... 13 Figure 6: Established threatened plants in the native display at the JROBG: (From top left to bottom right) Bastardiopsis eggersii, Rondeletia pilosa, Eugenia sessiliflora, Croton fishlockii, Varronia rupicola, Machaonia woodburyana and Malpighia woodburyana © Dr Martin Hamilton,................. 14 Figure 7: Survey area on Tortola 12/04/2016....................................................................................... 15 Figure 8: Field collection and propagation training for Natasha Harrigan: collecting wild material with associated data (Left), striking cuttings of wild collected material using specialist techniques (Middle) and processed cuttings in the mist unit for rooting (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton. ............................ 15 Figure 9: Results of collaborative nursery work to decrease pest and disease issues: cleared dead plants, pots of soil, weeds, rotten wood, large rocks, detritus and trash (Left and Middle) and pruning of vines growing on and over nursery to increase sunlight and decrease detritus © Dr Martin Hamilton. .............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Figure 10: Collaborative work and training to improve native plant display: Kass Penn weeds and edges threatened plants (Left) while Natasha Harrigan processes cuttings of threatened plants from material pruned out of display plants by Dr Martin Hamilton during training (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton. . 16 Figure 11: Survey area on Tortola 13/04/2016..................................................................................... 17 Figure 12: Threatened plants in Sage Mountain NP collected for propagation: Virgin islands endemic, Calyptranthes thomasiana (Left) and BVI endemic, Calyptranthes kiaerskovii (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton. .............................................................................................................................................. 17 Figure 13 : Survey area on Virgin Gorda 14/04/2016. .......................................................................... 18 Figure 14: Monitoring threatened species in Gorda Peak National Park: Natasha Harrigan inspects Calyptranthes kiaerskovii & C. thomasiana for pests prior to collecting cuttings (Left); Data logger deployed to record micro-climate data in threatened species habitat (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton. .............................................................................................................................................................. 18 Page 5 of 110


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Figure 15: Project planning, training and prioritisation: Natasha Harrigan and Riona O’Shea discussing botanical illustrations of threatened plants for use in project outputs (Left); Emily Magnaghi, Natasha Harrigan and Riona O’Shea examining Bastardiopsis eggersii for pests following training session led by Dr Martin Hamilton to assist NPTVI with increasing plant health in ex-situ collections © Dr Martin Hamilton. .............................................................................................................................................. 19 Figure 16: DRNA Secretary Carmen Guerrero presentation on conservation work across Puerto Rico © Dr Martin Hamilton. .............................................................................................................................. 20 Figure 17: Dr Martin Hamilton, Jose Sustache (© Sara Barrios), Nancy Pascoe and Natasha Harrigan (© Dr Martin Hamilton) presenting findings of collaborative work between Kew, BVI and PR colleagues at BWB 2016.............................................................................................................................................. 20 Figure 18: Caribbean Plant Conservation Symposium at FLMM: Dr Martin Hamilton discusses the development of the PRVI Plant Conservation Task Force (Left); Dr Joyce Maschinski leading discussions on Red Listing efforts in PRVI (Right) © Sara Barrios............................................................................ 21 Figure 19: Dr Martin Hamilton, Nancy Pascoe, Sara Barrios, Jose Sustache, Natasha Harrigan and Lynda Varlack visit El Yunque National Forest: El Portal Visitor Centre (Left) © Dr Martin Hamilton; Hiking Mt Britton trail (Right) © Sara Barrios........................................................................................................ 21 Figure 20 : Survey area in Cabo Rojo NWR and Bosque Estatal de Boquerón 21/04/2016. ................ 22 Figure 21: Dr Martin Hamilton presents findings of biogeography and conservation genetics research to partners at beginning of Varronia rupicola conservation planning meeting held at the USFWS offices in Cabo Rojo NWR © Sara Barrios. ....................................................................................................... 22 Figure 22: Knowledge exchange: Jose Martinez showing irrigation system in the Cabo Rojo NWR nursery to NPTVI colleagues (Top Left) © Sara Barrios; Omar Monsegur discusses the use of raised beds for bulk sowing of plant seeds for restoration (Top Right); Omar Monsegur and Lynda Varlack discuss restoration options using experience gained at Cabo Rojo NWR (Bottom Left); Vegetation destroyed by arson attack in Bosque Estatal de Boquerón provided opportunity to discuss management challenges (Bottom Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton. ........................................................ 23 Figure 23 : Survey area in Bosque Estatal De Guánica and Ponce 22/04/2016.................................... 24 Figure 24: Further knowledge exchange: Eloy Martínez Rivera with NPTVI staff during tour of visitor facilities (Left); NPTVI staff observing new infrastructure and restoration plantings in coastal area of Bosque Estatal De Guánica (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton. .................................................................. 24 Figure 25 : Survey area in Bosque Estatal de Maricao 23/04/2016...................................................... 25 Figure 26: Field training in Bosque Estatal De Maricao: Kew and PR partners provide collecting training for Natasha Harrigan (Left) © Sara Barrios; Omar Monsegur provides identification training for Natasha Harrigan (Middle); Partners observing ex-situ collection of threatened Crescentia portoricensis during visit to forest headquarters (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton. ................................ 25 Figure 27 : Survey area in Reserva Natural Punta Cucharas 23/04/2016............................................. 26 Figure 28: Digitising SJ Herbarium collections from the UKOTs: Natasha Harrigan, Sara Barrios and Jose Sustache examine herbarium specimens prior to imaging (Left); Sara Barrios and Jose Sustache imaging collections pulled out by Natasha Harrigan © Dr Martin Hamilton. ...................................... 27 Figure 29: EL-USB-2+ deployment screen using the manufacturer’s software package, EasyLogUSB. 29 Figure 30: Deployment locations of three data loggers on Anegada ................................................... 30 Figure 31: Deployment locations of three camera traps on Anegada .................................................. 31 Figure 32: Deployment locations of two data loggers on Tortola. ....................................................... 32 Figure 33: Deployment location of data logger on Virgin Gorda. ......................................................... 33

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List of participants Initials BM BS BV CC CTS CF DA DH DP EMR EM EMan GH IH IL JCB JSal JS JSA JV KB KG KP LV MAH MG MR NH NWP OM RF RM RS RO RT TMH

Name Brent Murry Barbara Sanchez Dr Benjamin Vanee Dr Colin Clubbe Christian Torres-Santana Cielo Figuerola Denise Allan Denville Hodge Diehdra Potter Eloy Martínez Rivera Edwin E. Muñiz Emily Magnaghi Gannie Harry Isha Hodge Ivan Llerandi José “Joey” Cruz Burgos José Salguero Jose Sustache Joseph Smith-Abbott Jeanine Velez Kelly Bradley Keith Grant Kass Penn Lynda Varlack Dr Martin Hamilton Dr Miguel García Marelisa Rivera Natasha Harrigan Nancy Woodfield-Pascoe Omar Monsegur Richard Friday Ronald Massicott Rondell Smith Riona O’Shea Ronnie Thomas Tom Heller

Role & Institution USFWS Lab Technician I, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Professor of Botany, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Head of Conservation Science, Kew Director, Parque Doña Inés, FLMM Seed collector, DRNA Garden Staff, NPTVI Terrestrial Warden, NPTVI Education Officer, NPTVI Guánica Forest Manager, DRNA Field Supervisor, Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office Botanical Consultant & Volunteer, NPTVI Gardener, NPTVI Agriculture Inspector, BVI Dept of Agriculture USFWS USFWS Deputy-Director of the Terrestrial Division, DRNA Botanist and SJ Herbarium Manager, DRNA Assistant Permanent Secretary, BVI Ministry of Environment MAPR manager, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Fort Worth Zoo, USA Senior Terrestrial Warden, NPTVI Terrestrial Warden, NPTVI Director, NPTVI Research Leader (UKOTs), Kew Director of the Terrestrial Division, DRNA Deputy Field Supervisor, Caribbean ES Field Office Nursery & Botanical Centre Manager, NPTVI Planning Coordinator, NPTVI Biologist/Botanist, USFWS Gardener, NPTVI Programme Coordinator, NPTVI Senior Terrestrial Warden, NPTVI Botanical artist/volunteer, NPTVI Head Gardener, NPTVI Islands Conservation Partnership Co-Coordinator, Kew

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Acronyms Acronym Definition AA

American Airlines

ABC

Anegada Beach Club British Airways British Virgin Islands Biodiversity Without Boundaries 2016, NatureServe Caribbean Landscape Conservation Cooperative Department for International Development, UK Department of Agriculture Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales Beef Island International Airport Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UK La Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín Geographic information system Global positioning system J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens, Tortola Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew London Heathrow Airport, UK UPR-Mayagüez Department of Biology Herbarium (MAPR) Miami International Airport Millennium Seed Bank Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, RBG, Kew National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands Personal digital assistant Puerto Rico San Juan International Airport Sea View Hotel United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United Kingdom Overseas Territories US Department of Agriculture US Forest Service US Fish and Wildlife Service Virgin Gorda

BA BVI BWB CLCC Dfid DoA DRNA EIS FCO FLMM GIS GPS JROBG Kew LHR MAPR MIA MSB MSBP NPTVI PDA PR SJU SVH UK UKOTs USDA USFS USFWS VG

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Introduction This report is an account of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew) expedition to the Puerto Rican Bank (Puerto Rico (PR) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI), collectively PRVI (see Figure 1)) undertaken from 1

07 to 28 April 2016. The PRVI visit was undertaken to collect baseline, phenotypic and monitoring 2

data for threatened plant species; continue digitisation of the SJ herbarium collections, 3 provide training for National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) staff in data management, processing of collections and propagation of native and threatened plant species, 4 further develop the NPTVI living collections database and attend the Biodiversity without Boundaries (BWB) 2016 conference in San Juan, PR (see Appendix 3: Biodiversity Without Boundaries 2016) to participate in a regional plant conservation symposium and present papers. The expedition was undertaken with the consent of the BVI Government through the authority of the NPTVI and PR government through the Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (DRNA). The Kew field team consisted of Martin Hamilton (BVI and PR) and Sara Barrios (PR only).

Figure 1: Map of the Puerto Rican Bank.

The visit was part of on-going regional collaborations with NPTVI and several Puerto Rican collaborators, namely the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Mayagüez Department of Biology Herbarium (MAPR), La Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín (FLMM) Parque Doña Inés Arboretum and DRNA. Besides assisting with the monitoring, documenting, and collecting of native and threatened plant species, the Kew team were specifically in the PRVI as part of the Darwin Plus funded project [DPLUS030] “Building systems and capacity to monitor and conserve BVI’s flora”. Initial discussions were also held for the HSBC funded project “Tropical Important Plants Areas (TIPAs) of the British Virgin Islands”. Further discussions with PR & BVI partners were held to develop the Garfield-Weston funded project to collect and bank seed of Caribbean tree species. Page 9 of 110


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Digitisation of the DRNA herbarium (SJ) in San Juan was continued to make data from herbarium collections of PRVI threatened species and Caribbean UKOTs species accessible. The Kew team worked in close collaboration with staff from PRVI partner organisations in the field and jointly with PR colleagues provided capacity building and hands-on training for relevant NPTVI staff during the visit. Daily entries are provided to record general activities with a focus on the areas visited, participants, and number of specimens/material collected. The trip itinerary is available in Appendix 1: PRVI April 2016 field visit itinerary. Maps are provided to show general survey areas visited and locations of collections and observations. The track logs shown in maps only reflect the route taken by the author and do not necessarily reflect the entire survey area as colleagues often visited other areas in the field to cover more ground. SB made several iNaturalist Observations that are available online (http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/qcrescente). Other data collected by PR and BVI partners will be processed at a later date and shared between the partners. This report has several Appendices listing details of the collections made, project planning, overall itinerary and media coverage. Images are provided to illustrate the contents and demonstrate the work undertaken. A compilation of tweets posted by the team can be viewed as a Storify compilation in Appendix 4: Twitter feed Storify compilation – April 2016.

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Daily log 07/04/2016 MAH departs Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands for EIS via SJU and MIA. Collect hire car and drive to Sea View Hotel (SVH). Check-in to SVH and stow luggage. Go out for groceries. Return to hotel for self-catering dinner.

08/04/2016 MAH drives to Lime office to activate local SIM card. MAH drives to JROBG to meet NH. MAH finds NH giving tour for local school group. MAH assists with tour and discussions about plants. MAH handsover project supplies to NH. MAH and NH observe conservation collections in garden and nursery and discuss challenges faced since last Kew visit. MAH collects field gear and returns to SVH to prepare for Anegada fieldwork. MAH departs SVH for Road Town ferry dock. Purchase tickets and depart for Anegada. Collect hire car and drive to Anegada Beach Club (ABC) stopping for water at the Faulkner Store, The Settlement. Check-in to ABC and sort field gear. Drive to Bones Bight. Hike to area behind the Faulkner round house to collect camera trap and data logger deployed in June 2015. Hike back to vehicle and drive east to collect second camera trap deployed in June 2015. Return to ABC for dinner. MAH processes data from collected devices and prepares camera traps and data loggers for deployment/re-deployment. MAH processes field images and data.

Figure 2: Survey area on Anegada 08/04/2016.

09/04/2016 Drive to Bones Bight area and hike to Middle Cay to observe Leptocereus quadricostatus population, assess reproduction and collect devices deployed in June 2015 (third camera trap and second data logger). Hike off of Middle Cay to vehicle and drive to The Settlement. Hike east along the salt ponds to area in eastern Warner to collect data from third data logger deployed in June 2015. Page 11 of 110


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Hike back to The Settlement. Return to ABC for dinner. MAH updates social media and report. MAH processes data from collected devices and images. MAH processes field images and data.

Figure 3: Survey area on Anegada 09/04/2016.

Figure 4: Leptocereus quadricostatus population monitoring: Camera trap deployed to record time-lapse imagery of reproduction (Left); Flower buds observed (Right) © Martin Hamilton.

10/04/2016 MAH cleans field gear. MAH finishes processing data and images. Drive to Setting Point for fuel and on to D&W Jeep Rentals to settle rental car bill. Drive to Loblolly Bay to eat pack lunch and observe development and vegetation. Several items on-shore appeared to be from a disturbed Page 12 of 110


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midden (see image below). MAH returns to ABC to observe coastal erosion and opportunity presented to see soil profile and root development of coastal plants. MAH collects take-away dinner from Neptune’s Treasure and returns to ABC. MAH packs field gear and prepares for return journey to Tortola.

Figure 5: Items seen in surf at Loblolly Bay © Dr Martin Hamilton.

11/04/2016 MAH checks-out of ABC and drives to ferry dock to return hire car. MAH travels to Tortola on ferry working on report during journey. MAH collects hire car from parking lot and drives to SVH. Sort equipment and eat lunch in room. MAH prepares meeting notes and drives to JROBG. MAH, NH, NWP, RM and LV hold DPLUS030 planning meeting. MAH provides overview of project and progress toward outputs. Discuss upcoming visit to PR for symposium and meetings and subsequent training and digitising to be provided by PR and Kew specialists at SJ for NH. MAH provides update on planned TIPAs workshop and horticultural training visit in June. NH, NWP, RM and LV hold staff meeting. MAH assesses nursery and native plant display. MAH and NH meet to discuss training plans. MAH returns

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to SVH and replies to work emails and prepares training documentation. MAH has dinner in the room and sends update emails and meeting agendas to PR colleagues.

Figure 6: Established threatened plants in the native display at the JROBG: (From top left to bottom right) Bastardiopsis eggersii, Rondeletia pilosa, Eugenia sessiliflora, Croton fishlockii, Varronia rupicola, Machaonia woodburyana and Malpighia woodburyana © Dr Martin Hamilton,

12/04/2016 MAH prepares field equipment and drives to JROBG. NH, NWP, RM and LV hold staff meeting. MAH prepares nursery feedback for NH and DA. MAH meets with NH to discuss daily nursery schedule and duties. MAH meets with NH and DA to provide feedback and discuss daily nursery schedule and duties. Break for lunch. MAH calls LV to provide update on nursery assessment and then updates report. DA washes pots for propagation. MAH and NH drive to SMNP. Heavy rains begin along route and persist. Drive to Shark Bay NP. Hike to commemorative plaque detailing gift of area. MAH deploys data logger. NH collects data and cuttings of Solanum polygamum with assistance/supervision from MAH. Hike back to vehicle and return to JROBG. MAH and NH process cuttings as a training exercise with MAH demonstrating and then NH finishing with supervision. MAH and NH review data collection and material collection process. MAH and NH discuss plans for following days and tidy work areas. MAH departs JROBG and drives to SVH. MAH processes data and images. MAH walks to local restaurant for dinner. MAH returns to SVH and continues work on report and protocols document. MAH works on BWB 2016 presentation.

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Figure 7: Survey area on Tortola 12/04/2016.

Figure 8: Field collection and propagation training for Natasha Harrigan: collecting wild material with associated data (Left), striking cuttings of wild collected material using specialist techniques (Middle) and processed cuttings in the mist unit for rooting (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton.

13/04/2016 MAH prepares field equipment and drives to JROBG to meet NH and DA. MAH, NH and DA meet to discuss nursery layout and workflow. Issues with nursery condition, demands of garden for plants and general lack of correct facilities and equipment are obviously hampering daily tasks and best practice. Page 15 of 110


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MAH, NH and DA work in nursery to clear dead plants, pots of soil, weeds, rotten wood, large rocks, detritus and trash. MAH and NH meet in the native plant garden to discuss pests, work needed and general issues observed. KP assists MAH and NH with maintenance and pruning work in native plant garden. MAH and NH meet with Emily Magnaghi (EMan) to discuss volunteer work opportunities and areas for priority activity. Continue work in nursery and native plant beds.

Figure 9: Results of collaborative nursery work to decrease pest and disease issues: cleared dead plants, pots of soil, weeds, rotten wood, large rocks, detritus and trash (Left and Middle) and pruning of vines growing on and over nursery to increase sunlight and decrease detritus © Dr Martin Hamilton.

Figure 10: Collaborative work and training to improve native plant display: Kass Penn weeds and edges threatened plants (Left) while Natasha Harrigan processes cuttings of threatened plants from material pruned out of display plants by Dr Martin Hamilton during training (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton.

MAH drives to SMNP and then hikes to the peak of Mount Sage to deploy data logger and collect cuttings of Calyptranthes kiaerskovii & C. thomasiana. Hike back to car park and store cuttings in cooler bag. Drive to Cane Garden Bay. Order take away and go for run on beach. Collect take away and return to SVH. Dinner in room. Process and store cuttings. Prepare for VG fieldwork. Respond to work emails.

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Figure 11: Survey area on Tortola 13/04/2016.

Figure 12: Threatened plants in Sage Mountain NP collected for propagation: Virgin islands endemic, Calyptranthes thomasiana (Left) and BVI endemic, Calyptranthes kiaerskovii (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton.

14/04/2016 MAH drives to Road Town ferry dock and purchases tickets for team. EMan and NH arrive. Team depart for VG. Team take shuttle to Speedy’s office to rent vehicle. Drive to Gorda Peak NP and park in lower car park. Hike along trail botanising and scoping material to collect. Arrive at Gorda Peak to deploy data logger and take cuttings of Calyptranthes kiaerskovii & C. thomasiana. Hike back toward car park stopping to collect cuttings of Maytenus cymosa and seed of Polygla penaea. Drive toward North Sound and take road around north side of Gorda Peak botanising. Return hire car and get Page 17 of 110


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dropped at VG ferry dock by Speedy’s staff. Ferry delayed 20 minutes. Ferry to Tortola. NH and EMan walk east. MAH drives to SVH. Sort field gear and stow cuttings in fridge. Sort field clothes and equipment for cleaning.

Figure 13 : Survey area on Virgin Gorda 14/04/2016.

Figure 14: Monitoring threatened species in Gorda Peak National Park: Natasha Harrigan inspects Calyptranthes kiaerskovii & C. thomasiana for pests prior to collecting cuttings (Left); Data logger deployed to record micro-climate data in threatened species habitat (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton.

15/04/2016 MAH drives to JROBG. MAH stores Kew field supplies. MAH meets with RO and NH to review BVI plant species illustrations and provide feedback. MAH visits native plant garden with EMan, RO and NH to Page 18 of 110


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provide overview of species, detail work needed in the area, identify pests and discuss species requiring illustration. MAH works in nursery to organise collections to facilitate easier maintenance and correct light exposure. MAH moves established plants out of mist unit and organises remaining plants in preparation for new material and to take into account broken mist nozzle. NH & EMan process cuttings of Calyptranthes kiaerskovii & C. thomasiana. MAH returns to SVH to collect luggage and check-out. MAH drives to EIS to check-in for Cape Air flight and return rental car. MAH departs EIS for SJU (extremely clear day with view of PR immediately after departing Beef Island). MAH arrives SJU and clears immigration and customs. MAH collects package stowed at SJU Airport Hotel and collects rental car. MAH drives to ESJ Azul Hotel and checks-in. MAH sorts luggage and field equipment before going out for dinner and groceries. Return to ESJ Azul.

Figure 15: Project planning, training and prioritisation: Natasha Harrigan and Riona O’Shea discussing botanical illustrations of threatened plants for use in project outputs (Left); Emily Magnaghi, Natasha Harrigan and Riona O’Shea examining Bastardiopsis eggersii for pests following training session led by Dr Martin Hamilton to assist NPTVI with increasing plant health in ex-situ collections © Dr Martin Hamilton.

16/04/2016 MAH prepares BWB 2016 presentation and documentation for the USFWS hosted Varronia rupicola conservation meeting scheduled for 21 April. MAH has dinner at local restaurant.

17/04/2016 MAH drives to Sheraton Convention Hotel to register for BWB 2016. MAH prints presentation notes. MAH leaves messages for BVI colleagues before going to dinner at local restaurant. MAH returns to ESJ Azul to practice presentation. SB arrives at SJU from LHR via MIA. SB takes taxi to Sheraton Convention Hotel and checks-in.

18/04/2016 MAH drives to Sheraton Convention Hotel to meet SB, BVI and PR colleagues for Caribbean Plant Conservation Symposium at NatureServe’s Biodiversity without Boundaries 2016 Conference (see Plant Conservation in the Caribbean – Day 1). Kew, BVI and PR colleagues group dinner and discussions following end of BWB 2016 organised activities. MAH returns to ESJ Azul. Page 19 of 110


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Figure 16: DRNA Secretary Carmen Guerrero presentation on conservation work across Puerto Rico © Dr Martin Hamilton.

Figure 17: Dr Martin Hamilton, Jose Sustache (© Sara Barrios), Nancy Pascoe and Natasha Harrigan (© Dr Martin Hamilton) presenting findings of collaborative work between Kew, BVI and PR colleagues at BWB 2016.

19/04/2016 MAH drives to Sheraton Convention Hotel to pick-up SB, NH, LV and NWP. Drive to FLMM for Caribbean Plant Conservation Symposium (see Plant Conservation in the Caribbean – Day 2). MAH drives colleagues back to Sheraton Convention Hotel.

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Figure 18: Caribbean Plant Conservation Symposium at FLMM: Dr Martin Hamilton discusses the development of the PRVI Plant Conservation Task Force (Left); Dr Joyce Maschinski leading discussions on Red Listing efforts in PRVI (Right) © Sara Barrios.

20/04/2016 MAH checks out of ESJ Azul and drives to Sheraton Convention Hotel to pick-up SB, NH, LV and NWP following their check-out of hotel. Drive to SJ Herbarium to meet with JS and discuss BVI developing similar facilities. MAH and JS drive SB, NH, LV and NWP to El Yunque. Visit El Portal and several locations within the forest. Discuss management, interpretation and threatened plant conservation. JS departs for San Juan. MAH drives SB, NH, LV and NWP to Ponce. Check-in to Holiday Inn Ponce and stow luggage. Dinner at local restaurant. MAH updates social media and report. MAH processes images.

Figure 19: Dr Martin Hamilton, Nancy Pascoe, Sara Barrios, Jose Sustache, Natasha Harrigan and Lynda Varlack visit El Yunque National Forest: El Portal Visitor Centre (Left) © Dr Martin Hamilton; Hiking Mt Britton trail (Right) © Sara Barrios.

21/04/2016 MAH drives SB, NH, LV and NWP to USFWS office in Cabo Rojo. Meeting to discuss conservation and recovery of Varronia rupicola. Visit Cabo Rojo NWR nursery and restoration plantings to discuss management, monitoring and lessons learned. MAH collects data logger data and demonstrates device to PRVI colleagues. Drive to Bosque Estatal de Boquerón and hike to Cabo Rojo lighthouse discussing management issues along route. Hike across the bay to observe area impacted by arson Page 21 of 110


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and vegetation recovery. MAH drives SB, NH, LV and NWP to Holiday Inn Ponce. Dinner at local restaurant. MAH updates social media and report. MAH processes images.

Figure 20 : Survey area in Cabo Rojo NWR and Bosque Estatal de Boquerón 21/04/2016.

Figure 21: Dr Martin Hamilton presents findings of biogeography and conservation genetics research to partners at beginning of Varronia rupicola conservation planning meeting held at the USFWS offices in Cabo Rojo NWR © Sara Barrios.

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Figure 22: Knowledge exchange: Jose Martinez showing irrigation system in the Cabo Rojo NWR nursery to NPTVI colleagues (Top Left) © Sara Barrios; Omar Monsegur discusses the use of raised beds for bulk sowing of plant seeds for restoration (Top Right); Omar Monsegur and Lynda Varlack discuss restoration options using experience gained at Cabo Rojo NWR (Bottom Left); Vegetation destroyed by arson attack in Bosque Estatal de Boquerón provided opportunity to discuss management challenges (Bottom Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton.

22/04/2016 MAH drives SB, NH, LV and NWP to Bosque Estatal De Guánica to meet EMR the forest manager at the forest office. Visit facilities and discuss management challenges and conservation activities. MAH collects data logger data and demonstrates device to PRVI colleagues. MAH drives SB, NH, LV and NWP to coastal area to observe recent improvement works to infrastructure and areas impacted by arson and high visitor numbers. MAH drives SB, NH, LV and NWP to Holiday Inn Ponce. MAH and SB hike to area behind hotel to collect data from data logger. Hike back to hotel. Dinner at local restaurant. MAH updates social media and report. MAH processes images.

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Figure 23 : Survey area in Bosque Estatal De Guánica and Ponce 22/04/2016.

Figure 24: Further knowledge exchange: Eloy Martínez Rivera with NPTVI staff during tour of visitor facilities (Left); NPTVI staff observing new infrastructure and restoration plantings in coastal area of Bosque Estatal De Guánica (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton.

23/04/2016 NWP and LV depart in taxi for SJU to take Cape Air flight to EIS. JS arrives at hotel. MAH drives JS, SB and NH to Bosque Estatal De Maricao to meet OM. Visit known locations of threatened species to provide training for NH in monitoring, collecting and identification. MAH collects DNA samples of Varronia bellonis along route. Drive to Maricao for lunch and discussions. OM departs. MAH drives JS, SB and NH to Reserva Natural Punta Cucharas to survey vegetation and assess habitat for Varronia rupicola restoration/introduction. MAH drives JS, SB and NH to hotel. JS departs for San Juan. Dinner at hotel. MAH updates social media and report. MAH processes images, data and collections.

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Figure 25 : Survey area in Bosque Estatal de Maricao 23/04/2016.

Figure 26: Field training in Bosque Estatal De Maricao: Kew and PR partners provide collecting training for Natasha Harrigan (Left) © Sara Barrios; Omar Monsegur provides identification training for Natasha Harrigan (Middle); Partners observing ex-situ collection of threatened Crescentia portoricensis during visit to forest headquarters (Right) © Dr Martin Hamilton.

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Figure 27 : Survey area in Reserva Natural Punta Cucharas 23/04/2016.

24/04/2016 MAH sorts field gear and luggage in preparation for departure from PR. MAH drives SB and NH from Ponce to SJU. Team 1: MAH checks-in at SJU Airport Hotel. MAH exercises and has dinner. Team 2: SB collects rental car and departs with NH to check-in at ESJ Azul. SB and NH dine at hotel.

25/04/2016 Team 1: MAH departs SJU Airport Hotel for SJ Herbarium to meet JS and OM for Varronia bellonis project planning meeting and store field equipment. MAH and JS meet to discuss storage of Varronia bellonis samples at SJ. MAH returns to SJU to return rental car. CTS picks MAH up from SJU Airport Hotel and drives to restaurant near ESJ Azul to Meet SB and NH. After dinner, CTS drives MAH back to SJU Airport Hotel. Collaboration discussions held throughout the evening. Team 2: SB and NH head to SJ herbarium to meet JS. The camera was set up and updated RDE copied to NH laptop. SB and NH start imaging SJ herbarium specimens. 168 specimens imaged. Following work at SJ, SB and NH meet MH and CT for dinner at local restaurant.

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Figure 28: Digitising SJ Herbarium collections from the UKOTs: Natasha Harrigan, Sara Barrios and Jose Sustache examine herbarium specimens prior to imaging (Left); Sara Barrios and Jose Sustache imaging collections pulled out by Natasha Harrigan © Dr Martin Hamilton.

26/04/2016 Team 1: MAH departs SJU for MIA. MAH works on report while traveling. Team 2: SB and NH head to SJ and work together with JS imaging herbarium specimens. 231 specimens digitised by the end of the day. SB and NH dine at hotel.

27/04/2016 Team 1: MAH departs MIA for LHR. MAH works on report while traveling. Team 2: SB and NH head to SJ and work together with JS imaging herbarium specimens. After lunch, the team headed to UPR Herbarium to meet Eugenio Santiago and pick up specimens on loan to digitise. 248 specimens digitised by the end of the day. SB and NH dine at local restaurant.

28/04/2016 Team 1: MAH arrives LHR and take taxi home to sort field equipment. End of reporting for MAH. Team 2: SB and NH head to SJ and work together with JS imaging herbarium specimens. 263 specimens digitised by the end of the day. SB and NH dine at hotel.

29/04/2016 SB and NH head to SJ and work together with JS imaging herbarium specimens. Targeted list finished by mid-morning. Backups done. Natasha and Sustache verify list for any missing specimens. SB images SJ historical specimens and a few specimens from threatened taxa. SB and NH leave SJ and head to SJU. NH departs for EIS. SB checks-in at SJU Airport Hotel. Dine at hotel restaurant.

30/04/2016 SB departs SJU for LHR via Philadelphia.

01/05/2016 SB arrives at LHR Terminal 5 at 6:45am. Taxi back home. End of reporting.

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Findings and Notes Overall, the visit to BVI and PR was very successful and continued to build collaborations between Kew and PRVI colleagues. Of particular significance was the visit of LV and NWP to PR for the first formal meetings and site visits with USFWS, DRNA and MAPR staff. Continued regional collaborations will benefit all involved and increase the potential for many important advances in species conservation, knowledge transfer and identifying funding opportunities.

Meetings and collaboration development General collaboration discussions were held with all active partners during the field visit and are reported below. Specific discussions about DPLUS030 are reported in Appendix 2: DPLUS 030 planning meetings. PR General collaboration discussions were held with FLMM, DRNA, MAPR and USFWS partners. There is continued interest in developing stronger links across the PR Bank and between Kew and PR partners. The attendance by so many individuals from across the PR Bank at the FLMM hosted Caribbean Plant Conservation Symposium clearly demonstrates the communities desire to work more closely. Discussions with DRNA with Dr Miguel Garcia reiterated the departments desire to work more collaboratively across the region and across taxa at the habitat level. Discussions at USFWS focused on Federally Listed species and specifically the research MAH is undertaking on Varronia rupicola and the developing V. bellonis project. Discussions with MAPR focused the continued development of a seed bank for PR native flora at UPRM under the Garfield-Weston tree seed conservation project. MAH also met with Caribbean Landscape Conservation Cooperative (CLCC) staff to explore potential areas of collaboration. BVI Discussions were held with LV, NWP, NH and RM to further develop collaborative work. DPLUS030 was specifically addressed to ensure first year reporting and deliverables will be achieved. Other areas of discussion were capacity building activities for JROBG staff and further development of the seed collecting and native plant material collection activities to enhance the existing JROBG nursery. This will enable JROBG to become a mainly native plant producer to supply NPTVI properties (JROBG, QEII Park, NPTVI main office) and the local community (i.e. Old Government House Museum garden, local residents). The current collaborative project DPLUS030 will seek to build botanical capacity amongst the JROBG staff specifically and provide protocols and systems to enable expansion of the collections and adequate data capture and management. It is not, however, within the scope of the project to address issues relating to the wider botanic garden and collections. To address this issue, Kew and Gibraltar Botanic Gardens staff have raised funds to visit in late June to provide horticultural training for JROBG staff. Regular, if not daily, skilled horticultural advice and guidance is required to address existing issues and begin to maintain the garden at the correct level. Discussions were held about the HSBC TIPAs project and focus on BVI to develop the Caribbean model over the coming 2-3 years starting with a workshop and fieldwork in June 2016. Work to digitise material at Kew and SJ herbaria and incorporate data from MAPR is on-going.

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Collecting and survey work Areas visited in PR and BVI were surveyed for populations of threatened species (e.g. Varronia rupicola, Senna polyphylla var. neglecta, Croton fishlockii, Zanthoxylum thomasianum). When a threatened species was encountered in BVI, DNA samples and voucher specimens (if not detrimental to plant health/survival) were collected as well as live material, where appropriate, for the JROBG. In BVI, opportunistic collections of seed new to the MSB were made with NPTVI staff. Collecting in PR focused on making DNA samples of Varronia bellonis. A full set of material will be donated to Kew for addition to the collections and further research at a later date as no material was exported during the trip due to limited time, few collections and, in the case of PR, the need for special permits. The duplicate set of herbarium specimens will be sent to Kew for naming, mounting and digitisation before being repatriated to the BVI. Duplicate seed collections were left in the BVI. Further recommendations will be made once specimen naming is completed and any genetic analysis of the DNA samples, pending available funding, are completed. To collect ecological data across the Puerto Rican Bank in Varronia rupicola habitat, camera traps and data loggers were deployed/re-deployed. Seven EL-USB-2+ data loggers brought to PR and BVI for deployment (KEWPR01 – Guanica; KEWPR02 – Ponce; KEWPR03 – Cabo Rojo; KEWPR04 – Vieques; KEWBVI01, KEWBVI02 & KEWBVI03 - Anegada) in June 2015 were collected and data retrieved (except unit KEWPR04 – Vieques) prior to re-deploying the units, or deploying a replacement unit, to the same location. Three additional data loggers were brought to BVI and deployed on Tortola and Virgin Gorda to begin collecting ecological data in Sage Mountain, Shark Bay and Virgin Gorda National Parks where threatened species occur. BVI data loggers were all set to start recording hourly from 00:00:01 on 16/04/2016 (see image below).

Figure 29: EL-USB-2+ deployment screen using the manufacturer’s software package, EasyLogUSB.

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Anegada Monitoring and deployment of two motion sensor camera traps as well as 3 data loggers for Varronia rupicola on Anegada was undertaken. One camera was deployed on Middle Cay focusing on developing flowers/fruits of Leptocereus quadricostatus. Camera traps were redeployed to record six seconds of video at 1080p with 1 minute rest interval using low sense level 24 hours per day and time lapse every 6 hours. Pests are causing damage to the growing tips of the branches and feral livestock continue to impact the surrounding vegetation.

Figure 30: Deployment locations of three data loggers on Anegada

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Figure 31: Deployment locations of three camera traps on Anegada

Following on from previous survey work, MAH visited locations to survey for threatened species, assess any populations encountered and make appropriate collections. Several new individuals of Varronia rupicola were observed in the Warner area. Further survey and imagery interpretation is required to determine the extent of the high density area for the species. Other observations of note included: • • • • •

BVI endemic Vachellia anegadensis was seen flowering PRVI EN endemic Leptocereus quadricostatus recorded in flower & fruit on Middle Cay PRVI endemic Varronia rupicola still under attack from lesser snow scale (Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley) Large male and female rock iguanas (Cyclura pinguis) observed on Middle Cay Invasive pest insect, Crypticerya genistae, observed attacking introduced Vachellia sp. (Leguminosae) near Windlass Bight

Road works are occurring across the BVI through government funded contracts. On Anegada, the works are having a hugely negative impact on the vegetation, especially Varronia rupicola. Large areas of land are being cleared for the road works for no apparent reason. In many places, the clearance work is well over double the size of the road surface to be laid. It is hoped that the government of the BVI will assess the works being undertaken and further work planned to minimise the impact on Varronia rupicola. It would also be ideal for restoration/mitigation work to be undertaken in the areas already impacted to restore lost individuals using appropriate source material. Tortola Data loggers were deployed in Sage Mountain National Park and Shark Bay National Park to collect microclimate data. The sites were chosen as they are protected areas managed by NPTVI, provide a wide range of elevation from the coast and the highest point in the Virgin Islands and are home to Page 31 of 110


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several threatened species (e.g. Calyptranthes thomasiana, C. kiaerskovii on Mount Sage and Sabal causiarum in Shark Bay). Cuttings of both Calyptranthes species were taken for the JROBG ex-situ collections.

Figure 32: Deployment locations of two data loggers on Tortola.

Virgin Gorda A single data logger was deployed in Gorda Peak National Park to collect microclimate data within the Calyptranthes thomasiana and C. kiaerskovii populations. Cuttings of both species were taken for the JROBG ex-situ collections.

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Figure 33: Deployment location of data logger on Virgin Gorda.

J.R. O’Neal Botanic Garden The botanical centre facilities were in need of general cleaning. The nursery was found to have many structural faults as well as continued issues with climbing plants on the structure, weeds growing inside and around the structure and detritus covering large areas of the shade cloth roof. These issues were addressed, but continued effort is needed to keep maintenance standards to a higher level. New specimens and seed collections were added to the collections of the JROBG. Of particular note are live accessions of the threatened plants Calyptranthes thomasiana and Calyptranthes kiaerskovii. Erythrina eggersii cuttings taken in February 2016 rooted in the JROBG mist unit with 100% success and MAH provided training to NH on how to repot the material. The re-potted cuttings with leaves and new shoots should remain in the mist unit for 2-3 weeks before being transferred to a shaded bench in the conservation nursery. Cuttings without leaves/new shoots should remain in the mist unit until leaves/new shoots have appeared.

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Key recommendations J.R. O’Neal Botanic Garden The following sections are meant to record activities that need to be undertaken following discussions with members of NPTVI staff. The list is not comprehensive. It is meant to highlight some of the specific items that need to be addressed. Botanical centre • Finish commissioning the botanical centre at the JROBG [Suggested name: Raymond Walker Botanical Centre] o Install shelving for storage in main room o Install new doors with modern locking mechanisms o Improve/replace windows  Install screen over windows to deter pests from entering the building  Preferable to install new windows with glass and screen o Seal large cracks in walls, floor and ceiling to deter pests from entering the building • Maintain the centre clean and free of debris to deter pests from entering the building by establishing a weekly cleaning duty (dust, sweep and disinfect surfaces) to deter pests and requiring all staff using the centre to ensure that the workspaces are cleared each day Conservation/threatened plant display • Finish conservation/threatened plant display [Suggested name: BVI threatened plants garden] o Identify and control pest infestations  remove heavily infested leaves/branches and dead/dying plants into sealed plastic bags for incineration  spot treatments with 70% alcohol followed by blasting with water (after ~10mins)  apply appropriate sprays based on plant species and pest (soap spray, horticultural oil, commercial insecticide) o Install rock circles around each plant and do not allow raw wood mulch inside the circle to stop fungal growth and pest attack o Remove weeds and seedling trees from beds o Thin plantings and remove weeds and seedling trees that have volunteered in surrounding beds o Prepare and install interpretation Nursery • First priority each day is watering and general inspection (pests, diseases, infrastructure issues) o Run mist unit at 8:30, 13:00 and 16:00 daily for 30-60 seconds o Handle each pot in the conservation nursery to assess watering required o Handle an outer and an inner pot of groups of plants in the main nursery to assess watering required o Use immersion method for sandy soils to stop washing out of pot o Mist all epiphytes (orchids and bromeliads) at 8:30 and 16:00 daily • Rotate any pots setting on ground (not ideal) weekly to stop roots growing into gravel Page 34 of 110

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Maintain the nursery clean and free of debris to deter pests by establishing a weekly cleaning (weed pots, leaf picking, rake floor and clear out & disinfect inside mist unit) Thin collections to remove diseased/pest infested plants and poorly formed plants that will not be usable for garden or plant sales Re-pot all collections into appropriately sized pots with appropriate soil (firm soil into pots to stop settling and fill with soil to the soil line) Maintain the potting bench clean at all times and disinfect after each use Store all potting compost in sealed/covered containers (large bulk containers setting on the ground and small “in use” containers on the potting bench)

Ongoing work • Generate list of target native species for plant sales and Arbour Day • Identify locations for seed collecting and undertake collections • Sow seed as new collections are made (recording sowing date, plant name and collection number on label) • Remove material from the mist unit once propagation/repotting is successful

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Appendix 1: PRVI April 2016 field visit itinerary Day Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Date 07-Apr-16 08-Apr-16 09-Apr-16 10-Apr-16 11-Apr-16 12-Apr-16 13-Apr-16 14-Apr-16 15-Apr-16 16-Apr-16 17-Apr-16 18-Apr-16 19-Apr-16 20-Apr-16 21-Apr-16 22-Apr-16 23-Apr-16 24-Apr-16 25-Apr-16 26-Apr-16 27-Apr-16 28-Apr-16 29-Apr-16 30-Apr-16 01-May-16

Activity

Notes

Travel JROBG; Travel; Fieldwork Fieldwork Reporting & data processing Travel; Meetings Fieldwork/Training Fieldwork/Training Fieldwork/Training Meetings; Travel Reporting Rest Day Conference Workshop at FLMM Travel; Fieldwork Fieldwork/Meetings Fieldwork Fieldwork Rest Day/Travel Digitising SJ/Meetings Digitising SJ; Travel; Reporting Digitising SJ; Travel; Reporting Digitising SJ; Travel; Reporting Digitising SJ; Reporting Travel Travel

PLS to MIA; MIA to SJU; SJU to EIS Tortola to Anegada; Camera traps & data loggers Camera traps & data loggers Clean field equipment Anegada to Tortola; JROBG Fishlock Hall JROBG Nursery; Shark Bay NP JROBG Nursery; Sage Mt NP Gorda Peak NP JROBG Nursery; EIS to SJU Conference prep Register for conference Presentations PRVI Plant Conservation Task Force meeting Visit SJ; Drive from SJU to Ponce USFWS office - V. rupicola meeting; Visit Cabo Rojo Guánica; Ponce Maricao Drive from Ponce to SJU V. bellonis meeting; Store field equipment MAH SJU to MIA MAH MIA to LHR MAH arrives LHR T3 NH departs for EIS SB departs SJU SB arrives LHR Page 36 of 110


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Appendix 2: DPLUS 030 planning meetings Expected Outcomes A bespoke set of training opportunities will provide NPT staff with the skill set to implement a ‘Conservation Strategy’ to enhance the ex-situ collections, monitor wild and ex-situ plant health and instigate a well-managed conservation monitoring programme. The new BVI botanical database will provide a vital new resource to hold all botanical data to provide information necessary for implementing actions to enable long-term conservation of BVI’s threatened plant species, the habitats they comprise and the ecosystem services they deliver. This will provide an insurance policy for potential staff turnover and the institutional continuity for sound conservation planning.

Meeting notes Meetings were held with all core partners in PR and BVI to review the planned activities and provide updates on delivery of the outcomes. MAH, LV, NWP, NH, JV, OM, and JS met for a project planning meeting during the project visit to PR. Discussions were held about the project outcomes, delivery of training for NH and NPTVI staff and travel planning (see below). MAH and Sara Barrios (Kew) have developed the Brahms training schedule with NH to visit Kew in September 2016 following training in PR during the current trip. MAH will work with OM and JS to ensure adequate training and exposure to field survey, monitoring and restoration efforts is provide for NH during the remainder of 2016-17. All partners pleased with the projects progress to date and feel that the planned activities will enable the project to meet its expected outcomes. Travel planning NPTVI will cover costs for NPTVI staff travel and PR partner travel from NPTVI managed project budget. Kew will cover costs for Kew staff travel from Kew managed project budget. Kew and NPTVI identified funds to enable complementary specialist visits (Curator of Gibraltar BG and Kew Diploma student) during June/July 2016. Further discussions were held with Dr Chris Malumphy of Fera Scientific about a pest collecting and identification trip in early 2017, pending funding. Tentative dates for discussion with PRVI partners are detailed below. JV remains fairly flexible throughout the year with the only major issues occurring during the start of semesters. OM and JV are much more restricted and several months of notice are required to get approval for travel. Currently all three are expected to attend the June/July 2016 BVI field visit. NH is unable to travel around Arbor Day (November) and the Annual Flower Show (May). Dates after September 2016 will need further discussion amongst main project partners to determine the most appropriate balance of visits based on the mid-year project review and individual needs of the staff members receiving training. •

• •

June 2016 (4 weeks BVI) o Kew staff and PR partners will visit BVI for TIPAs workshop and fieldwork o Kew, Gibraltar and PR partner(s) visit BVI to provide mentoring/training September 2016 (3 weeks) o Natasha Harrigan will travel to UK for training with Kew staff (MAH, MARC, SB & TMH) February 2017 (3 weeks) o Kew staff visit BVI to provide mentoring/training, undertake fieldwork and agree final project outputs Page 37 of 110

PRVI field report April 2016 Activity Schedule DPLUS 030

Hamilton & Barrios No of

Year 1

Months

Q1

Output 1

Capacity building to enable NPT to manage rare and threatened species

1.1

Design training programme for NPT staff to implement conservation strategy, adopt protocols, and monitor health of wild plants and ex-situ collections

0.5

X

1.2

NPT staff attend training courses in Puerto Rico and Kew

4

X

1.3

Assessment of skills gained through review of performance and reports

0.5

1.4

Endorsement by Puerto Rico and Kew specialists for each area of training following review

0.5

1.5

Regional workshop organised for UKOTs and SIDS plant conservationists to share knowledge and expertise

0.5

Q2

Q3

Year 2 Q4

Q1

Q2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

X X

Q3

Q4

X Q1

Output 2

Ex-situ collections strengthened to support conservation

2.1

Develop target species list of threatened plants and collecting locations to achieve 50% of BVI threatened plant collections from more than one population

0.5

X

2.2

Undertake targeted seed and live material collection from threatened plant populations, fully documented with herbarium vouchers, to achieve 75% of BVI threatened plants secured as seed collections

6

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2.3

Process field material and incorporate into ex-situ collections. Duplicate seed collections at Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank

6

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2.4

Trained NPT staff propagate material to secure 100% of BVI threatened plants in the nursery

6

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2.5

Collections data incorporated into BVI Botanical database (new) and Kew’s UKOTs Online Herbarium database

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Output 3

Conservation Strategy for local implementation

3.1

Develop and field test standards for data collection and monitoring

0.5

X

X

3.2

Refine and agree standards with partners

1

X

X

3.3

Agree practical applications with partners to produce protocols for ‘Data collection’, ‘Wild material collection’, ‘Nursery production’ and ‘Monitoring health of wild plants and ex-situ collections’

1

X

X

3.4

Partners implement protocols with guidance from Kew

6

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

3.5

Project steering committee reviews protocol implementation and agrees conservation strategy

0.5

3.6

Conservation strategy implemented by NPT with support from Kew and regional partners

6

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X Q1

Output 4

BVI Botanical database deployed and populated

4.1

Brahms installed on NPT computer by Kew specialist

0.25

X

4.2

Two NPT staff fully trained in database use by Kew and MAPR specialists

1.5

X

4.3

3500 BVI records extracted from UKOTs Online Herbarium database imported into BVI Botanical database by Kew specialist

0.25

X

4.4

NPT staff routinely add field & monitoring data to database & export data to Kew’s UKOTs Online Herbarium & BVI NGIS

3

X

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Appendix 3: Biodiversity Without Boundaries 2016

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Caribbean Plant Conservation Symposium background (Held at NatureServe’s Biodiversity without Boundaries 2016 Conference, San Juan, PR Monday, April 18th, 2016)

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Plant Conservation in the Caribbean – Day 1

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Plant Conservation in the Caribbean – Day 2

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Appendix 4: Twitter feed Storify compilation – April 2016

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