Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew UK Overseas Territories

Puerto Rican Bank (British Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico) February-March 2017 Fieldwork report and photographic supplement - Overseas Fieldwork Committee (OFC) registration number 559-13 Edited by: Dr Martin A. Hamilton, Research Leader (UKOTs), UK & Islands Programme, Conservation Science Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13

Acknowledgements The strong partnerships and close working relationships that have been developed amongst the institutions represented during the activities presented here are the result of many years of hard work by many dedicated individuals that are supported by managers with long-term vision. Several funding bodies have provided support for these activities. The project team wish to thank these funders: The UK Government’s Darwin Initiative through the Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund (a.k.a. Darwin Plus) HSBC through the 150th Anniversary Fund The BEST 2.0 Programme, supported by the European Commission (DG DEVCO) as part of the EU Biodiversity for Life (B4Life) flagship, administered through the IUCN1 Garfield Weston Foundation through the Global Tree Seed Bank Project The USFWS through the CFDA Program 15.657

The Kew UKOTs team wishes to thank our Puerto Rican Bank partners 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.

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This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The content of this document is the sole responsibility of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union

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Suggested citation Hamilton, M. A., Barrios, S., Corcoran, M.R., Clubbe, C., Heller, T.M., Newton, R., Malumphy, C. and Sanchez, M.D. (2017). Puerto Rican Bank (British Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico) February-March 2017 fieldwork report. Hamilton, M. A. (editor). Overseas Fieldwork Committee registration number 559-13. 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................................................................................................................................. ii Suggested citation.................................................................................................................................. iii Contents ................................................................................................................................................. iv Figures .................................................................................................................................................. viii Cover photos .................................................................................................................................... viii In-text photos................................................................................................................................... viii List of participants.................................................................................................................................. xi Acronyms .............................................................................................................................................. xii Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Daily log................................................................................................................................................... 3 02/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 3 03/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 3 04/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 3 05/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 4 06/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 5 07/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 5 08/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 6 09/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 7 10/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 8 11/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 8 12/02/2017 ......................................................................................................................................... 9 13/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 10 14/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 11 15/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 13 16/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 14 17/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 16 18/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 17 19/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 18 20/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 19 21/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 19 22/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 20 23/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 22 iv

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 24/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 22 25/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 23 26/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 24 27/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 24 28/02/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 25 01/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 26 02/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 26 03/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 26 04/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 05/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 06/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 07/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 08/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 27 09/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 28 10/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 29 11/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 31 12/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 33 13/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 33 14/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 33 15/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 34 16/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 36 17/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 36 18/03/2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 36 Findings and Notes................................................................................................................................ 37 Collecting and survey work ............................................................................................................... 37 BVI ................................................................................................................................................. 38 Puerto Rico .................................................................................................................................... 40 Appendix 1: PRVI February-March 2017 field visit itinerary................................................................. 42 BVI ..................................................................................................................................................... 42 Puerto Rico ........................................................................................................................................ 45 Appendix 2: TIPAs workshop ................................................................................................................ 46 General Information for BVI TIPA Workshop February 2017 ........................................................... 46 Aims & Background Information................................................................................................... 46 BVI TIPAs Workshop Participants...................................................................................................... 47 v

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Day 1 ............................................................................................................................................. 47 Day 2 ............................................................................................................................................. 47 BVI TIPAs Workshop Day 1 ................................................................................................................ 48 General notes from Day 1 ............................................................................................................. 48 Notes from Anegada TIPAs assessments ...................................................................................... 48 BVI TIPAs Workshop Day 2 ................................................................................................................ 51 General notes from Day 2 ............................................................................................................. 51 Notes from the Final Plenary Session ........................................................................................... 52 BVI Beacon Article ............................................................................................................................. 53 Appendix 3: Introduction to biosecurity and invasive plant pests workshop ...................................... 55 Workshop sessions............................................................................................................................ 55 Workshop attendees: ....................................................................................................................... 55 Workshop presentations .................................................................................................................. 55 Appendix 4: Preliminary report on invasive alien arthropod species that present a plant health risk in the British Virgin Islands ....................................................................................................................... 56 Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 56 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 57 Methods ............................................................................................................................................ 57 Results ............................................................................................................................................... 58 Invasive Alien Arthropod Species in the British Virgin Islands ...................................................... 58 Discussion.......................................................................................................................................... 81 Environmental risks....................................................................................................................... 81 Economic risks............................................................................................................................... 81 Social risks ..................................................................................................................................... 82 Mitigation for Invasive Alien Species in BVI ...................................................................................... 82 Future plant health threats in BVI .................................................................................................... 82 Acknowledgments............................................................................................................................. 83 Appendix 5: Twitter feed Storify compilation – BVI TIPAs - February 2017 ......................................... 84 Appendix 6: Twitter feed Storify compilation – DPLUS030 - February 2017 ........................................ 96 Appendix 7: BVI February 2017 collections sent to Kew .................................................................... 119 Appendix 8: PR March 2017 collections ............................................................................................. 123 Appendix 9: Vegetation Monitoring in Great Tobago National Park, February 2017 ........................ 127 Suggested citation........................................................................................................................... 128 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 128 vi

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Invasive plant species survey and mapping .................................................................................... 129 Vegetation monitoring plots ........................................................................................................... 130 Plot GT01..................................................................................................................................... 131 Plot GT02..................................................................................................................................... 132 Plot GT03..................................................................................................................................... 133 Plot GT04..................................................................................................................................... 134 Plot GT05..................................................................................................................................... 135 Notes, next steps and key recommendations ................................................................................ 135 Appendix 10: Vegetation Monitoring in Prickly Pear National Park, February 2017.......................... 136 Suggested citation........................................................................................................................... 137 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 137 Vegetation monitoring plots ........................................................................................................... 138 Plot PP01 ..................................................................................................................................... 139 Plot PP02 ..................................................................................................................................... 140 Plot PP03 ..................................................................................................................................... 141 Plot PP04 ..................................................................................................................................... 142 Plot PP05 ..................................................................................................................................... 143 Appendix 11: Varronia bellonis survey and collecting, March 2017................................................... 144 Suggested citation........................................................................................................................... 145 Acknowledgements......................................................................................................................... 145 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 146 Notable findings during this field visit ............................................................................................ 147 Next steps and recommendations .................................................................................................. 149 Twitter Moment - Puerto Rico fieldwork March 2017 ................................................................... 150 Appendix 12: Summary of DPLUS030 activities .................................................................................. 162 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 162 JRONBG Native Plant Nursery Routine ....................................................................................... 163 Horticultural Training March 2017 Summary ................................................................................. 165 Headline numbers for the visit are: ............................................................................................ 165 Training sessions - topics covered and content .......................................................................... 165 Key recommendations for the J.R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens.................................................... 166 Annual Schedule ......................................................................................................................... 169

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Figures Cover photos Top left: TIPAs workshop at the J.R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens © M.A. Hamilton Top right: Sara Barrios and Natasha Harrigan collecting seed on Great Thatch © M.A. Hamilton Middle left: TIPAs Workshop participants (day 3) with project interpretation panels at the J.R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens © M.A. Hamilton Middle right: Michele Sanchez with mature Agave missionum on Anegada © M.D. Sanchez Bottom left: Tom Heller, Sara Barrios and Martin Hamilton collecting Agave snout weevil from dying Agave missionum on Great Thatch © M.D. Sanchez Bottom right: Kew, Fera Science and Fort Worth Zoo joint fieldwork on Anegada © M.D. Sanchez

In-text photos Figure 1: Map of the Puerto Rican Bank ................................................................................................. 1 Figure 2: Survey area on Anegada, 04/02/2017. .................................................................................... 3 Figure 3: Survey area in Warner, Anegada, 05/02/2017. ....................................................................... 4 Figure 4: Survey area near Bones Bight, Anegada, 05/02/2017. ............................................................ 5 Figure 5: Survey area on Great Thatch, 07 February 2017. .................................................................... 6 Figure 6: Dr M.A. Hamilton potting Hohenbergia sp. collection from Great Thatch Island. .................. 7 Figure 7: TIPAs workshop at Fishlock Hall, JRONBG 09 February 2017. ................................................. 7 Figure 8: TIPAs planning meeting participants with interpretation panels, Fishlock Hall, JRONBG. ...... 8 Figure 9: Survey area in North Sound from Fagic Point to Great Hill, 11 February 2017. ...................... 9 Figure 10: Survey area in Gorda Peak National Park, 11 February 2017. ............................................... 9 Figure 11: Survey area on Fallen Jerusalem, 13 February 2017. .......................................................... 10 Figure 12: Placement of Kew camera trap and data logger on Fallen Jerusalem. ................................ 11 Figure 13: Survey area on Virgin Gorda, 13 February 2017. ................................................................. 11 Figure 14: Survey area of Group 1 on Prickly Pear Island, 14 February 2017. ...................................... 12 Figure 15: Survey area of Group 2 on Prickly Pear Island, 14 February 2017. ...................................... 13 Figure 16: Survey area of Group 1 on Prickly Pear Island, 15 February 2017....................................... 14 Figure 17: Survey area of Group 2 on Prickly Pear Island, 15 February 2017. ...................................... 14 Figure 18: Survey area in SMNP, 16 February 2017. ............................................................................ 15 Figure 19: Survey area in SBNP, 16 February 2017. .............................................................................. 16 Figure 20: Survey area around Middle Cay, Anegada, 17 February 2017. ........................................... 17 Figure 21: Survey areas around central Anegada, 17 February 2017. .................................................. 17 Figure 22: Survey area from The Settlement to East End, Anegada, 18 February 2017. ..................... 18 Figure 23: Survey areas around Windlass Bight, Soldier Point and Deep Bay, Anegada, 19 February 2017. ..................................................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 24: Survey areas around West End, Tortola, on 21 February 2017. .......................................... 20 Figure 25: Dr Chris Malumphy provides training for Natasha Harrigan and Keith Grant: microscopy (Left) © Sara Barrios; and pest identification and collecting (Right) © Dr M.A. Hamilton .................. 20 Figure 26: Survey areas around Prickly Pear, 22 February 2017. ......................................................... 21 Figure 27: Drs Michele Sanchez, Rosemary Newton and Chris Malumphy monitoring Agave missionum on Prickly Pear Island © Dr M.A. Hamilton........................................................................................... 21 Figure 28: Introduction to biosecurity and invasive plant pests workshop at JRONBG: Dr Chris Malumphy provides presentation (Left) © Sara Barrios; Workshop participants (Right) © Dr Chris Malumphy. ............................................................................................................................................ 23 viii

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Figure 29: Dr Chris Malumphy examining Calyptranthes kiaerskovii for pests (Left) and lobate lac scale Paratachardina pseudolobata (Right) © Marcella Corcoran ................................................................ 23 Figure 30: Natasha Harrigan sowing seeds (Left) and providing interview for local newspaper with reporter, Conor Devitt (Right) © Marcella Corcoran. ........................................................................... 24 Figure 31: Survey area on Great Tobago, 27 February 2017. ............................................................... 25 Figure 32: Natasha Harrigan preparing labels for accessioned plants in the JRONBG nursery propagated during the DPLUS030 project © Marcella Corcoran. ............................................................................ 28 Figure 33: Survey areas around eastern edge of Maricao State Forest, 09 March 2017. .................... 29 Figure 34: Omar Monsegur discussing Varronia bellonis flower morphology with Jesus M. Rios and Jong Piel Banchs (Left); Jesus M. Rios and Jong Piel Banchs hiking through an area of cleared Varronia bellonis habitat (Right) © Dr M.A. Hamilton. ....................................................................................... 29 Figure 35: DNA sample of Varronia bellonis discovered during surveys 10 March 2017. ................... 30 Figure 36: Survey areas in and around Maricao State Forest, 10 March 2017. ................................... 31 Figure 37: Survey area in Ponce, 10 March 2017. ................................................................................ 31 Figure 38: Survey areas in Guánica, 11 March 2017............................................................................. 32 Figure 39: Survey area in Guayanilla, 11 March 2017. ......................................................................... 32 Figure 40: Varronia bellonis year one presentation (Left) and steering group meeting (Right) at the USFWS office in Cabo Rojo © Omar Monsegur. ................................................................................... 33 Figure 41: Survey areas in Utuado, 14 March 2017. ............................................................................. 34 Figure 42: Omar Monsegur and Jesus M. Rios surveying for more Varronia bellonis plants following new location discovery in Utuado © Dr M.A. Hamilton. ...................................................................... 34 Figure 43: Survey area in Rio Abajo State Forest, 15 March 2017. ...................................................... 35 Figure 44: Survey areas in Ciales, 15 March 2017. ............................................................................... 35 Figure 45: Camera traps deployed to monitor for presence of Cyclura pinguis in Warner, Anegada. 39 Figure 46. Keith Grant and Nancy Pascoe installing corner marker for plot GT03 (Left) and Dr M.A. Hamilton undertaking maintenance around camera trap installed at plot GT03 © Dr M.A. Hamilton. ............................................................................................................................................................ 127 Figure 47. Magnificent frigate birds (Left) and Brown boobies (Right) nesting near plot GT02 © Dr M.A. Hamilton. ............................................................................................................................................ 127 Figure 48. Monitoring success of Aloe vera population control near the ruins (Left) and evidence of camera trap at plot GT02 being used as a bird perch © Dr M.A. Hamilton. ...................................... 127 Figure 49. Trial control of Aloe vera population near the ruins showed signs of success. ................. 129 Figure 50. Locations of vegetation monitoring plots established in June 2016 on Great Tobago and invasive species control locations in September 2016. ...................................................................... 129 Figure 51: Plot GT01 climate date for the period October 2016 to February 2017. .......................... 131 Figure 52. Plot GT02 climate date for the period October 2016 to February 2017. .......................... 132 Figure 53. Plot GT03 climate date for the period October 2016 to February 2017. .......................... 133 Figure 54. Plot GT04 climate date for the period October 2016 to February 2017. .......................... 134 Figure 55. Plot GT05 climate date for the period October 2016 to February 2017. .......................... 135 Figure 56: Kelly Bradley prepares corner post hole for Plot PP02 (Left); Boundary line installed between the corner markers for Plot PP04 (Right). ........................................................................................... 136 Figure 57: Keith Grant prepares corner post hole for Plot PP02 (Left); Dr M.D. Sanchez collects data for a herbarium voucher adjacent to Plot PP02. ...................................................................................... 136 Figure 58: Omar Monsegur photographs Varronia bellonis growing along a small stream in a previously unrecorded location discovered by Jesus M. Rios (Left) © Dr M.A. Hamilton; Jesus M. Rios and Jong ix

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Piel Banchs observe Dr M.A. Hamilton collecting DNA sample from Varronia bellonis © Omar Monsegur. ........................................................................................................................................... 144 Figure 59: Jesus M. Rios and Dr Martin Hamilton discussing Varronia bellonis habitat requirements (Left) © Omar Monsegur; Omar Monsegur Jesus M. Rios and Jong Piel Banchs with Varronia bellonis discovered during surveys 10 March 2017 (Right) © Dr M.A. Hamilton. ........................................... 144 Figure 60: Examples of species reproductive biology observed during surveys in March 2017: Varronia bellonis flowering (Left); fruiting (Middle); and seedling (Right) © Dr M.A. Hamilton. ..................... 147 Figure 61: Jong Piel Banchs attaching a flagging tape with the words “DO NOT CUT” to Varronia bellonis plant discovered adjacent to radio tower access road, Maricao State Forest © Dr M.A. Hamilton. . 148 Figure 62: Dr M.A. Hamilton provides a Varronia bellonis project update presentation for USFWS and DNER staff at the CESFO office in Cabo Rojo © Dr Omar Monsegur. ................................................. 148 Figure 63: Huge expanse of suitable habitat for Varronia bellonis in Maricao State Forest © Dr M.A. Hamilton ............................................................................................................................................. 149

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List of participants Initials BF BR BS CC CD CK CM DA DW DH DP DRR EA EM EMR ES GH ILR JCB JM JPB JRC JS JSA JV KB KG KP LV MAH MARC MDS MG MLF MR NH NJ NWP OM RM RMM RN

Name Bienvenido Friday Brian Ramos Barbara Sanchez Dr Colin Clubbe Conor Devitt Cassandra Kirnon Dr Chris Malumphy Denise Allan Denise Wintz Denville Hodge Diehdra Potter Damaris Roman Ruiz Edwin Avila Edwin Muniz Eloy Martínez Rivera Eugenio Santiago Ghanshun “Gannie” Harry Iván Llerandi-Román José Cruz-Burgos José Martinez Jong Piel Banchs Plaza Jesus M. Rios Cruz Jose Sustache Joseph Smith-Abbott Jeanine Velez Kelly Bradley Keith Grant Kaz Penn Lynda Varlack Dr Martin Hamilton Marcella Corcoran Dr Michele Sanchez Dr Miguel A. Garcia Marisel Lopez Flores Marelisa Rivera Natasha Harrigan Nilda M. Jimenez Marrero Nancy Woodfield-Pascoe Omar Monsegur Ronald Massicott Roseanne Medina Miranda Rosemary Newton

Organisational affiliation Gardener, NPTVI DNER Botany Lab Technician, MAPR Head of Conservation Science, Kew Reporter for The BVI Beacon Newspaper Garden Staff, NPTVI Fera Science Ltd Garden Staff, NPTVI Garden Staff, NPTVI Terrestrial Warden, NPTVI Outreach Officer, NPTVI Parrot Project, DNER Maricao Forest Manager, DNER USFWS Guánica Forest Manager, DNER Professor and UPR Herbarium Manager Gardener, NPTVI USFWS USFWS USFWS Parrot Project, DNER Parrot Project, USFWS Botanist and SJ Herbarium Manager, DNER 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 UKOTs Programme Officer, Kew Caribbean TIPAs Programme Coordinator, Kew CLCC, USFWS Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program Project Leader, USFWS USFWS Nursery & Botanical Centre Manager, NPTVI DNER Deputy Director, NPTVI Biologist/Botanist, USFWS Terrestrial Officer, NPTVI Parrot Project, USFWS Career Development Fellow, UK & Islands Programme, Kew xi

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Initials RPS RS RT SZ TMH TS

Name Rafael Picó Seda Rondell Smith Ronnie Thomas Susan Zaluski Tom Heller Tessa Smith

Organisational affiliation Sub-secretary, DNER Senior Terrestrial Warden, NPTVI Terrestrial Warden, NPTVI Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society Islands Conservation Partnership Co-Coordinator, Kew BVI Ministry of Environment

Acronyms Acronym

Definition

AA

American Airlines

BA

British Airways

BVI

British Virgin Islands

Dfid

Department for International Development, UK

DoA DNER EIS

Department of Agriculture Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Beef Island International Airport

FCO FLMM GIS GPS JRONBG Kew LHR MAPR MIA MSB MSBP

Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UK La Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín Geographic information system Global positioning system J.R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens, Tortola Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew London Heathrow Airport, UK Herbarium of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez Miami International Airport Millennium Seed Bank Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, RBG, Kew

NPTVI OFC PR SJ SJU UK UKOTs

National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands Overseas Fieldwork Committee Puerto Rico Herbarium of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources San Juan International Airport United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United Kingdom Overseas Territories

UPR

Herbarium of the University of Puerto Rico Botanic Garden

UPRRP USDA USFS USFWS VG

Herbarium of the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras US Department of Agriculture US Forest Service US Fish and Wildlife Service Virgin Gorda

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Introduction This report is an account of the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Programme of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew) expedition to the Puerto Rican Bank (Puerto Rico (PR) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI), collectively PRVI) undertaken from 02 February to 18 March 2017. The PRVI visit was undertaken to 1 collect vouchers and baseline, phenotypic, and monitoring data for threatened plant species and their habitat; 2 develop regional collaborations, 3 provide training for National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) staff in field collection, processing of collections and propagation of native and threatened plant species, 4 further develop seed collecting activities in PRVI, 5 continue a collaborative project to identify Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) in the BVI and 6 develop collaborations with Fera Science and Fort Worth Zoo with NPTVI through joint fieldwork and training. The expedition was undertaken with the consent of the BVI Government through the authority of the NPTVI and PR Government through the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER). The Kew field team consisted of several members of staff that visited during differing periods to undertake the aforementioned activities.

Figure 1: Map of the Puerto Rican Bank

The expedition was part of on-going regional collaborations with NPTVI and several Puerto Rican collaborators, namely the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Mayagüez Department of Biology Herbarium (MAPR) and DNER. Besides assisting with the monitoring, documenting and collecting of native, threatened and invasive plant species, the Kew team were specifically in the BVI as part of 1 the Darwin Plus funded project [DPLUS030] “Building systems and capacity to monitor and conserve BVI’s flora” (see Appendices 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12) the EU BEST funded project [1059] “Securing Pockets of paradise in the Caribbean; embedding capacity for invasive alien species management in UKOT based organisations” 1

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 (see Appendix 9) and the HSBC funded project “Identifying and conserving Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) in the British Virgin Islands” (see Appendices 2, 5). Follow-up discussions with PR & BVI partners were held to further develop work plans for the Garfield-Weston funded project to collect and bank seeds of Caribbean tree species. Activities in PR focused on the USFWS funded project [F15AC01225] “Population status and gene bank development for the endangered species Varronia bellonis” administered by DNER (see Appendix 11). Daily entries are provided to record general activities with a focus on the areas visited, participants, and number of specimens collected. The trip itinerary is available in Appendix 1: PRVI February-March 2017 field visit itinerary. Maps are provided, where appropriate, to show general survey areas visited and locations of collections and observations. The track logs shown in maps only reflect the route taken by one or more of the Kew team (unless otherwise noted) and do not necessarily reflect the entire survey area as colleagues often visited other areas in the field to cover more ground. Other data collected by PR and BVI partners will be processed following the field visit and shared within the group. This report has several Appendices listing details of the collections made, project planning, overall itinerary, media coverage and sub-reports for specific funding agencies. Images are provided to illustrate the contents and demonstrate the work undertaken. A compilation of tweets posted by the team can be viewed as Storify compilations in Appendix 5 (TIPAs project) and Appendix 6 (DPLUS project) and a Twitter Moment in Appendix 11 (Varronia bellonis project). A post-fieldwork blog was written by Dr Colin Clubbe and can be accessed on the Kew Science blog website.

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Daily log 02/02/2017 MAH departs LHR for SJU via MIA. MAH works on data and workshop materials during travel. Checkin to SJU Airport Hotel. Overnight in San Juan, PR.

03/02/2017 Check-out of SJU Airport Hotel and check-in for Cape Air flight to EIS. Depart SJU for EIS and clear immigration and customs on arrival. Load all luggage and take taxi to Road Town. Stop at JRONBG to meet with NH and KG before collecting field gear from storage and leaving luggage/equipment not required for Anegada fieldwork. Taxi drops MAH at FLOW wireless office to reactivate SIM cards and add credit for entire team. MAH walks with luggage to ferry dock. Take ferry (30mins delayed) to Anegada. Collect rental car and drive to Neptunes Treasure stopping for groceries on route. Prepare field equipment. Dinner and field work planning discussions in KB apartment.

04/02/2017 MAH & KB drive to east side of The Settlement. Hike northeast to area surveyed for Varronia rupicola in June 2016 that was agreed to be a good location for Cyclura pinguis camera trapping. Deploy 21 camera traps on a grid pattern using ~100m between camera distances. MAH records plant species observations and collects vouchers while KB deploys cameras. Hike back to The Settlement and drive to Neptunes Treasure. MAH processes data, collections and images. Dinner and field work planning discussions in KB apartment.

Figure 2: Survey area on Anegada, 04/02/2017.

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05/02/2017 MAH & KB drive to east side of The Settlement. Hike east to data logger KEWBVI04 deployed for Varronia rupicola microclimate data collection. Collect data and redeploy unit. Hike north through previously unsurveyed area. MAH records plant species observations and collects vouchers. Hike south through previously unsurveyed area. MAH records plant species observations and collects vouchers. Hike back to The Settlement and drive to Bones Bight. Hike to data logger KEWBVI04 deployed for Varronia rupicola microclimate data collection. Collect data and redeploy unit. Hike to edge of ponds to assess access to Middle Cay. Hike back to car and drive Neptunes Treasure. MAH processes data, collections and images. Dinner and field work planning discussions in KB apartment. MAH packs for departure. TMH remains in Dominican Republic due to Insel Air cancelled flight. MAH arranges rental car and plans around TMH delay.

Figure 3: Survey area in Warner, Anegada, 05/02/2017.

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Figure 4: Survey area near Bones Bight, Anegada, 05/02/2017.

06/02/2017 MAH loads luggage and checks out of Neptunes Treasure. Meet with KB for final discussions and planning of further fieldwork. MAH drives to ferry dock and takes ferry to Road Town. Meet Avis representative and drive to JRONBG. Collect stored field equipment and discuss fieldwork plans with NH. MAH drives to Nanny Cay to check-in and unload field equipment. Drive to EIS to meet MDS and SB stopping for petrol and lunch along route. Pick-up MDS and SB ad drive to JRONBG to drop interpretation panels. MAH, MDS and SB drive to Nanny Cay stopping for groceries along route. Unload luggage and groceries and unpack field equipment. Dinner at local restaurant. TMH arrives EIS (one day late due to Insel Air cancelled flight), collects hire car and drives to Nanny Cay to check-in.

07/02/2017 MAH, MDS, SB and TMH drive to Road Town to meet NPTVI marine staff, KAG, NH, DH and RM at boat dock behind The Pub restaurant. Take NPTVI boat to Great Thatch for wet landing on beach. MAH, MDS, SB, TMH, KAG, NH, DH and RM hike up to ridge botanising and collecting along the way. Team finds Agave missionum being attacked by Agave snout weevil and make collections of the pest. MAH, MDS and NH survey ridge and collect specimens. KAG, TMH, SB, DH and RM survey northern edge of ridge for Erythrina eggersii and collect specimens. Two teams hike back, separately, to beach to meet NPTVI marine staff. Take NPTVI boat to West End, Tortola. KAG, SB, MDS, NH, DH and RM take NPTVI truck to Road Town due to high winds causing rough sea conditions. TMH and MAH ride in NPTVI boat to Road Town. MAH, MDS, SB and TMH drive to Nanny Cay to process collections, data and images. Dinner at The Pub.

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Figure 5: Survey area on Great Thatch, 07 February 2017.

08/02/2017 MAH, MDS, SB and TMH drive to JRONBG, separately. TMH and MAH prepare seed accessioning data and prepare collections. MDS assists NH in nursery. SB cleans data and posts to social media. MAH and MDS work in nursery. TMH and NH accession NPTVI seed collections. MAH, MDS and SB prepare Fishlock Hall for workshop. TMH and NH collect take away lunch for team. MAH and MDS work on workshop presentation. MAH, MDS, SB, NH and TMH have lunch in Fishlock Hall. MAH, MDS and SB drive to NPTVI office to collect projector. NH and TMH continue accessioning seed. MAH, MDS and SB drive to hardware store to purchase supplies and equipment. TMH and NH drive to hardware store to pick up MDS and SB while MAH waits for purchased supplies to be prepared for loading. TMH drives MDS and SB to grocery store and then takes NH to Road Town. TMH returns to grocery store. MAH drives to grocery store. Purchase food for TIPAs workshop. SB and TMH drive to Nanny Cay to drop off purchase groceries. MAH and MDS purchase further groceries before returning to Nanny Cay. TMH drives to EIS to meet CC arriving from London via Antigua. MAH and MDS sort field equipment and work on workshop presentation. MAH, MDS and SB drive to local restaurant to meet CC and TMH. Team dinner and discussions.

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Figure 6: Dr M.A. Hamilton potting Hohenbergia sp. collection from Great Thatch Island.

09/02/2017 MAH, MDS, SB, CC and TMH load food and equipment and drive to JRONBG to prepare for TIPAs workshop, separately. Attendees arrive and workshop undertaken. See notes in the section Appendix 2: TIPAs workshop. MAH, MDS, SB, CC and TMH drive to Nanny Cay. Pack field equipment and store excess supplies. Team dinner and discussions in SB room.

Figure 7: TIPAs workshop at Fishlock Hall, JRONBG 09 February 2017.

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10/02/2017 MAH, MDS, SB, CC and TMH load food and equipment and drive to JRONBG to prepare for TIPAs workshop, separately. Attendees arrive and workshop undertaken. See notes in the section Appendix 2: TIPAs workshop. MAH, MDS, SB, CC and TMH drive to Road Town ferry dock to unload luggage and drop-off hire cars. Take Speedy’s ferry to Virgin Gorda. Collect rental cars from Speedy’s and drive to Gordian Terrace to check-in. MAH, TMH and MDS drive to Spanish Town to meet KB arriving from Anegada and purchase groceries. Return to Gordian Terrace to meet CC and SB. Unpack luggage and prepare specimen sorting area. Team dinner and discussions.

Figure 8: TIPAs planning meeting participants with interpretation panels, Fishlock Hall, JRONBG.

11/02/2017 MAH drives CC, SB, MDS, TMH and KB to Fagic Point to survey vegetation for TIPAs project. Hike along coast from Fagic Point toward Biras Creek botanising and collecting. Hike up Great Hill botanising and collecting. Hike back down Great Hill toward Fagic Point botanising and collecting. Drive to Gordian House to drop off TMH and collect cameras trap. MAH drives CC, SB, MDS and KB to Gorda Peak National Park upper entrance. Hike to Calyptranthes spp. populations. MAH deploys camera trap, downloads data logger and changes battery before redeploying unit. Collect cuttings of Calyptranthes spp. for JRONBG (most cuttings taken from freshly cut stems due to trail maintenance. Hike back to vehicle and return to Gordian House. TMH processes specimens. Kew field team process data and images. Team dinner and discussions.

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Figure 9: Survey area in North Sound from Fagic Point to Great Hill, 11 February 2017.

Figure 10: Survey area in Gorda Peak National Park, 11 February 2017.

12/02/2017 Morning spent answering emails, posting to social media and processing data. SB, CC, TMH and KB drive to GPNP. TMH hikes in GPNP. SB, CC and KB drive to Copper Mine National Park to observe exterior of visitor centre and hike trail. SB, CC and KB drive to Savannah Bay to botanise and relax. MAH and MDS drive to Mahoe Bay and Nail Bay before going to Leverick Bay to relax due to large

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 ocean swell on western coast. SB, CC and KB pick-up TMH and return to Gordian House. MAH and MDS return to Gordian House. Team dinner and discussions.

13/02/2017 MAH drives KB and TMH to the harbour in Spanish Town to meet Dive BVI boat for transport to Fallen Jerusalem. Circumnavigate island looking for best area to attempt landing due to large ocean swell. MAH and KB decide to make wet landing in North Lee Bay. TMH returns to Spanish Town and drives back to Gordian House to meet rest of the Kew team. MAH and KB visit all of KB’s camera traps to change batteries and SD cards. MAH deploys Kew camera trap and data logger to record data for Vachellia anegadensis. SB and TMH drive rental vehicles to Little Bay. Leave smaller vehicle and drive safari truck to Spanish Town to meet NWP, DH and TS arriving from Tortola. TMH drives team to lower parking area of GPNP. TMH, SB, CC, MDS, NWP, DH and TS hike from lower parking area toward the dump and down to Little Bay. SB drives TMH, NWP, DH and TS to lower parking area to collect safari truck. SB returns to Little Bay to pick-up MDS and CC before returning to Gordian House. TMH drives NWP, DH and TS to Spanish Town. MAH and KB meet Dive BVI boat at North Lee Bay and return to Spanish Town to meet TMH. TMH drives MAH and KB to Gordian House. Process specimens, data and images. Team dinner and discussions.

Figure 11: Survey area on Fallen Jerusalem, 13 February 2017.

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Figure 12: Placement of Kew camera trap and data logger on Fallen Jerusalem.

Figure 13: Survey area on Virgin Gorda, 13 February 2017.

14/02/2017 SB drives CC to Spanish Town for ferry to Tortola to meet with JSA, TS and NWP and overnight. SB returns to Gordian House. MAH drives SB, MDS, TMH and KB to Gun Creek to meet NPTVI boat for transport to Prickly Pear. TMH, SB, MDS, NH, MAH, KB, RM and KP hike along west coast to monitoring plot 3 dropping plot corner posts at plots 1 and 2 along the way. TMH, SB, MDS and NH (Group 1) hike southeast botanising and collecting. MAH, KB, RM and KP (Group 2) hike to plot 4 dropping plot corner 11

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 posts at plot 5 along the way. Establish corner posts and put up plot marking line. Swap SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. MAH, KB, RM and KP hike to plot 5. Establish corner posts and put up plot marking line. Swap SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. MAH, KB, RM and KP hike to plot 3. Establish corner posts and put up plot marking line. Swap SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. RM and KP hike back to Vixen Point. TMH, SB, MDS and NH hike to Vixen Point botanising and collecting. MAH and KB hike to plot 2 to collect camera trap (unit not functioning properly). MAH and KB hike to plot 1. Swap SD card and batteries in camera trap. MAH and KB hike to Vixen Point. Take NPTVI boat to Gun Creek. MAH drives SB, MDS, TMH and KB to Gordian House. Kew field team process data and images. Team dinner and discussions.

Figure 14: Survey area of Group 1 on Prickly Pear Island, 14 February 2017.

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15/02/2017 SB drives TMH to Spanish Town for ferry to Tortola for flight to UK via Antigua. MAH and MDS drive to Gorda Peak National Park upper entrance. Hike to Calyptranthes spp. populations. MAH deploys replacement camera trap and data logger. MAH and MDS hike back to vehicle and drive to Gordian House. SB returns to Gordian House. MAH drives SB, MDS and KB to Gun Creek to meet NPTVI boat for transport to Prickly Pear. CC, SB, NWP and NH (Group 1) hike east botanising and collecting. MAH, MDS, KB and KG (Group 2) hike along west coast to monitoring plot 2. Establish corner posts and put up plot marking line. Swap batteries in data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploy unit. Deploy replacement camera trap. Group 2 hike to plot 1. Establish corner posts and put up plot marking line. Swap SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. Group 1 hike around Asbestos Point botanising and collecting. Group 2 hike up to and south along the ridge botanising, collecting (notably seed of Stenocereus fimbriatus) and controlling Jatropha gossypifolia. Both groups hike to Vixen Point botanising and collecting. Take NPTVI boat to Gun Creek. CC stays with NPTVI team to overnight on Tortola. MAH drives SB, MDS and KB to Gordian House. Kew field team process data and images. Team dinner and discussions. Pack equipment and luggage for morning departure. RN and CM arrive from LGW via Antigua and take taxi to Nanny Cay to overnight.

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16/02/2017 NWP drives CC to Nanny Cay to meet RN and CM before driving them to NPTVI main office for meetings. MAH and SB drive vehicles with KB and MDS to Spanish Town. SB drops KB at Speedy’s to rent car for overnight on Virgin Gorda. Refuel vehicles and drop luggage at ferry dock before returning vehicles. MDS, SB and MAH take ferry to Tortola. Collect hire car on arrival and drive to JRONBG. MDS and SB process collections. MAH drives to Nanny Cay to sort equipment and collect microscope 14

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 brought to BVI by CM. NWP drives CM and RN to JRONBG to meet MDS and SB. KAG drives CC to airport for flight to UK via Antigua. MAH returns to JRONBG. CM and MAH set-up microscope in botanical centre. RN works on SOTWP report. MDS and SB continue processing collections. MAH drives to local hardware store to purchase supplies for microscope. CM searches for pests in JRONBG. MAH returns to JRONBG to meet CM and finish installing microscope. MAH drives RN, CM, SB and MDS to Nanny Cay. SB and CM check-in to new rooms. MAH drives to SMNP and hikes to Calyptranthes spp. populations to swap battery and collect climate data from logger before redeploying unit. MAH deploys new camera trap to monitor Calyptranthes kiaerskovii. MAH hikes back to vehicle and drives to SBNP. MAH hikes to park marker to swap battery and collect climate data from logger before redeploying unit. MAH hikes back to vehicle and drives to Nanny Cay. All team members prepare field gear and luggage for morning departure. Team dinner and discussions and local restaurant.

Figure 18: Survey area in SMNP, 16 February 2017.

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Figure 19: Survey area in SBNP, 16 February 2017.

17/02/2017 Team members load luggage and equipment and MAH drives SB, MDS, RN and CM to Road Town ferry dock. Take ferry (1 hour delayed) to Anegada via Virgin Gorda (where KB boards vessel). Collect hire car (second car not available till after lunch) and drive to Neptunes Treasure (DW Jeep provides free transport for half of team due to lack of second vehicle). Check-n to hotel and stow luggage. Drive to Bones Bight in KB vehicle and rental car. MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB hike to Middle Cay to survey population of Leptocereues quadricostatus (no flower or fruit, grazing impacting species and habitat). MAH swaps SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB hike across Middle Cay botanising, surveying Agave missionum and collecting entomological samples before returning to vehicles. MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB drive east onto the limestone to survey Agave missionum growing along the road between Windlass Bight and the airport. MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB drive to The Settlement via Loblolly Bay to visit survey for Agave missionum before visiting the before visiting the Cyclura pinguis Headstart Facility. MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB drive to Neptunes Treasure to clean field gear and process data, images and specimens. MAH, MDS, RN and SB visit Pomato Point beach for sunset. Dinner and discussions at KB’s flat.

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Figure 20: Survey area around Middle Cay, Anegada, 17 February 2017.

Figure 21: Survey areas around central Anegada, 17 February 2017.

18/02/2017 MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB drive to east side of The Settlement and hike toward East End. MAH surveys eastern population of Leptocereues quadricostatus (no flower or fruit, grazing impacting species and habitat). MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB hike across East End botanising, surveying Agave missionum and collecting entomological samples. MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB hike northwest along the coast botanising and collecting entomological samples. MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB hike south 17

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 along the salt ponds botanising, surveying Agave missionum and collecting entomological samples. MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM and KB hike back to the The Settlement before driving to Neptunes Treasure. All clean field gear and process data, images and specimens. MAH, RN, CM, MDS and SB visit Pomato Point beach for sunset. Dinner and discussions at KB’s flat. All finish processing data and images.

Figure 22: Survey area from The Settlement to East End, Anegada, 18 February 2017.

19/02/2017 RN works on State of the World’s Plants report at hotel. MAH, MDS, SB, CM and KB drive to Windlass Bight to survey Mitracarpus cf. polycladus population, botanise and collect entomological samples. Drive to junction of road leading to Soldier Point. Hike in a loop botanising, surveying Agave missionum and collecting entomological samples. Drive to Deep Bay to survey Mitracarpus cf. polycladus population, botanise and collect entomological samples. MAH and KB drive to DW Jeep Rentals to settle car hire payments before returning to Neptunes Treasure. SB, Cm and MDS visit Loblolly Bay to observe vegetation and development and collect entomological samples before returning to Neptunes Treasure. All clean field gear and process data, images and specimens. MAH, MDS and SB visit Pomato Point beach for sunset. Dinner and discussions at KB’s flat. Start packing luggage and equipment for morning departure.

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Figure 23: Survey areas around Windlass Bight, Soldier Point and Deep Bay, Anegada, 19 February 2017.

20/02/2017 MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM AND KB finish packing and load luggage and equipment. Check-out of Neptunes Treasure and drive to Setting Point for ferry to Tortola. Unload load luggage and equipment and return hire car. Ferry to Tortola. MAH updates report along route. Load luggage and equipment into rental car and drive to JRONBG to drop off KB. Remainder of the team drive to Nanny Cay to unload load luggage and equipment and have some rest time following working weekend. Team dinner and discussions.

21/02/2017 MAH, MDS, SB, RN and CM drive to Fish-n-Lime at West End to meet NPTVI staff (NH, DH and KG). Unable to take boat to Great Tobago due to weather conditions and sea swell. Team splits until afternoon to undertake separate activities. Team 1: SB, NH and KG drive to JRONBG. SB works on specimens with assistance from NH. Team 2: MAH, MDS, DH, RN and CM undertake fieldwork around West End and Belmont Pond, Tortola focusing on Agave missionum and Agave snout weevil monitoring and making opportunistic collections to fill gaps for TIPAs project. MAH, MDS, DH, RN and CM drive to JRONBG stopping for lunch at Nanny Cay. CM provides training for NH and KG on setting up and using microscope before visiting JRONBG collections to observe and collect insects. MDS and SB process new collections and all Kew staff process data and images. MAH, MDS, SB, RN, CM, NH and KG drive to QEII National Park to observe and collect insects and botanise. MAH, MDS, SB, RN and CM drive to Nanny Cay. Team dinner and discussions. Team 3: MARC takes taxi to Gatwick for flight to EIS via Antigua. MARC collects up hire car at EIS and drives to Nanny Cay. MARC checks-in with the night security, collects note from team about plans, unpacks and prepares for following day. 19


Figure 24: Survey areas around West End, Tortola, on 21 February 2017.

Figure 25: Dr Chris Malumphy provides training for Natasha Harrigan and Keith Grant: microscopy (Left) © Sara Barrios; and pest identification and collecting (Right) © Dr M.A. Hamilton

22/02/2017 Team 1: MARC and SB drive JRONBG to meet NH. MARC greets all garden staff while NH waters nursery and carries out morning routine. Once done NH and SB work on collection data in Brahms database all day as part of DPLUS030 training programme. MARC assessed as much as possible and plans work for the weeks ahead. Most nursery supplies in stock and available for immediate work; others can wait until next week to order through the NPTVI main office (Promix compost running low). Noted immediate work that needed to be done in nursery (e.g. recording final numbers of trials, pricking out, potting on and removal of dead trays and pots). Native garden beds have some gaps that can be filled using mature nursery plants. MARC and SB drive to Nanny Cay. Process images. Team 2: MAH, MDS, RN and CM take ferry to Virgin Gorda. Walk to marina to meet NPTVI staff for boat ride to Prickly Pear (heavy swell). MAH, MDS, RN and CM undertake fieldwork on Prickly Pear 20

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 focusing on Agave missionum and Agave snout weevil monitoring and making opportunistic collections to fill gaps for TIPAs project. Only two living plants of Agave missionum were observed on the entire island. Both were immature. Lots of dead (many long-dead) Agave missionum recorded. MAH, MDS, RN and CM hike back to Vixen Point to meet NPTVI staff for boat ride to Virgin Gorda ferry dock. Take ferry to Tortola and drive to Nanny Cay. Process data and images. Clean field gear. MAH takes dinner orders from field team and goes to Mulligans to meet SB and MARC (dining in) for team discussions and planning.

Figure 26: Survey areas around Prickly Pear, 22 February 2017.

Figure 27: Drs Michele Sanchez, Rosemary Newton and Chris Malumphy monitoring Agave missionum on Prickly Pear Island © Dr M.A. Hamilton

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23/02/2017 MARC, SB, CM, MAH, RN and MDS meet briefly to discuss plans before splitting to undertake separate activities. RN says farewells before departing for UK via Antigua. Team 1: MARC and SB drive to JRONBG to meet NH. NH and MARC undertaker morning routine and pest monitoring. NH and MARC had a discussion on work to achieve in the nursery. NH works with SB cleaning data and refresher training for DPLUS030 project. MARC worked on potting rooted cuttings and sorting into groups; recording everything and photographing groups of the native plants. MARC washed and filled the pot washing barrels and set up routine for pot washing. Raked most of nursery area with particular attention to the propagation area. Washed down the propagation bench. Discussed covering the propagation bench with new plastic, however; the nursery is due to be rebuilt from end of March 2017; decide to make do for the next few weeks. MARC potted on and fertilised the “Xmas Tree” Araucaria heterophylla which is used every Christmas out in the Gardens for display in the Christmas bed. MARC noted success with rooting both species of Calyptranthes; two establishing plants of each species. Team 2: CM, MAH and MDS drive to Fish-n-Lime at West End to meet NPTVI staff (KP, DH and KG) and take boat to Great Tobago. On arrival, landing assessed and determined to be too dangerous due to sea swell and approaching storm. Return to Tortola. CM, MAH and MDS drive to Nanny Cay. CM prepares workshop presentations and process samples. MAH and MDS focus on data cleaning & equipment sorting. MARC, SB, CM, MAH, and MDS meet for team dinner and discussions.

24/02/2017 Team 1: MARC, CM and SB drive to JRONBG to meet NH. NH and MARC undertake morning routine and select rooted cuttings for the upcoming Flower Show, garden plantings and plant sale to set aside for potting up (the main objective is to have them well established for the upcoming Flower Show) Plants selected were mostly from the perlite propagation bed and some from pots. MARC SB and DA helped CM to set up the Fishlock Hall for one day workshop. CM provides workshop for NPTVI and BVI Dept. of Agriculture staff (see Appendix 3: Introduction to biosecurity and invasive plant pests workshop). NH and MARC returned to the nursery to check watering (NH’s routine on Friday afternoon is to water well before the weekend) and pack up for the day. Team 2: MAH and MDS load Kew group supplies and drive to JRONBG to store supplies; MAH and MDS carried out stock check in the nursery and garden beds, accessioning new plants, as necessary. MARC, CM, SB, MAH and MDS return to Nanny Cay to undertake data cleaning & specimen processing. Team dinner and discussions.

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Figure 28: Introduction to biosecurity and invasive plant pests workshop at JRONBG: Dr Chris Malumphy provides presentation (Left) © Sara Barrios; Workshop participants (Right) © Dr Chris Malumphy.

25/02/2017 Team 1: MARC, SB and CM visit SMNP to observe threatened plants and collect pest insect samples. CM found Paratachardina pseudolobata (lobate lac scale) on a Cestrum sp. and on Calyptranthes kiaerskovii. SB recorded locations and CM photographed all pest found in the habitat. Walked back out to the car park. Stopped for water on way to meet MAH and MDS. Team 2: MAH and MDS undertake final specimen processing and prepare export documents. MAH prepares draft documents for discussion with MARC and NH detailing work to undertake for DPLUS030 project. MARC, CM, SB, MAH and MDS meet at Cane Garden Bay before driving to Nanny Cay. Team dinner and discussions.

Figure 29: Dr Chris Malumphy examining Calyptranthes kiaerskovii for pests (Left) and lobate lac scale Paratachardina pseudolobata (Right) © Marcella Corcoran

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26/02/2017 MAH and CM meet to format and clean insect collections data before preparing export documents. Entire team drives to NWP home for afternoon tea before visiting Cane Garden Bay for dinner. Return to Nanny Cay. MAH finalises documents and sends to MARC and NH detailing work to undertake for DPLUS030 project. MAH & MDS prepare for Great Tobago fieldwork.

27/02/2017 Team 1: MARC drives SB and CM to JRONBG for farewells before driving them to EIS for flights to UK. MARC returns to JRONBG. NH finished morning routine. NH and MARC start seed sowing for the collections made over the last two weeks and some older than this. Continued with this for the day. Washing and sterilising trays and watering in seed from the base of tray. Labelled and recorded and set up monitoring sheets for each collection sown. NH continued sowing seed. MARC moved plants around in nursery to make room for new seed trays. Also consolidated sales plants to create more space for newly potted rooted cutting for sales and for the gardens to plant out. Late afternoon a reporter, Conor Devitt, from The Beacon Newspaper arrived to interview NH and MARC on work and capacity building for the project. He focused on NH finding Solanum conocarpum in the garden and on-going propagation work.

Figure 30: Natasha Harrigan sowing seeds (Left) and providing interview for local newspaper with reporter, Conor Devitt (Right) © Marcella Corcoran.

Team 2: MAH and MDS drive to Fish-n-Lime at West End to meet NPTVI staff (NWP and KG) and take boat to Great Tobago via Jost van Dyke to meet SZ. Land equipment and personnel (wet landing) and prepare for fieldwork. MAH, MDS, KG, NWP and SZ hike to plot GT01 carrying corner markers, tools and supplies. SZ embarks on bird survey. NWP and KG establish corner posts and put up plot marking line at plot GT01. MAH and MDS swap SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. MAH, NWP and KG hike to GT05 carrying corner markers, tools and supplies. MDS remains at GT01 clearing vegetation from the plot line and access trail. NWP and KG establish corner posts and put up plot marking line at plot GT05. MAH swaps SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. MAH, NWP and KG hike to GT01 to meet MDS. NWP and KG hike to GT03 carrying corner markers, tools and supplies. MAH and MDS hike to GT02 carrying corner markers, tools and supplies. Unable to establish corner posts and put up plot marking line at plot GT02 due to nesting 24

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 birds. MAH and MDS swap SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. MAH and MDS hike to GT03 to meet NWP and KG who are establishing corner posts and putting up plot marking line. MDS assists NWP and KG. MAH swaps SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. MDS, MAH, NWP and KG hike to GT04. MDS, NWP and KG establish corner posts and put up plot marking line at plot GT04. MAH swaps SD card and batteries in camera trap and data logger and collect climate data from logger before redeploying both units. MDS, MAH, NWP and KG hike to Camp to meet SZ. Board NPTVI boat and return to West End, Tortola. MAH and MDS drive to Nanny Cay to meet MARC. Process data and images. MAH and MDS wash field gear and start packing luggage and remaining equipment for storage. Team dinner and discussions.

Figure 31: Survey area on Great Tobago, 27 February 2017.

28/02/2017 Team 1: MARC drives to JRONBG to meet NH for morning routine. MARC and NH finish sowing the native seed (except Cactaceae as we want to first talk to KAG). Pot on seedlings of Sabal causiarum and sow Calyptranthes thomasiana seed after overnight soak. NH provides tour of the gardens for year 12 students before going to SMNP with KAG and KP for students’ tour of the National Park. MARC starts to clear out and pot up the cuttings from the Perlite propagation bed which had rooted; removing any dead cuttings, leaves and debris from the area. MARC consolidated all the threaten plant collections into groups for accessioning, potting on and removal. MARC checked through all the cuttings in bags for new rooting and removed pots to drain out excess water. MARC removed dropped leaves and re-labelled outside of bags with collector numbers. MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images. MARC creates folder of labels for particular areas in the nursery to assist in making it clearer where items belong and what they are for in the event that NH is not available.

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Team 2: MDS and MAH finish packing luggage and field supplies. MAH provides interview for BVI Beacon over the phone. Check-out of Nanny Cay Resort and drive to JRONBG to meet MARC. Unload and store field equipment and supplies. Discuss plans with MARC and say farewells to NPTVI staff. Drive to DHL to ship BVI collections to Kew stopping for fuel along route. Drive to EIS to check-in for flight to SJU and return hire car. MAH and MDS have lunch before clearing security and taking Cape Air flight to SJU. On arrival, MAH and MDS clear immigration and customs and take taxi to hotel for holiday. Only work related activities will be reported in subsequent daily entries until 07 March 2017 for MAH and MDS.

01/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC drives to JRONBG to meet NH for morning routine. Collect final data on the Iguana scat seed treatment trails. Collected numbers of germinations of each group of seed sown. MARC and NH wrote labels for every individual plant currently without a label grown from cuttings or seed which will be accessioned. NH sowed seed of several species of annuals for the Flower Show. MARC continued potting up the rooted cuttings from the perlite bed. MARC, KAG, NH and KP drove to Fort Garden Centre for supplies. Compost, fertilisers, pest control, pots etc. KAG asked for a quote for everything needed and put it into the office via RM who was in the garden later that day. Started to clear out pots, soil and rubbish from under Mango tree in nursery staff area. Aim to use the sand and soil for the next batch of potting compost. Started to sort and wash pots for reuse. MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images.

02/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC drives to JRONBG to meet NH for morning routine. MARC potted up ten Agave missionum rescued from development near Hawk’s Nest by KAG. NH and MARC processed more rooted cuttings to pot up. MARC took up to date photos of iguana scat germination trials for the records. Removed any trial plants which were weak or under developed. Shifted plants in good condition to main nursery where they will be potted up for 2017 Arbour day event. Ten plants of each species will be kept in with the aim of being planted into the garden when they are big enough. LV requested that all storage cupboards be emptied ready for removal the following day as work is being carried out in the garden to update waterworks, shed and cupboards for storage. The new nursery is planned to be built after the Flower Show at the end of March 2017. KAG carried out most of this work. MARC and NH help in the afternoon and rescued plastic pots for washing and re-using. GH, DH and KP helped with moving rubbish away to skip and supplies to an alternative storage. MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images. PR Team: MAH and MDS meet with JS in San Juan for dinner and discussions.

03/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC drives to JRONBG to meet NH for morning routine. NH catches up on admin work and recording monitoring data for the rest of morning. MARC continued to pot-on the rooted cuttings. MARC and NH gather the supplies needed for accessioning plants next week. Wired all tags ready. Cleaned off writing, washed and sterilised used plant labels ready for reuse. Mixed up propagation media for use next week. Watering ready for the long weekend; clean up nursery floors and benches. Empty bins and wash out. Soak more pots in bleach. Germination of the recently sown seeds started today with several Senna polyphylla var. neglecta germinating after only four days. MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images. 26

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 PR Team: MAH and MDS meet with JS in San Juan for dinner and discussions.

04/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC drives to JRONBG. Greeted DW at the gate who worked for the day in the ticket booth. Water and check plants. Recorded germinations. Worked on several native plant species for display pots to use in Flower show. Washed 100’s of pots and plastic bags. Potted on rooted cuttings from perlite bed grown for sales and garden beds. MARC went over the selection of well-established plants that will be ready for accessioning next week. MARC continued to clear out at the base of mango tree in the nursery staff area, recycling pots and any soil, sand, perlite stored there. Raked and swept. KAG and GH arrived late afternoon (garden closed to public) to spray insecticide on plant pests. MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images. PR Team: MAH and MDS meet with OM, BS and BR in Hatillo for dinner and discussions.

05/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC has rest day at Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images.

06/03/2017 BVI Team: Public Holiday in BVI. MARC drives to JRONBG. Greeted by RT who was working in the ticket booth. Watering and monitoring for pest disease and anything unusual. Potting on, sorting plants establishing and/or germination monitoring. Went through entire nursery to remove any dead or weak plants taking up precious space. Replace plastic bags on cuttings. List of jobs for week, list of extra signage for nursery. MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images. PR Team: MDS departs for LHR via PHL. MAH purchases fieldwork supplies.

07/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC uses office at Nanny Cay to print lists for checking propagation numbers. MARC drives to JRONBG to meet NH for morning routine. MARC and NH prepared Cactaceae seed with a fungicide coating and sowed into several pots of succulent media. Sort through all the garden plant labels found in the storage cupboards. Used them where we could; some in the garden and some for nursery sale plants. Many exotics are no longer living in the garden. KAG will identify the palms to match the palm labels when an opportunity arises. The remaining plant labels have been stored. MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images. PR Team: MAH checks out of hotel and drives to SJ to meet JS and collect fieldgear. MAH and JS drive to DNER main office to meet Rafael Picó Seda (Sub-secretary, DNER) to discuss collaborations and funding related to USFWS and Garfield-Weston projects. MAH and JS return to SJ for planning discussions and to consult specimens. MAH drives to Ponce to check-in to Holiday Inn Ponce. Dinner in hotel.

08/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC uses office at Nanny Cay to print list for accessioning at the gardens. MARC drives to JRONBG to meet NH for morning routine. NH and MARC accessioning native plants all day. 106 plants accessioned and remaining in the Conservation nursery for further work as they develop. (e.g. potting on). MARC planted up more native plants as display pots for the Flowers Show. Agave missionum

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 (MAH1667) started to germinate today (8 days since sowing the seed). MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images. MARC updated excel spread sheets with accession numbers. PR Team: MAH works on GIS, prepares field equipment and supplies for fieldwork and works on Varronia bellonis year one report and presentation. Dinner at local restaurant.

Figure 32: Natasha Harrigan preparing labels for accessioned plants in the JRONBG nursery propagated during the DPLUS030 project © Marcella Corcoran.

09/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC drives to JRONBG to meet NH for morning routine. NH carried out the germination recording. Followed by liquid fertilizing of all plants (which involves a good watering of everything) in the nursery. Fertilising has been added to the annual planning calendar as a routine task. MARC gathered up old plant label information to add to accession sheets, double checking that all information for new accessions was in the spread sheet. NH and MARC worked through a yearly planner as well as the weekly planner, to enable easier planning for events and timings for propagation. MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images. PR Team: MAH drives to Maricao to meet OM, JPB and JRC at Cabañas del Monte del Estado. MAH, OM, JPB and JRC drive to private property adjacent to Maricao State Forest along Highway PR-366 where JPB and JRC have permission to survey and have previously identified several individuals of Varronia bellonis. Survey and botanise the area collecting DNA samples and recording data along the way. Return to Cabañas del Monte del Estado. MAH drives to Holiday Inn Ponce. MAH cleans field gear and processes data, images and specimens.

28


Figure 33: Survey areas around eastern edge of Maricao State Forest, 09 March 2017.

Figure 34: Omar Monsegur discussing Varronia bellonis flower morphology with Jesus M. Rios and Jong Piel Banchs (Left); Jesus M. Rios and Jong Piel Banchs hiking through an area of cleared Varronia bellonis habitat (Right) © Dr M.A. Hamilton.

10/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC drives to JRONBG to meet NH for morning routine. NH and MARC work together to finalise accessioning. NH and MARC prepare list of priority jobs for the nursery following the flower show: 

Small plants to pot up esp. 4” pots of natives



Fertilising every two weeks with liquid feed (esp the sale plants and garden plants)



Pest control using hands, water, alcohol to control before they reach unmanageable numbers.



Plants destined for the garden beds moved out before building work starts.



Seedlings for Arbour day potted from 4” to I gallon pots and moved to Arbour Day area. 29

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 NH and MARC prepare small tubs of propagation media, sorted and tidied the nursery bench area and cleaned the remaining plastic plant labels. Leaf picked, raked and cleaned the entire nursery. MARC returns to Nanny Cay. MARC updates finance, diary and images. MARC washes laundry and starts packing. MARC continues updating spreadsheets for NH and report. Dinner at local restaurant. PR Team: MAH drives to Maricao to meet OM, JPB and JRC at bakery. Drive two vehicles to western side of forest along Highway 119 to leave MAH vehicle. Drive to Alto del Descanso in USFWS vehicle. Hike along trail from Alto del Descanso to MAH vehicle along Highway 119. Survey and botanise the area collecting DNA samples and recording data along the way. Drive to Alto del Descanso and then along Highway 120 along toward Cabañas del Monte del Estado. Survey and botanise the area collecting DNA samples and recording data along the way. MAH shows OM, JPB and JRC location of KEWPR03 data logger. MAH swaps battery and collects climate data from logger before redeploying unit. Drive to Alto del Descanso to collect USFWS vehicle. Drive to Maricao fish hatchery to return USFWS vehicle. Hike to area adjacent to the Parrot aviary to deploy KEWPR05 data logger with OM, JPB and JRC. Hike back to vehicles. MAH drives to Ponce. MAH hikes to KEWPR02 data logger to swap battery and collect climate data from logger before redeploying unit. MAH hikes back to vehicle and drives to Holiday Inn Ponce. MAH cleans field gear and processes data, images and specimens.

Figure 35: DNA sample of Varronia bellonis discovered during surveys 10 March 2017.

30


Figure 36: Survey areas in and around Maricao State Forest, 10 March 2017.

Figure 37: Survey area in Ponce, 10 March 2017.

11/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC cleans all equipment and boots to dry in time to pack. Work on files, photos and diary. Phone NH to discuss any further thoughts. Pack luggage ready for morning departure. PR Team: MAH drives to Guánica to collect KEWPR01 data logger. MAH checks-in with forest office before hiking to data logger. MAH swaps battery and collects climate data from logger before 31

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 redeploying unit. MAH hikes back to vehicle and drives along main road botanising and surveying Agave snout weevil. MAH drives to area along Highway 2 in Guayanilla where Agave missionum plant was spotted on the road cut. MAH walks along the road botanising. MAH drives to Holiday Inn Ponce. MAH cleans field gear and processes data, images and specimens.

Figure 38: Survey areas in Guánica, 11 March 2017.

Figure 39: Survey area in Guayanilla, 11 March 2017.

32


12/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC checks-out of Nanny Cay hotel and drives to EIS stopping at JRONBG (open for cruise ship) to collect a bag and at petrol station to refuel hire car. Return hire car and check-in for LIAT flight to Antigua. Fly to Antigua for a six hour layover before BA flight to London. PR Team: MAH works on GIS, packs field equipment and supplies for move to Manati and works on Varronia bellonis year one report and presentation. Dinner at local restaurant.

13/03/2017 BVI Team: MARC arrives UK and takes taxi home. End of reporting for MARC and BVI daily activities. PR Team: MAH drives to USFWS office in Cabo Rojo for Varronia bellonis year one presentation and steering group meeting. MAH and OM meet to discuss plans and step-up for presentation. MAH provides presentation providing overview of Varronia bellonis project and detailing year one results for USFWS and DNER staff. Following the presentation, the USFWS funded Varronia bellonis project steering group (MAH, OM, MR, NJ, JS, MG, ILR and JCB) meet to discuss the project and make recommendations for further activities. Lunch and discussions at local restaurant with USFWS and DNER staff. Planning meeting with OM for upcoming fieldwork and collect Varronia spp. specimens and seeds OM and colleagues have collected for transport to SJ. Meet with ILR and JMR to discuss logistics of Utuado fieldwork. MAH drives to Hyatt Place, Manati and checks-in. MAH works on GIS and report and prepares field equipment for fieldwork. Dinner at local restaurant.

Figure 40: Varronia bellonis year one presentation (Left) and steering group meeting (Right) at the USFWS office in Cabo Rojo © Omar Monsegur.

14/03/2017 MAH drives to Arecibo to meet OM and JRC arriving from Mayaguez. Drive two vehicles to Intersection of Highways PR-111 and PR-602 in Utuado. Leave MAH vehicle at local gas station after speaking with owner. Drive to Finca Las Coccolobas (property of ILR). Survey and botanise the area. Continue north along unimproved road toward Hatillo boundary collecting DNA samples and recording data along the way. Arrive at private property where ILR observed Varronia bellonisI. Speak with owner about the property and gain permission to access and collect samples. Hike along trail toward caves that ILR was visiting when discovery made collecting DNA samples and recording data along the way. Hike back to vehicle and drive back to Finca Las Coccolobas. Deploy KEWPR06 data logger. Drive back to MAH vehicle. OM and JRC depart for Mayaguez. MAH drives to Hyatt Place, Manati. MAH cleans field gear and processes data, images and specimens.

33


Figure 41: Survey areas in Utuado, 14 March 2017.

Figure 42: Omar Monsegur and Jesus M. Rios surveying for more Varronia bellonis plants following new location discovery in Utuado © Dr M.A. Hamilton.

15/03/2017 MAH drives to Rio Abajo State Forest to meet JS arriving from San Juan. Drive to end of public access along PR-621. Hike to area behind old camp ground near extant Varronia bellonis plants to deploy KEWPR07 data logger. Hike back to vehicles and drive along PR-146 to area between Segui and Hacienda Santa Elena in Ciales where JS undertook transects and found Varronia bellonis in the 1990’s. 34

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Survey area adjacent to the research transects without finding extant Varronia bellonis plants. Hike back to vehicles and drive to another access road further east. Confirm access and collecting with property owner and hike northwest. Survey and botanise the area which was fairly degraded. Discover a single Varronia bellonis plant and collect DNA sample and record data. Hike back to vehicles and drive toward Manati. JS departs for San Juan. MAH drives to Hyatt Place, Manati. MAH cleans field gear and processes data, images and specimens.

Figure 43: Survey area in Rio Abajo State Forest, 15 March 2017.

Figure 44: Survey areas in Ciales, 15 March 2017.

35


16/03/2017 MAH finishes packing field equipment and luggage and loads into vehicle. Check out of Hyatt Manati and drive to SJ Herbarium to meet JS. JS and MAH drive to UPR herbarium to meet ES for introductory discussions. JS, ES and MAH go for lunch at local restaurant to continue discussions before returning to UPR to examine specimens of Varronia rupicola and V. bellonis. MAH stores field equipment and prepares collections for storage at SJ. MAH and JS complete paperwork for collections and store materials with previous collections. MAH drives to SJU Airport Hotel and checks-in. Dinner at restaurant in Isla Verde. Return to SJU Airport Hotel and prepare luggage for departure.

17/03/2017 MAH checks out of SJU Airport Hotel and checks-in for flight to LHR via PHL (delayed 15 minutes). MAH updates report along route.

18/03/2017 MAH arrives LHR. Taxi to Brentford to unpack, sort field equipment and organise supplies to return to Kew. End of field visit related activities and reporting.

36


Findings and Notes The BVI and PR visits were very successful and continued building collaborations between Kew and PRVI colleagues. Of particular significance was the final visit to BVI for the DPLUS030 project and first formal meeting of the Varronia bellonis project steering group with USFWS and DRNA staff in Puerto Rico. Continued regional collaborations will benefit all involved and increase the potential for many important advances in species conservation, knowledge transfer and identifying funding opportunities. Activities and discussions specific to funded projects are reported in separate appendices as follows: HSBC funded project “Identifying and conserving Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) in the British Virgin Islands” see Appendix 2: TIPAs workshop EU BEST funded project [1059] “Securing Pockets of paradise in the Caribbean; embedding capacity for invasive alien species management in UKOT based organisations” see Appendix 9: Vegetation Monitoring in Great Tobago National Park, February 2017. Complementary activities undertaken on Prickly Pear island are reported in Appendix 10: Vegetation Monitoring in Prickly Pear National Park, February 2017. USFWS funded project [F15AC01225] “Population status and gene bank development for the endangered species Varronia bellonis” administered by DNER see Appendix 11: Varronia bellonis survey and collecting, March 2017. Darwin Initiative funded project [DPLUS030] “Building systems and capacity to monitor and conserve BVI’s flora” see Appendix 12: Summary of DPLUS030 activities.

Collecting and survey work Areas visited in BVI were surveyed for populations of threatened species (e.g. Varronia rupicola, Senna polyphylla var. neglecta, Croton fishlockii, Zanthoxylum thomasianum) and data gathered for assessing TIPAs. 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 JRONBG. In BVI, opportunistic collections of seed new to the MSB were made with NPTVI staff. A full set of material was donated to Kew for addition to the collections and further research. A duplicate set of herbarium specimens have been sent to Kew for naming, mounting and digitisation before being repatriated to the BVI. Duplicate seed collections were left in the BVI. A full list of material collected is available in Appendix 7: BVI February 2017 collections sent to Kew. Further recommendations will be made once specimen naming is completed and any genetic analysis of the DNA samples, pending available funding, are completed. Surveys were undertaken to assess the Agave snout weevil infestation in BVI on the islands of Anegada, Tortola and Prickly Pear. Further surveys are planned for June 2017 on other islands (e.g. Great Tobago) and new locations. The findings will be summarised in subsequent field reports and publications. To collect complementary data across the Puerto Rican Bank in threatened species habitats, particularly for Vachellia anegadensis (BVI only), Calyptranthes spp. (BVI only), Leptocereus quadricostatus, Varronia rupicola and V. bellonis (Puerto Rico only), EL-USB-2+ data loggers have been deployed and all units are set to record hourly at 1 second past the hour. The data loggers deployed in Puerto Rico are: KEWPR01 – Guanica; KEWPR02 – Ponce; KEWPR03 & KEWPR05– Maricao; KEWPR04 – Vieques; KEWPR06 – Utuado; KEWPR07 – Rio Abajo. The data loggers deployed in BVI 37

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 are: KEWBVI01, KEWBVI04; KEWBVI06 & KEWBVI07 – Anegada; KEWBVI05 – Virgin Gorda; KEWBVI02 & KEWBVI03 – Tortola; KEWFJ01 – Fallen Jerusalem. The data loggers were processed during the field visit using an EL-DataPad Handheld Programmer and Data Collector. The data loggers were first stopped and the log file was downloaded to the EL-DataPad. Once download was complete, the summary was reviewed to ensure that the data logger had been correctly programmed to record every hour at one second after the hour (e.g. 12:00:01). The data loggers were then redeployed with new batteries installed using the same settings to ensure that all readings across the five devices were recorded at the same time.Data loggers deployed on Great Tobago and Prickly Pear to assist vegetation monitoring are reported in Appendices 9 and 10, respectively. Acorn Camera Ltl-6310M traps have also been deployed to monitor phenology and faunal associations, particularly in BVI. On Fallen Jerusalem, camera trap KEWFJCAMERA01 is deployed to monitor Vachellia anegadensis. On Virgin Gorda and Tortola, camera traps KEWVGCAMERA01 and KEWTOLACAMERA01 are deployed, respectively, to monitor Calyptranthes spp. On Anegada, BVICAMERA_0010 is deployed to monitor Varronia rupicola and BVIAM01 is deployed to monitor Agave missionum. The cameras were processed during the field visit with each camera having 12 charged AA lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and a clean 32GB SDHC memory card installed. To prolong battery life, each camera was reconnected to an Acorn Camera Ltl-SUN series solar charger via the supplied USB power cable. The camera lenses and solar panels were cleaned with a lens towel to remove dirt. Other camera traps are currently stored in BVI and Puerto Rico for deployment later in 2017 when environmental conditions are favourable. Camera traps deployed on Great Tobago and Prickly Pear to assist vegetation monitoring are reported in Appendices 9 and 10, respectively. Camera traps deployed by Kelly Bradley on Anegada to monitor for Cyclura pinguis and Fallen Jerusalem to monitor for feral cats are discussed below. BVI Overall, the field team collected 476 new botanical records comprised of 399 observation and 77 voucher records. Of the latter, these included 67 herbarium vouchers (with one or more specimens), 65 DNA samples, 2 spirit collections, 6 seed collections and 4 living collections. Only one seed collection was large enough to split and send half to Kew’s MSB. All living collections remained at the JRONBG. Anegada Further monitoring of Varronia rupicola was undertaken on Anegada in February 2017. New areas were surveyed and dozens of previously unrecorded plants were observed on Anegada. Most plants showed obvious signs of reproduction since October 2016 except for those observed at the eastern extent of the island and raised areas of limestone were there are drought conditions. Recent recruitment was observed in several areas. Three data loggers deployed on the island were visited to replace batteries and collect readings from each device. Deployment of 21 camera traps was undertaken in Warner to monitor for Cyclura pinguis. The area was identified for monitoring by the high number of Varronia rupicola plants present.

38


Figure 45: Camera traps deployed to monitor for presence of Cyclura pinguis in Warner, Anegada.

A camera trap was deployed at the eastern extent of Warner facing a large Agave missionum plant that appears to have an inflorescence forming. A data logger was also deployed to collect microclimate data of the site to correspond to the flowering event. The field team visited Middle Cay to process the camera trap focusing on developing flowers/fruits of Leptocereus quadricostatus. The author visited the second Leptocereus quadricostatus population between Warner and East End and found the plants to be decreasing in health with no signs of flower/fruit development. Pests are causing damage to the growing tips of the branches and feral livestock have completely cleared the surrounding vegetation. Urgent action is needed to assist the population and to secure further material for ex-situ collections. This area would be ideal for establishing an exclosure. Following on from previous survey work, Kew staff visited several new locations to survey for threatened species, assess any populations encountered and make appropriate collections with KB and CM. Several new individuals of Varronia rupicola were observed in the Warner and Citron Bush areas. Further survey and imagery interpretation is required to determine the extent of the high density area for the species. Further monitoring and recording of Mitracarpus polycladus on Anegada near Deep Bay was undertaken with assistance from KB and CM. Tortola The populations of Calyptranthes thomasiana and C. kiaerskovii on Mount Sage within the Sage Mountain National Park were visited by MAH for camera trap deployment and datalogger processing and by CM, SB and MARC to collect pest insect samples. A complete assessment and tagging of individual trees is required to determine the size of the population and if it extends outside the park boundaries. Further survey should target areas of similar habitat in and around Sage Mountain National Park. Several new pest insect collections were made within the boundary of the park. These 39

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 are discussed in Appendix 4: Preliminary report on invasive alien arthropod species that present a plant health risk in the British Virgin Islands. Great Thatch An initial survey of the island by NPTVI staff previously found several threatened species. During the field visit, Kew and NPTVI undertook another survey to map locations of threatened species and assess the need for further work. Based on this survey, the island requires further, intensive survey to fully assess the range of rare species and the size of their populations. Protection must be given to this area of botanical wealth as Erythrina eggersii is found here. Virgin Gorda Survey focused on Gorda Peak National Park, the hillside east of the park leading toward Little Bay and an initial survey of north-eastern part of Great Hill. All areas of Virgin Gorda with intact forest cover deserve further survey as each time any new area is visited, new records for threatened species are made. Many of these areas deserve formal protection due to the high quality of the dry forest and incredible diversity of species including rare and threatened species. Fallen Jerusalem The single visit to the island focused on collecting data from and redeploying camera traps KB placed on the island to monitor for feral cats and deploying a camera trap and data logger on Vachellia anegadensis. See the daily log entry for 13/02/2017 for more information and maps. Prickly Pear General survey was undertaken across the island on three days to record threatened species and collect available material (e.g. vouchers, seed). Specialised survey was also undertaken for Agave snout weevil infestation and vegetation plot monitoring. The former will be reported following further surveys in 2017 while the latter is reported in Appendix 10: Vegetation Monitoring in Prickly Pear National Park, February 2017. Puerto Rico Further monitoring of Varronia rupicola was undertaken on Puerto Rico in March 2017. Plants in Ponce/Peñuelas continue to suffer drought stress with no signs of recent reproduction or recruitment. Drought conditions in Guánica seem to have lessened in recent months with obvious signs of reproduction since October 2016. Data loggers deployed in Ponce and Guánica were visited to replace batteries and collect readings from each device. Further monitoring of Varronia bellonis was undertaken in and around Maricao and Rio Abajo State Forests in Puerto Rico during March 2017. New areas were surveyed and dozens of previously unrecorded plants were observed (including recent recruitment) and DNA samples were collected for population genetic studies. The species was observed in flower and fruit in Maricao. The majority of new observations were made in the Maricao area; however, the new observations in the Rio Abajo area greatly extended the species extant range (including beyond its historical range) and confirmed recent recruitment in the northern karst. The data loggers previously deployed in Maricao State Forest was visited to replace the battery and collect readings from the device. New data loggers were deployed to capture further micro-climate data near the Maricao Parrot Aviary and within the northern karst in Rio Abajo State Forest and at a private farm (Finca Los Coccolobas) at the newly discovered north-western extent of the species range. These new data loggers were deployed set to 40

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 record every hour from 00:00:01 on 11/03/2017 for KEWPR05 and 16/03/2017 for KEWPR06 and KEWPR07. Other data loggers were processed as reported above. A project steering group meeting was held at the USFWS office in Cabo Rojo following a project update presentation and Q&A session. See Appendix 11: Varronia bellonis survey and collecting, March 2017 for more information. The USFWS CEFSO, SJ and UPR herbaria collections were consulted and new voucher data digitised.

41


Appendix 1: PRVI February-March 2017 field visit itinerary BVI Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday

Date 30/01/2017 31/01/2017 01/02/2017 02/02/2017 03/02/2017 04/02/2017

Activity Travel IX Caribbean Biodiversity Congress IX Caribbean Biodiversity Congress IX Caribbean Biodiversity Congress Travel; Ferry to Anegada for fieldwork (15:30) Fieldwork on Anegada

05/02/2017 Fieldwork on Anegada; Travel Travel to Tortola (AM); Supplies and 06/02/2017 equipment 07/02/2017 Fieldwork on Great Thatch

Workshop preparations; Seed store/ex-situ Wednesday 08/02/2017 stock-check

Martin to PR Martin to BVI; Collect field gear JRONBG Camera traps & data loggers - Middle Cay

Overnight Location DR DR DR DR Anegada; DR Anegada; DR

Camera traps & data loggers - East End; Sara & Michele to PR; Tom to BVI

Anegada; PR; Tortola

Sara & Michele to BVI

Tortola Tortola

Notes Tom to DR

Prepare for workshop; Stock-check ex-situ collections; Colin to BVI

Tortola

Thursday

TIPAs mini-workshop @ JRONBG (focus on 09/02/2017 Anegada)

Reserve Fishlock Hall; Order lunches

Tortola

Friday Saturday Sunday

TIPAs interpretation & planning meeting @ 10/02/2017 JRONBG; Ferry to VG 11/02/2017 Fieldwork on Virgin Gorda (inc. GPNP) 12/02/2017 REST DAY

Reserve Fishlock Hall; Order lunches; Kelly to join team in VG Camera traps & data loggers - GPNP Visit VG National Parks

Virgin Gorda Virgin Gorda Virgin Gorda

Monday

Fieldwork on Fallen Jerusalem (FJNP); 13/02/2017 Fieldwork on Virgin Gorda

Camera traps & data loggers - FJNP

Virgin Gorda

Tuesday

Fieldwork on Prickly Pear (PPNP); Meetings 14/02/2017 with BVI Government

Camera traps & data loggers - PPNP; CC to Tortola

Virgin Gorda

Camera traps -PPNP; Chris & Rose to BVI; Tom departs for UK

Virgin Gorda; Tortola

Wednesday 15/02/2017 Fieldwork on Prickly Pear (PPNP)

42

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Activity

Notes

Overnight Location

Day

Date

Thursday Friday

Ferry to Tortola; Travel; Meetings; Specimens; Chris meets with NPTVI staff; Colin departs 16/02/2017 Fieldwork on Tortola (SMNP & SBNP) for UK; Data loggers - SMNP; SBNP 17/02/2017 Ferry to Anegada for fieldwork (06:45)

Tortola Anegada

Saturday Sunday Monday

Team 1: Fieldwork on Anegada; Team 2: 18/02/2017 Travel to UK 19/02/2017 Fieldwork on Anegada 20/02/2017 Travel to Tortola (AM); Rest time

Anegada Anegada Tortola

Tuesday

Fieldwork on Tortola; Specimens and training 21/02/2017 @ JRONBG and QEII Botanic Park

Marcella to BVI; Chris provides NPTVI staff microscope training

Fieldwork on Prickly Pear; Data cleaning (NH Wednesday 22/02/2017 & SB @ JRONBG)

Tortola Tortola

Thursday

Horticulture, data and specimens @ JRONBG; 23/02/2017 Data cleaning & equipment sorting

Rose departs for UK

Tortola

Friday

Horticulture and Pest activities @ JRONBG; 24/02/2017 Data cleaning & specimen processing

Store Kew group supplies; Chris to provide workshop

Tortola

Saturday Sunday

Reporting; Final specimen processing and 25/02/2017 prepare export documents; Fieldwork SMNP 26/02/2017 REST DAY; Visit NWP home

Prepare CM export documents

Tortola Tortola

Monday

Horticulture activities @ JRONBG; Fieldwork 27/02/2017 on Great Tobago

Sara & Chris depart for UK; Camera traps & data loggers - GTNP

Tortola

Michele and Martin to PR

Tortola

Horticulture and DPLUS activities @ 28/02/2017 JRONBG; Specimen shipping. Horticulture and DPLUS activities @ Wednesday 01/03/2017 JRONBG Horticulture and DPLUS activities @ Thursday 02/03/2017 JRONBG Horticulture and DPLUS activities @ Friday 03/03/2017 JRONBG Saturday 04/03/2017 Reporting Sunday 05/03/2017 REST DAY Tuesday

Tortola Tortola Tortola Tortola Tortola 43

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Day Monday

Date Activity 06/03/2017 Reporting (BVI Holiday) Horticulture and DPLUS activities @ Tuesday 07/03/2017 JRONBG Horticulture and DPLUS activities @ Wednesday 08/03/2017 JRONBG Horticulture and DPLUS activities @ Thursday 09/03/2017 JRONBG Horticulture and DPLUS activities @ Friday 10/03/2017 JRONBG Saturday 11/03/2017 REST DAY Sunday 12/03/2017 Travel

Notes

Overnight Location Tortola Tortola Tortola Tortola

Marcella to UK

Tortola Tortola N/A

44


Puerto Rico Day

Date

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

07/03/2016 MAH collect field gear from SJ; Drive to Ponce 08/03/2016 Reporting and presentation preparation 09/03/2016 V bellonis fieldwork - Maricao V bellonis fieldwork - Maricao; V rupicola fieldwork 10/03/2016 Ponce 11/03/2016 V rupicola fieldwork - Guánica 12/03/2016 Reporting and presentation preparation 13/03/2016 V bellonis meeting - USFWS presentation; drive to Manati 14/03/2016 V bellonis fieldwork - Rio Abajo area 15/03/2016 V bellonis fieldwork - Rio Abajo area 16/03/2016 MAH drive to San Juan (AM); Store fieldgear at SJ (PM) 17/03/2016 Travel 18/03/2016 Travel

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Activity

Notes Meet Rafael Picó Seda- Subsecretario DNER Prepare equipment and collecting supplies

Overnight Location Ponce Ponce Ponce Ponce Ponce Ponce Manati Manati Manati

San Juan MAH to UK 13:10 MAH arrives UK

45


Appendix 2: TIPAs workshop General Information for BVI TIPA Workshop February 2017 The two-year project ‘Identifying and conserving Tropical important Plant Areas (TIPAs) in the British Virgin Islands’ started in April 2016. This project is an international collaboration led by Kew and NPTVI with Government of the Virgin Islands, RSPB and regional partners USFWS, DNER and MAPR. Aims & Background Information The primary aims of this workshop are to 1undertake assessments using the Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) criteria for the identification of new TIPAs on the island of Anegada and 2discuss project plans and implementation during year two. The workshop will take place over two days. Both days will be technical sessions with NPTVI, Kew and BVI Government representatives undertaking identification of TIPAs and discussing project planning and implementation of the TIPAs project in BVI. TIPAs are a network of key sites for wild plants and threatened habitats conservation identified internationally or nationally using the best available scientifically robust data. They are not legal designations, but a means to the most important sites for wild plant diversity and to inform the protection and management of sites. Identifying TIPAs will help prevent the global loss of plant diversity, whilst safeguarding the role of plants as primary producers and providers of ecosystem infrastructure, products and services. It also provides a framework for Governments’ to implement target 5 of the CBD Global Strategy for Plant Conservation - to ensure the protection of at least 75% of the most important areas for plant diversity of each ecological region by 2020 with effective management in place for conserving plants and their genetic diversity. TIPAs also contribute to implementing Aichi Biodiversity Targets 12 - by 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained. The selection criteria for TIPAs focus on (a) representing populations of the most threatened plant species on a global or regional level including those native plants which only occur in one country or region (restricted range endemics); (b) representing sites with exceptional diversity of native plants, which indicate quality habitat and/or a species-rich location; (c) representing the largest, intact areas of threatened and/or extremely restricted natural or semi-natural habitats. The Caribbean is one of the world’s greatest centres of endemic biodiversity due to the region’s geography and climate, and is one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots—Earth’s most biologically rich yet threatened areas; thus an area of international conservation priority. The BVI is part of the Puerto Rican Bank, a biogeographical unit that includes two other countries - Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and a regional collaboration with partner institutions in the region will benefit the collection and dissemination of information and protection of biodiversity across borders. The many threats to the plant diversity in the region, e.g. habitat loss, fragmentation and spread of exotic invasive species, call for action to identify nationally/regionally important wild plants and habitats to inform and improve existing protected areas and key gaps in protection. The identification of TIPAs in BVI will strengthen the country’s knowledge of the status and locations of threatened plant species and habitats and enable sound conservation management decision making. This information will empower the BVI Government, through their statutory agency, The National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands, by providing the vital data they need to evaluate development proposals and other land use changes impacting native biodiversity. 46


BVI TIPAs Workshop Participants Day 1 Name Nancy Pascoe Ronald Massicott Diehdra Potter Natasha Harrigan Keith Grant Kass Penn Sara Barrios Tom Heller Colin Clubbe Martin Hamilton Michele Sanchez Joseph Smith Abbott Angela Burnett Penn Tessa Smith Apologies: Lynda Varlack

Organisation NPTVI NPTVI NPTVI NPTVI NPTVI NPTVI Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Ministry of Natural Resources Ministry of Natural Resources Ministry of Natural Resources

Day 2 Name Organisation Lynda Varlack NPTVI Nancy Pascoe NPTVI Diehdra Potter NPTVI Ronald Massicott NPTVI Natasha Harrigan NPTVI Keith Grant NPTVI Kass Penn NPTVI Sara Barrios Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Tom Heller Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Colin Clubbe Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Martin Hamilton Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Michele Sanchez Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Joseph Smith Abbott Ministry of Natural Resources Tessa Smith Ministry of Natural Resources Apologies: Angela Burnett Penn

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BVI TIPAs Workshop Day 1 Day 1, 09 February 2017, focused on identifying TIPAs on the island of Anegada. Drs Colin Clubbe and Martin Hamilton acted as facilitators with technical support from Dr Michele Sanchez and input from all in attendance. The day began with a brief refresher to the TIPAs process and criteria before discussions turned to data sources and data limitations for plant species and habitats. The remainder of the day was spent identifying TIPAs for the island of Anegada before a final plenary session was held (see below). General notes from Day 1  NWP: TIPAs will link with updating the BVI systems plan. Revision to start late 2017-early 2018. It will help to identify terrestrial areas of importance, as previous plan had a stronger focus on marine environments. 

CC: No agreed regional red list for Caribbean so criteria A(ii) cannot be applied at the moment

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CC: Criterias A(iii) and A(iv) could be used in the context of emerging threatened species that don’t qualify as CR, EN or VU or not evaluated yet.

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CC: B(ii) needs a list of high conservation importance species (would also include LC, NT and restricted range species). MAH: take into account species important for ecosystem services or food source, etc.

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CC: B(iii) – culturally valuable spp. NWP and TS: guava berry common in BVI and extensively used. KG: people also collect Loquat. CC: could also look at important historical tree specimens for example. Enclosures for nice specimens could be an alternative. Contact Arona Forbes from Agriculture Dept.

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CC: suggests putting together a list of important plants for BVI for publication

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MAH and NWP: suggests using important plant lists for recommendations for landscaping in new developments, Arbour Day, etc.

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CC: No global or regional list of habitats, so cannot use C(i) and C(ii). In the future could use IUCN assessments for ecosystems. Could apply criteria C(iii). NWP: National beach vegetation could apply to this criteria as it is highly threatened by new developments. MAH: Pomato point on Anegada is a good example of severe recent decline.

Notes from Anegada TIPAs assessments  TS: National physical development plan. TIPAs data can be useful and applied to the development of the plan. JSA: interesting to investigate if data can be integrated to informing ESI or highlight environmentally sensitive biodiversity areas. 

JSA: the Bill- section on biodiversity and conservation; need to determine level of threat and importance and what means to declare an environmentally sensitive species (ESS) and how to treat the species (management options). Layers of information into GIS to inform environmentally sensitive units (economic, uses and services); possibility of an accessible tool to users. Data could be integrated to Planning Act or Protected Areas Act. 48

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 

NWP and ABP: need some protection of the data so people don’t start removing species or bulldozing if that could hinder development on their land. Important awareness information in a positive way to highlight good side of having these plants. KAG: is there possibility of some incentives to promote keeping the land. SB and KAG: Also include school programmes into environmental awareness. ABP, TS and MDS: highlight environmental impacts (soil erosion, water retention, etc) and ecosystem services to get message across or think about incentives/legislation. DP: emphasis on getting message through schools; break down the message to target audiences and make them feel part of the process.

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CC: could incorporate principles of conservation management and ecotourism to designated TIPAs

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MDS and NWP: good to document during TIPAs process, if known, any important genetic pools for specific globally and nationally threatened plants in criteria A

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MAH: suggested a BVI plant list for raising plant profile and raising awareness, ecotourism

Technical assessment of criteria for Anegada Whole island approach for Anegada TIPAs  Criteria A(i) Species with >1% global population:  Metastelma anegadense  Vachellia anegadensis  Senna polyphylla var. neglecta  Varronia rupicola o Species with >5% national population  Leptocereus quadricostatus  Sabal causiarum  Argythamnia stahlii (possibly 1%)  Mitracarpus spp. (noting taxonomic issues)  Guaiacum officinale Criteria B(i) o





  

o

Could possibly qualify for mangroves and limestone dry forest, and

o

Evergreen coastal shrubland (>10% national resource), but we lack defined habitats

Criteria B(ii) o Should qualify once we have finalsied national list for 3% OR o Be one of the 15 richest sites, but we need to undertake prioritisation Criteria B(iii) o not enough data Criteria C(i) and C(ii) o no available lists cannot use this criteria Criteria C(iii) o nationally threatened >10% national resource fragmented and in decline habitats of concern: mangroves, coastal evergreen forest and limestone dry forest 49

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Potentially sensitive areas Identifying particular areas on Anegada was discussed and data explored. Important plants widely distributed across the island. Breaking into smaller units not recommencded as the data support whole island as TIPA. List of species of potential conservation concern: NWP: suggests including all PR bank endemics. CC: great idea; can justify list as particular concern about these species but need robust data to keep them on or take them off. SB: also list species that the habitat is threatened so even though they are more widespread their numbers can decline quickly. MAH: list of species exists but requires review. Species for Anegada that are not globally threatened are Malpighia woodburyana, Stigmaphyllon floribundum, Psychillis macconnelliae, Tolumnia prionochila and Polygala hecatantha.

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BVI TIPAs Workshop Day 2 Day 2, 10 February 2017, focused on developing and installing project interpretation; developing and producing identification guides; and project planning. Drs Michele Sanchez and Martin Hamilton will act as facilitators with technical support from Tom Heller and input from all in attendance. The day began with discussions about the interpretation panels produced to date and their installation at different locations in existing National Parks. The group then discussed the development and production of identification guides before moving on to discussions about the second year of the project, particularly survey required and future workshops before a final plenary session. General notes from Day 2 The country is officially called Virgin Islands. Further interpretation and outputs needs to reflect this name. Interpretation panels Two A1 Panels for JRONBG will remain at the garden for immediate location discussion and deployment. Two A1 posters (one of each type) to remain in Fishlock Hall for visitors to see. All other panels and posters will go to NPTVI main office for future location discussion and deployment. A walking tour of the gardens was undertaken to explore interpretation panel locations. The group agreed that the “Plants of the BVI” panel should be installed adjacent to the main path leading from the gift shop to the rain forest at the junction with the native plants garden path. The “understanding plant labels” panel should be installed adjacent to the “Plants of the BVI” panel, in front of Vachellia anegadensis. The “Ex-situ Conservation” panel should be installed adjacent to the nursery along the main path leading from the fern house to the pergola walk. Identification guides TMH to circulate list of species names for use in the ID guides so group can agree common names to use or those species that lack common names and we will not have a common name. NPTVI want text to be as accessible as possible. Combining into one guide with colour coded pages was agreed as a good way forward. Ask RH Dr Pickering to write forward for the guide. Project planning Core areas identified and agree with NPTVI and PR partners in June 2016 were:             

Salt Island (S & E need further survey) Scrub Island (Permission from resort – Natasha has info) Dead Chest Island (Firing range, must get permission) Norman Island (NW particularly, Permission should be sought from Jarecki) Peter Island (particularly south side, NWP knows manager) Ginger Island (permission needed from new owner) Cooper Island (different land owners, Israel has contacts) Beef Island (S & E sides particularly) Prickly Pear Nt. Park Great Tobago Nt. Park Guana Island (permission and transport through manager) Jost van Dyke (North side, especially subdivision areas) Little JVD (E side) 51

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13   

Mosquito (permission needed) The Dogs (West Dog (NP), George Dog (private), Seal Dogs (Crown)) Virgin Gorda (North Sound particularly Great Hill; below dump to the west, NW point, S side Oil Nut Bay)  Great Thatch (especially west and east ends)  Eustatia (no access so far, find out name of environmental officer) These areas require survey in 2017 to enable TIPAs assessments for the volcanic islands. Current trip (February 2017) will enable survey on Great Thatch, Prickly Pear, Great Tobago & Virgin Gorda. For year 2 (2017-2018), three trips suggested for June 2017, September/October 2017 and February 2018. We will finish gap filling before October 2017 and undertake final assessments. Draft TIPAs report and maps by January 2018. Finalise TIPAs report and maps by February 2018. BVI TIPAs launch and regional workshop February 2018. Workshop participants will be invited from Puerto Rico, USVI, Cayman, Anguilla, Montserrat, TCI and Bermuda. TIPAs workshop is planned for October 2017. Possibly complete workshop in three days. The trip may include fieldwork if gap filling is still required. Mervin Hastings should be contacted to recommend a Conservation and Fisheries representative. Dillan Penn from Town Planning should be contacted to see if he wants to attend. We need to identify declining habitats and agree list of priority conservation species. Decline data may be available from Liana Jarecki and Shannon Gore for mangroves, salt ponds and beaches. Notes from the Final Plenary Session CC led recap of Anegada TIPAs assessment. Possibly 5 distinct TIPAs could have been identified to cover the globally threatened species; however, those data available resulted in the identification of a single, island-wide, TIPA. CC reported that the TIPAs criteria have been accepted for publication in the journal, Conservation Biology. JSA commented that the TIPAs assessments along with IUCN Red List assessments can feed into the national prioritisation process and the new national legislation. These assessments could assist in identifying ESAs and ESSs under the new national legislation. MAH recapped the need to establish priority species lists broken into criteria for addition to the list (e.g. globally threatened species, nationally threatened species [includes restricted range species], faunal food sources and habitat, ecosystem services [erosion control, nurse plants, coastal protection, etc.], cultural/economic/social species).

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BVI Beacon Article

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Appendix 3: Introduction to biosecurity and invasive plant pests workshop Trainer: Dr Chris Malumphy, Fera Scientific Ltd, York, UK Location: Fishlock Hall, J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens, Tortola Date: Friday 24 February 2017

Workshop sessions Morning session (10:00 to 12:30) Introductions and roles and responsibilities (each participant to outline their role and experience with plant pests) Introduction to biosecurity and exercise Introduction to main invertebrate plant pests Lunch (12:30 to 13:30) Afternoon session (13:30 to 15:30) Future plant health threats Collecting and submitting samples for identification

Workshop attendees: Department of Agriculture Shari'a Romney Denzil Daniel Bharrat Persaud Westley Braithwaite Ruel Fahie Michelle Brewley

NPTVI Nancy Pascoe Keith Grant Natasha Harrigan Kass Penn Bienvenido Friday Ghanshun “Gannie” Harry

Kew Marcella Corcoran Sara Barrios Dr Michele Sanchez (AM only) Dr Martin Hamilton (Introductions only)

Workshop presentations The four workshop presentations are available for download here. The files are: Kew Feb-Mar 2017 Appendix 3 supplemental 0. Fera Biosecurity Workshop Programme.pdf Kew Feb-Mar 2017 Appendix 3 supplemental 1. Fera Introduction to PH Biosecurity.pdf Kew Feb-Mar 2017 Appendix 3 supplemental 2. Fera Introduction to Invertebrate Plant Pests.pdf Kew Feb-Mar 2017 Appendix 3 supplemental 3. Fera Potential PH threats to BVI.pdf

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Appendix 4: Preliminary report on invasive alien arthropod species that present a plant health risk in the British Virgin Islands Prepared by: Dr Chris Malumphy

Summary A preliminary report on invasive alien plant-feeding arthropods detected in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) between 16th and 26th February 2017 is presented, based on approximately 260+ samples and observations made by staff from Fera Science (Fera), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew) and the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI). Only about one third of the samples have been processed but they were triaged so that the species suspected of being harmful were identified first. The report contains brief biological notes and photographs of 40 plant pests recorded in the BVI. The arthropod species that pose the greatest potential environmental risk (of the pests recorded during February) in the BVI include: Agave snout weevil Scyphophorus acupunctatus found in Anegada, Great Thatch, Great Tobago, Prickly Pear Island and Tortola, causing the extirpation (local extinction) of Agave missionum; a Felt scale Acanthococcus sp. (awaiting determination) found in Prickly Pear Island, causing dieback and some mortality of Croton astroites and C. flavens; Lobate scale Paratachardina pseudolobata found in Tortola on Calyptranthes kiaerskovii and Cestrum nocturnum; Croton scale Phalacrococcus howertoni found in Tortola causing severe damage to Codiaeum variegatum; Lesser snow scale Pinnaspis strachani found in Anegada, Prickly Pear Island and Tortola on many native and exotic plants, which has been associated with mortality of Varronia rupicola; Citrus orthezid Praelongorthezia praelonga found in Tortola on many native and exotic plants; a plant sucker Euphalerus sp. (possibly native), found in Anegada, Prickly Pear Island and Tortola, associated with necrosis and leaf loss of Piscidia carthagenensis. The arthropod species that pose the greatest potential economic risk in the BVI include: Tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci found in Tortola on Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, this is one of the world’s most important agricultural and horticultural pests due to its ability to vector more than 100 plant pathogenic viruses; Solanum whitefly Aleurotrachelus trachoides found in Tortola on Solanum lycopersicum and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis which is a pest of peppers and tomato; Papaya whitefly Trialeurodes variabilis found in Tortola on Carica papaya which is a pest of cassava and papaya; Ixora whitefly Asiothrixus antidesmae found in Tortola damaging Ixora spp., which is a pest of ornamental plants; Red palm mite Raoiella indica found in Anegada on Cocos nucifera which is a pest of palms; Coconut scale Aspidiotus destructor found in Tortola causing severe chlorosis to palms. Arthropod species that are currently having a social impact in the BVI include: suspect fire ant ?Solenopsis sp. (awaiting identification) found in a public park in Tortola, which causes a very painful sting and if unmanaged could make parts of the park practically unusable; White cedar thrips Holopothrips tabebuia found to be widespread in Tortola causing serious deformation of the new growth of Tabebuia spp., including T. heterophylla which is the Territorial Tree and Territorial Flower of BVI; the catastrophic reduction in numbers of Agave missionum due to the agave snout weevil which has resulted in the loss of the tradition of decorating agave flower stalks to use as ‘Christmas trees’.

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Introduction Invasive alien species are considered to be one of the biggest threats to biodiversity worldwide. They damage natural ecosystems, and threaten the survival of native wildlife through competition, predation and the spread of diseases. Small islands support a significant proportion of the world’s biodiversity but often have less resilience to invasive alien species than larger land masses. The BVI are the easternmost group of islands that form the Puerto Rican Bank, an archipelago in the Caribbean which also includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The BVI is one of five United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) located in the Caribbean. As such, Kew have been collaborating with NPTVI and other local partners since 1989 with a focus on assessing the extinction risk for native plant species and mitigating against the main threats. Between 16th and 26th February 2017 the author joined staff from Kew and NPTVI to assess the status of the plant Corita Agave missionum Trel. (Asparagaceae) in BVI. Corita is facing extirpation in most areas of the Puerto Rican Bank where the species is endemic since the arrival of the highly invasive agave snout weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal. The opportunity was also taken whilst visiting BVI to make a general collection/record of suspected invasive alien plant-feeding arthropods. The preliminary results of the surveys of alien arthropod species are presented in this report. Although this report has a single author there were several people, most from Kew, who contributed to this study. Only about a third of the samples have been processed and identified to date (17 March 2017). However, the samples were triaged in order to first identify the species most likely to pose the greatest plant health risk in the BVI. These results represent a ‘snapshot in time’ as the samples were collected during a brief period in the dry season and some invasive alien species may have been overlooked as they were not active during the collecting period. For example, relatively few moth and butterfly (Lepidoptera) species were recorded which may have been due to the adults and caterpillars being active later in the year during the rainy season (April to November). There appears to be no previously published records for the majority of the species listed below being present in BVI. This does not necessarily imply that they are recent introductions, as many of these insects may have simply been overlooked in the past. Most of the insects recorded here are scale insects and whiteflies which are cryptic and difficult to identify.

Methods Visual surveys by the author, staff from Kew (Dr Martin Hamilton, Dr Michele Sanchez, Sara Barrios, Marcella Corcoran and Dr Rosemary Newton) and Kelly Bradley of the Fort Worth Zoo, for Agave missionum and invasive alien arthropod species were undertaken in Anegada (17-19 February), Tortola (21st February) and Prickly Pear Island (22 February); attempts to visit Great Tobago were postponed due to dangerous sea swell. Sage Mountain National Park, Tortola, was visited on the 25th February. Arthropod specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol in small glass or plastic vials, sealed with parafilm, and returned to the Fera laboratory in the UK, where they were examined, slide mounted or pinned as appropriate, and identified. Voucher specimens are deposited at Fera. The majority of photographs presented in this report were taken in the field in BVI; many of the macro-photographs were taken at Fera.

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Results Approximately 260+ arthropods were recorded in association with plants on five islands: Anegada, Beef Island, Prickly Pear Island, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Approximately 60 arthropod taxa were recorded, although this number may increase once all the samples have been processed. At least 40 species (details below) are alien introductions. Invasive Alien Arthropod Species in the British Virgin Islands Class Arachnida Order Trombidiformes Family Tenuipalpidae 1. Raoiella indica Hirst – Red palm mite (Figs 1-2) Native to the Middle East and Asia, introduced to the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico in 2006) and Florida, USA; oligophagous on palms; a pest of several important ornamental and fruit-producing palm species. Found in Anegada on Cocos nucifera. Many of the coconut palms at the collection site exhibited considerable chlorosis but it is not known if red palm mite was the cause. Class Insecta - Insects Order Coleoptera – Beetles Family Cucurlionidae - Weevils 2. Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal – Agave snout weevil (Figs 3-8) Scyphophorus acupunctatus is the most important pest of Agave crops (e.g. tequila, henequen and sisal) and wild Agave species worldwide. It is native to Mexico but has spread with trade to almost all areas of the World, most notably in Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and South America, wherever Agave occur. The weevil is suspected to have been introduced to the BVI in the 1990s. The adult and larvae bore holes in the plants which facilitates the entry of micro-organism causing decomposition of plant tissues. Mortality occurs before the plants can flower so there is a rapid reduction in recruitment and population size. The majority of Agave missionum plants observed in Anegada, Prickly Pear Island and Tortola during February were dead and most exhibited symptoms of attack by S. acupunctatus. The weevil has caused a major collapse in the A. missionum populations across the BVI and threatens its existence in many areas. This is likely to have a negative impact on biodiversity due to the removal of a major source of nectar for birds and insects.

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Fig. 1 Raoiella indica adult and juvenile on Cocos nucifera in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 2 Raoiella indica adult and juvenile on Cocos nucifera in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 3 Scyphophorus acupunctatus adult, lateral view, collected in Tortola © Fera

Fig. 4 Scyphophorus acupunctatus adult, front view of head © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 5 Scyphophorus acupunctatus hiding at base of Agave missionum leaves © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 6 Agave missionum with wound in central spike made by S, acupunctatus © C. Malumphy

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Fig. 7 Agave missionum with tunnel in central spike made by adult S. acupunctatus © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 8 Dead Agave missionum plant, killed by S. acupunctatus in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 9 Aleurocanthus woglumi and ?Aleurothrixus floccosus on Mangifera indica in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 10 Close up of Aleurocanthus woglumi puparia and eggs © Fera

Fig. 11 Aleurodicus pulvinatus on Cocos nucifera in Virgin Gorda © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 12 Close up of a Aleurodicus pulvinatus puparium on Coccoloba, Antigua © Chris Malumphy

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Fig. 13 Aleurotrachelus trachoides on Solanum lycopersicum in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 14 Close up of Aleurotrachelus trachoides puparia © Fera

Fig. 15 Asiothrixus antidesmae on Ixora in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 16 Ixora plant in Tortola covered in sooty mould growing on honeydew egested by Asiothrixus antidesmae © Chris Malumphy

Order Hemiptera – True bugs Family Aleyrodidae – Whiteflies 3. Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashmead – citrus blackfly (Figs 9-10) An Asian species, now widespread in tropical and subtropical areas; polyphagous, feeding on plants assigned to 37 families, showing a preference for Rutaceae; a serious pest of Citrus spp. Found in Tortola on Mangifera indica. 4. Aleurodicus pulvinatus (Maskell) – Coconut whitefly (Figs 11-12) Widespread in the Neotropics; polyphagous; an economic pest of coconut. Found in Prickly Pear, Tortola and Virgin Gorda on Cocos nucifera and Coccoloba uvifera. 5. Aleurotrachelus trachoides Back – Solanum whitefly (Figs 13-14) Solanum whitefly is native to the Neotropical region, and has spread to Africa, Asia and the Pacific. It is a polyphagous species with a preference for Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae. It is an increasingly important pest of pepper in the Caribbean. Found in Tortola on Stachytarpheta jamaicensis and Solanum lycopersicum.

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 6. Asiothrixus antidesmae (Takahashi) – Ixora whitefly (Figs 15-16) Native to Asia, spread to the Pacific and the Caribbean. In the Caribbean it has been recorded from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico and Saint Lucia. It feeds on host plants assigned to eight families and is a pest of Ixora. Found in Tortola on Ixora coccinea. 7. Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) complex – Tobacco whitefly (Figs 17-18) Tobacco whitefly is one of the most economically important agricultural and horticultural pests in the World, due in part to its adaptability, extreme host plant range and capacity to vector more than a 110 plant pathogenic viruses. It has many common names including Tobacco whitefly, Silver leaf whitefly and Sweet potato whitefly. It is not a single species but a complex of many morpho-cryptic taxa that are only distinguishable at the molecular level and the taxonomy has not yet been resolved. This is significant as different ‘biotypes’ or ‘species’ within the complex vary in biological characteristics such as host preferences, ability to vector viruses and pesticide resistance. It presents a serious plant health risk in BVI, particularly of vegetable crops such as tomato and melon. This is because of the risk of transmission of viruses such as Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV). It was collected in Tortola on Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. 8. Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead) – Citrus whitefly (Figs 19-20) Native to Asia but is now found throughout the warmer parts of the world. In the Caribbean it has been recorded from the Bahamas, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, although it is probably much more widespread. It is broadly polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 30+ families, with a strong preference for citrus. It is an important economic pest of citrus in many parts of the World. Found in Tortola on Citrus limon. 9. Dialeurodes schefflerae Hodges & Dooley – Schefflera whitefly (Figs 21-22) Asian in origin, introduced to Florida (USA), Hawaii (USA), and Puerto Rico; feeds on Schefflera spp. (Araliaceae); potential pest of ornamentals including umbrella tree S. actinophylla and dwarf umbrella tree S. arboricola. It was collected in Tortola on S. arboricola. 10. Minutaleyrodes minuta (Singh) – Minute whitefly (Figs23-24) This species is native to Asia and has been introduced to parts of South America, North America, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Indian Ocean. In the Caribbean it has been recorded from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Saint Lucia. It is polyphagous feeding on plants assigned to five families: Fagaceae; Myrtaceae; Oleaceae; Rubiaceae; and Rutaceae. Found in Tortola on Ixora spp. 11. Singhiella simplex (Singh) – Ficus whitefly (Figs 25-26) 62

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 An Asian species that has been introduced to North and South America, the Caribbean and Mediterranean. It feeds exclusively on Ficus on which it is an occasional pest. Found in Tortola on Ficus benjamina and F. microcarpa. 12. Trialeurodes variabilis Quaintance – Papaya whitefly (Figs 27-28) Papaya whitefly is widely distributed in the Americas from the USA to Brazil and is an important pest of cassava and papaya. It was collected in Tortola on papaya. Family Psyllidae – Plant suckers or Jumping Plant lice (Figs 29-32) 13. Euphalerus sp. Two Piscidia-feeding species, Euphalerus nidifex Schwarz and E. antillensis Caldwell, have been recorded from the Puerto Rican Bank and it is not clear if this is a native or introduced to BVI. Found in Anegada, Prickly Pear Island and Tortola on Piscidia carthagenensis, associated with necrosis and leaf loss. Family Coccidae – Soft Scales 14. Ceroplastes rubens Maskell – red or pink wax scale (Figs 33-34) Asian in origin, now occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific; polyphagous, feeding on plants assigned to 80+ families. Found in Tortola on Calyptranthes kiaerskovii, Eugenia biflora, Ixora coccinea and undetermined Rubiaceae.

Fig. 17 Bemisia tabaci puparium on Stachytarpheta jamaicensis in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 18 Bemisia tabaci pupal case on S. jamaicensis in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

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Fig. 19 Dialeurodes citri adults in Montenegro © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 20 Close up of a Dialeurodes citri puparium © Fera

Fig. 21 Dialeurodes schefflerae puparium on Schefflera in Antigua © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 22 Dialeurodes schefflerae pupal case on Schefflera in Antigua © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 23 Minutaleyrodes minutus on Ixora in Antigua © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 24 Minutaleyrodes minutus puparia © Fera

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Fig. 25 Singhiella simplex on Ficus microcarpa in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig 26 Close up of Singhiella simplex puparium © Fera

Fig. 27 Trialeurodes variabilis on Carica papaya in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 28 Close up of the Trialeurodes variabilis on Carica papaya © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 29 Euphalerus sp. on Piscidia carthagenensis in Anegada, associated with leaf necrosis © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 30 Euphalerus sp. on Piscidia carthagenensis – immatures are protected by a waxy ‘nest’ © Chris Malumphy

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Fig. 31 Close up of the Euphalerus sp. ‘nest’ © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 32 Euphalerus sp. nymph with wax cover removed © Chris Malumphy

15. Ceroplastes stellifer (Westwood) – stellate scale (Figs 35-36) Occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, restricted to indoor plantings in cooler temperate regions; polyphagous, recorded feeding on plants belonging to 23 families, shows a preference for palms; an occasional pest of ornamental plants. It is widespread in Tortola on Ixora spp., Schefflera arboricola, Mangifera indica and Rubiaceae. 16. Coccus viridis (Green) – green coffee scale (Figs 37-38) Occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, restricted to indoor plantings in cooler temperate regions; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to at least 62 families, with a preference for Rubiaceae and Rutaceae; a major pest of many crop and ornamental plants in the Caribbean. It was found in Tortola, Cane Garden Bay on Ixora spp. 17. Milviscutulus mangiferae (Green) – mango shield scale (Figs 39-40) Occurs throughout the tropics and subtropics; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 42 families, including many crop and ornamental plants. Found on Mangifera indica in Tortola. 18. Phalacrococcus howertoni Hodges & Hodgson – Croton scale (Figs 41-45) Occurs in Florida (USA), Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Guatemala. It is polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 14 families, including several woody fruit crops, ornamentals and native plants. It is a devastating pest of croton Codiaeum and has been found feeding on many native plant species in Florida and the Cayman Islands. It was collected in Tortola causing serious damage to Codiaeum. 19. Saissetia sp. (Awaiting determination) (Fig. 46) There are two introduced species of Saissetia commonly found in the Caribbean region and both are polyphagous pests. 66

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Found in Tortola on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Family Diaspididae – Armoured Scales 20. Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead) – oriental scale (Figs 47-48) Occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific; polyphagous, recorded feeding on plants belonging to 74 families; serious pest of many agricultural crops and ornamental plants. Found in Anegada and Tortola on Arecaceae, Cocos nucifera and Musa. 21. Aspidiotus destructor Signoret – Coconut or transparent scale (Figs 49-50) Cosmopolitan, restricted to indoor plantings in cooler temperate regions; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 71 families; a pest of coconut, banana, mango and many ornamentals, particularly palms. Found in Tortola on Arecaceae causing significant chlorosis to the foliage.

Fig. 33 Ceroplastes rubens on Rubiaceae in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 34 Close up of Ceroplastes rubens on Rubiaceae in Tortola © Fera

Fig. 35 Ceroplastes stellifer on Schefflera arboricola in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 36 Close up of the Ceroplastes stellifer scale cover © Fera

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Fig. 37 Coccus viridis on Citrus limon in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 38 Close up of Coccus viridis © Fera

Fig. 39 Close up of the Milviscutulus mangiferae on Schefflera in Antigua © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 40 Close up of the Milviscutulus mangiferae on Schefflera in Antigua © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 41 Phalacrococcus howertoni female scales on Codiaeum in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 42 Phalacrococcus howertoni male scales on Codiaeum in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

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Fig. 43 Codiaeum plant losing leaves due to large infestation of Phalacrococcus howertoni in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 44 Codiaeum plant, black with sooty mould growing on honey dew egested by a large infestation of Phalacrococcus howertoni in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 45 Phalacrococcus howertoni bright green teneral adult females on Codiaeum in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 46 Saissetia sp. teneral adult female on Hibiscus in Tortola © Chris Malumphy 22. Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeus) – Florida red scale (Figs 51-52) Apparently Asian in origin, now cosmopolitan; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 77 families; major pest of several crop and many ornamental plants. Found in Tortola on Citrus. 23. Duplachionaspis divergens (Green) (Figs 53-54) An Asian species that has spread widely in the tropics; oligophagous on grasses (Poaceae); a minor pest of sugarcane and lemon grass. 69

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Found in Tortola on lemon grass Cymbopogon citratus. 24. Gymnaspis aechmeae Newstead – Flyspeck scale (Figs 55-56) Occurs widely in the tropics and feeds on bromeliads. Often overlooked as it resembles insect frass. Found in Tortola on an unidentified bromeliad, causing chlorotic spotting. 25. Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley) – lesser snow scale (Figs 57-58) Cosmopolitan, restricted to indoor plantings in cooler temperate regions; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 84 families; a serious pest of many crops and ornamentals. Found on Agave missionum, Croton flavens, Colubrina arborescens, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Leucophyllum frutescens, Murraya paniculata, Piscidia carthagenensis and Varronia rupicola in Anegada, Prickly Pear Island and Tortola; this species has previously been associated with mortality of Varronia rupicola. 26. Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Cooley) – false oleander scale (Figs 59-60) Occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Pacific; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 78 families; a serious pest of many woody ornamental plants. Found in Beef Island on a palm. 27. Selenaspidus articulatus (Morgan) – rufous scale Native to southern Africa, now occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 50 families; a pest of citrus and other crops. Found in Tortola on Musa. Family Eriococcidae – Felt scales 28. Acanthococcus sp. (Figs 63-66) Enormous populations of a felt scale were observed causing dieback and some mortality of Croton astroites and C. flavens in Prickly Pear Island. This is the first record of an Eriococcidae from the Puerto Rican Bank. The felt scale in Tortola is morphologically closest to the uncertain eriococcin Acanthococcus dubius (Cockerell), although this species is morphologically highly variable and can be difficult to identify. It occurs in southern North America to northern parts of South America and Cuba; it is polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 11 families.

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Fig. 47 Aonidiella orientalis on Cocos nucifera in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 48 Close up of the Aonidiella orientalis scale cover © Fera

Fig. 49 Aspidiotus destructor cuasing severe chlorosis to Arecaceae in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 50 Close up of the Aspidiotus destructor scale cover © Fera

Fig. 51 Chrysomphalus aonidum on Citrus limon in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 52 Close up of the Chrysomphalus aonidum scale cover © Fera

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Fig. 53 Duplachionaspis divergens on Cymbopogon citratus in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 54 Close up of Duplachionaspis divergens scale cover © Fera

Fig. 55 Gymnaspis aechmeae on a bromeliad in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 56 Close up of Gymnaspis aechmeae on a bromeliad © Fera

Fig. 57 Huge population of Pinnaspis strachani on Hibiscus tiliaceus in Tortola causing die back © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 58 Large population of Pinnaspis strachani causing leaf loss and die back to Murraya paniculata in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

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Fig. 59 Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli on Nerium oleander in Gran Canaria © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 60 Close up of Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli scale cover © Fera

Fig. 61 Selenaspidus articulatus on Musa in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 62 Close up of the Selenaspidus articulatus scale cover © Fera

Family Kerriidae – Lac scales 1. Paratachardina pseudolobata Kondo & Gullan – lobate lac scale (Figs 67-68) Suspected to be native to Asia, introduced to the Indian Ocean, North America, and the Caribbean; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 69 families; a pest of many ornamental plants and abundant in natural habitats. Found in Tortola on Calyptranthes kiaerskovii and Cestrum nocturnum. Family Monophlebidae – Giant scales 2. Crypticerya genistae (Hempel) (Figs 69-70) Occurs in the USA (Florida), Brazil, Guadeloupe and Saint Lucia, and introduced to West Africa; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 19 families, with a strong preference for Asteraceae and Fabaceae, and to a lesser degree Euphorbiaceae. It was found in Anegada and Virgin Gorda on Croton discolour, Corchorus hirsutus, Delonix regia, Euphorbia mesembryanthemifolia, Pectis linifolia and unidentified plants. 3. Icerya purchasi Maskell – cottony cushion scale (71-72) Cosmopolitan; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 69 families; a major pest of many ornamental plants. 73

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Found in Tortola on Senna polyphylla. Family Ortheziidae – Ensign Scales (Figs 73-74) 4. Praelongorthezia praelonga (Douglas) – Citrus Orthezia The citrus orthezia is native to the Neotropical region and during the last decade has become much more widespread and common and has been introduced to Africa. It is a highly polyphagous feeding on plants belonging to 50+ families. Found in Tortola on Bastardiopsis eggersii, Bougainvillea, Coccoloba uvifera, Colubrina arborescens, Ixora coccina, Ixora sp., Pilea sanctae-crucis, Pisonia subcordata, Poitea florida, and Schefflera arboricola. Family Pseudococcidae – Mealybugs 5. Antonina graminis Maskell – Rhodes grass scale Asian in origin, this mealybug is now widespread in tropical and subtropical areas feeding on grasses. It was found in Anegada on undetermined grasses. 6. Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) – pink hibiscus mealybug (Figs 77-78) Native to Asia, this highly invasive mealybug now occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Africa, Australia and the Pacific; polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to 78 families, including many crop and ornamental plants; a major economic pest. Found on hibiscus in Tortola, Road Town and Nanny Cay Marina. The majority of specimens observed were parasitized by the highly effective biological control agent Anagyrus kamali.

Fig. 63 Acanthococcus sp. on Croton astroites in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 64 Acanthococcus sp. on Croton astroites in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

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Fig. 65 Close up of the Acanthococcus sp. felt covering (preserved in ethanol) © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 66 Close up of the Acanthococcus sp. immature (preserved in ethanol) © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 67 Paratachardina pseudolobata on Calyptranthes kiaerskovii in Tortola © C. Malumphy

Fig. 68 Paratachardina pseudolobata on Ficus in the Bahamas © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 69 Crypticerya genistae adult females in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 70 Close up of adult Crypticerya genistae with ovisac in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

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Fig.71 Icerya purchasi on Senna polyphylla in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 72 Close up of Icerya purchasi © Fera

Fig. 73 Large infestation of Praelongorthezia praelonga in Tortola causing leaf necrosis and premature leaf fall © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 74 Close up Praelongorthezia praelonga adults and nymphs on Bougainvillea in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 75 Antonina graminis collected from grass in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 76 Close up of adult female Antonina graminis on grass in Gran Canaria © Chris Malumphy

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Fig. 77 Maconellicoccus hirsutus on Hibiscus in Tortola – most were parasitised © Chris Malumphy

Fig 78 Close up of adult female Maconellicoccus hirsutus © Fera

Family Tingidae – Lacebugs 1. ?Corythucha gossypii (Fabricius). – Cotton lacebug (awaiting confirmation) (Figs 79-80) A polyphagous Neotropical species that is a pest of lima beans, papaya, soursop, cotton and Citrus. Found in Anegada on Ipomoea carnea and Zanthoxylum flavum. Order Hymenoptera – Ants, bees and wasps Family Formicidae – ants 2. ?Solenopsis sp. (awaiting identification) (Fig. 81) Stinging ants were collected from the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens, Road Town, Tortola. The most destructive and invasive alien ant species in the US and Caribbean is the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis Invicta, which is already established in several places in Tortola. Order Lepidoptera Family Pyralidae 3. Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg.) – Cactus moth (Figs 82-86) Native to South America, deliberately introduced to many regions of the world for the biological control of invasive Opuntia species, now widespread in the Caribbean and North America where it threatens native Opuntia species. Found in Tortola killing Consolea rubescens. Order Thysanoptera – thrips Family Phlaeothripidae 4. Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) – Cuban laurel thrips (Figs 87-88) Asian in origin, now pantropical, forming leaf galls on Ficus microcarpa. Closely related to G. uzeli.

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Found in Tortola causing large numbers of galls on F. microcarpa. 5. Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimmerman) – Weeping fig thrips (Fig. 89) Asian in origin, now widely present in the Americas and Mediterranean, forming galls on Ficus benjamina. Found in Tortola causing galls on F. benjamina. 6. Holopothrips tabebuia Cabrera & Segarra – White cedar thrips or Tabebuia thrips (Figs 90-91) Neotropical in origin, present in the USA (Florida) and the Puerto Rican Bank, forming galls on Tabebuia spp. and may cause the death of young T. heterophylla plants. Widespread in Tortola causing large numbers of galls on Tabebuia spp..

Fig. 79 ?Corythucha gossypii on Zanthoxylum flavum in Anegada © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 80 Close up of ?Corythucha gossypii on Zanthoxylum flavum in Anegada © Fera

Fig. 81 Soil mound shopwing the location of a nest of suspected Solenopsis sp. in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

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Fig. 82 Consolea rubescens cactus with severe damage by Cactoblastis cactorum in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 83 Consolea rubescens cactus dropping its pads due to feeding damage by Cactoblastis cactorum in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 85 Cactoblastis cactorum caterpillar feeding inside an Consolea rubescens pad in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 84 Close-up of Consolea rubescens pad attacked by Cactoblastis cactorum in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 86 Cactoblastis cactorum feeding inside an Consolea rubescens pad © Chris Malumphy

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Fig. 87 Ficus microcarpa leaf galled by Gynaikothrips ficorum in Tortola; the whitefly Singhiella simplex is also present © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 88 Ficus microcarpa leaf gall dissected open to reveal the eggs and adult female Gynaikothrips ficorum © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 89 Ficus benjamina new growth galled by Gynaikothrips uzeli in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 90 Tabebuia heterophylla new growth severely galled by Holopothrips tabebuia in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

Fig. 91 Tabebuia heterophylla new growth severely galled by Holopothrips tabebuia in Tortola © Chris Malumphy

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Discussion At least 40 potentially invasive alien arthropod species were detected in BVI during a relatively short period in February 2017. Many of these are recorded from BVI for the first time, but most of these plant pests already occur widely in the Caribbean. The majority of these species will not have a major economic, environmental or social impact although if plants are stressed, for example by drought, they will be more susceptible to attack. The alien species that are likely to present the most significant plant health threats in BVI include the following: Environmental risks  Agave snout weevil Scyphophorus acupunctatus is causing the extirpation of Agave missionum in Anegada, Prickly Pear Island and Tortola. This is probably the most important invasive alien arthropod in natural areas of the BVI. 

A Felt scale Acanthococcus sp. (awaiting determination) was found causing dieback and some mortality of Croton astroites and C. flavens in Prickly Pear Island. No Eriococcidae have previously been recorded from the Puerto Rican Bank.

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Lobate scale Paratachardina pseudolobata was found on Calyptranthes kiaerskovii and Cestrum nocturnum in Sage Mountain National Park, Tortola – it is broadly polyphagous and has the potential to attack many native plants.

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Croton scale Phalacrococcus howertoni was found causing severe leaf loss and dieback of Codiaeum variegatum in Tortola – it is broadly polyphagous and has the potential to attack many native plant species, as it has done in Florida, USA and the Cayman Island.

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Lesser snow scale Pinnaspis strachani was found on Agave missionum, Croton flavens, Colubrina arborescens, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Leucophyllum frutescens, Piscidia carthagenensis and Varronia rupicola in Anegada, Prickly Pear Island and Tortola – this species has been associated with mortality of Varronia rupicola. Huge populations were observed causing leaf loss and dieback to Hibiscus tiliaceus and Murraya paniculata.

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Citrus orthezid Praelongorthezia praelonga was found on Bastardiopsis eggersii, Bougainvillea, Coccoloba uvifera, Colubrina arborescens, Ixora coccina, Ixora sp., Pilea sanctae-crucis, Pisonia subcordata, Poitea florida, and Schefflera arboricola. Large populations were observed causing damage to native plant species.

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A plant sucker Euphalerus sp. was found in association with necrosis and leaf loss of Piscidia carthagenensis in Anegada, Prickly Pear Island and Tortola. It is possible that this species is native to the BVI.

Economic risks  Tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci was found on Stachytarpheta jamaicensis in Tortola, it is one of the world’s most important agricultural and horticultural pests due to its ability to vector more than 100 plant pathogenic viruses.

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 

Solanum whitefly Aleurotrachelus trachoides was found on Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis in Tortla and is a pest of Capsicum spp. (peppers) and S. lycopersicum.

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Papaya whitefly Trialeurodes variabilis was found on Carica papaya (papaya) in Tortola and is a pest of Manihot esculenta (cassava) and C. papaya.

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Ixora whitefly Asiothrixus antidesmae was found damaging Ixora spp. in Tortola and is a pest of ornamental plants.

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Red palm mite Raoiella indica was found on Cocos nucifera (Coconut) in Anegada and has the potential to be a major pest of palms.

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Coconut scale Aspidiotus destructor was found causing severe chlorosis to palms in Tortola.

Social risks  Suspected fire ants Solenopsis sp. (awaiting identification) were found in QE II Park, Roadtown, Tortola, which cause a painful sting and if unmanaged could make parts of the park unusable for visitors. 

White cedar thrips Holopothrips tabebuia occurs widely in Tortola damaging the new growth of Tabebuia spp. – Tabebuia heterophylla (White cedar) is the Territorial Tree and Territorial Flower for BVI.

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The catastrophic reduction in numbers of Agave missionum due to the agave snout weevil has resulted in the loss of the traditional use of decorated agave flower stalks as ‘Christmas trees’.

Mitigation for Invasive Alien Species in BVI The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew have been working closely with the NPTVI and other local partners since 1989 with a focus on assessing the extinction risk for native plant species and mitigating against the main threats. This report identified several potential threats to the native flora. Monitoring the impact of invasive alien species to endangered and other high value native plants in BVI will need to continue, and where appropriate, conservation action plans drawn up. Several alien economic pests have also been identified which will assist the Department of Agriculture prepare pest management plans, if agricultural and horticultural production in BVI expands in the future. Invasive alien species that have a social impact, such as the suspect fire ant, will need to be carefully managed (eradicated or controlled) in public areas to reduce their negative impact.

Future plant health threats in BVI There are many other invasive alien plant pests and diseases not present in the BVI, that if introduced could cause serious damage to crops, plants and biodiversity. Examples of major plant threats to BVI in the Caribbean region include: Giant African Land Snail, Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich); Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, a vector of citrus greening or huánglóngbìng which has devastated citrus production in Florida; Sri Lankan weevil Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus Marshall which is damaging native, ornamental, vegetable and fruit species in Florida; Red palm weevil Rhyncophorus 82

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 ferrugineus (Olivier) is a devastating pest of palms; and a range of fruit fly species (Tephritidae). Continued vigilance by the plant protection services (Department of Agriculture and NPTVI) is vital to help prevent the introduction and spread of these and other harmful organisms. Training in areas such as Horizon Scanning, Pest Risk Assessment and Biosecurity for the plant protection services and other stakeholders will help reduce the plant health risks in the BVI.

Acknowledgments The author visited BVI through a Defra funded project entitled ‘Strengthening Biosecurity in the UK Overseas Territories’. The field visit and surveys would not have been possible without the support and generosity of Dr Martin Hamilton, Dr Michele Sanchez, Sara Barrios, Marcella Corcoran and Dr Rosemary Newton from Kew; Nancy Woodfield Pascoe, Natasha Harrigan, Keith Grant and others from the NPTVI and Kelly Bradley of the Fort Worth Zoo. David Ouvrard of the Natural History Museum, London, kindly provided advice on the identity of the psyllid attacking Piscidia. Please direct queries and feedback to: Dr Chris Malumphy Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ Email: [email protected]

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Appendix 5: Twitter feed Storify compilation – BVI TIPAs - February 2017 Prepared by: S. Barrios and M.D. Sanchez

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Appendix 6: Twitter feed Storify compilation – DPLUS030 - February 2017 Prepared by: S. Barrios and M.D. Sanchez

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Appendix 7: BVI February 2017 collections sent to Kew

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Appendix 8: PR March 2017 collections

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Appendix 9: Vegetation Monitoring in Great Tobago National Park, February 2017

Figure 46. Keith Grant and Nancy Pascoe installing corner marker for plot GT03 (Left) and Dr M.A. Hamilton undertaking maintenance around camera trap installed at plot GT03 © Dr M.A. Hamilton.

Figure 47. Magnificent frigate birds (Left) and Brown boobies (Right) nesting near plot GT02 © Dr M.A. Hamilton.

Figure 48. Monitoring success of Aloe vera population control near the ruins (Left) and evidence of camera trap at plot GT02 being used as a bird perch © Dr M.A. Hamilton.

Prepared by: Dr Martin A. Hamilton, Research Leader (UKOTs), UK & Islands Programme, Conservation Science Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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Suggested citation Hamilton, M. A. (2017). Appendix 9: Vegetation Monitoring in the Great Tobago National Park. In: Hamilton, M. A. (ed.), Puerto Rican Bank (British Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico) February-March 2017 fieldwork report. Overseas Fieldwork Committee registration number 559-13, Richmond, Surrey, U.K.: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Overview The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) team at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew) was approached by colleagues from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to provide further assistance in monitoring vegetation pre- and post-goat eradication on Great Tobago. Kew first provided assistance to RSPB, Jost van Dykes Preservation Society (JVDPS) and National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) in 2014 as part of the EU BEST funded project “Conserving Species and Sites of International Importance by the Eradication of Invasive Alien Species in the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories”. The previous activities are described in: Hamilton, M. A. (2014). Vegetation monitoring on Great Tobago, British Virgin Islands; Kew baseline survey findings and recommendations, 31 May 2014. Sandy, UK: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). [Online]. Available at: doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.25418.16324. The activities described here were made possible by the EU BEST funded project [1059] “Securing Pockets of paradise in the Caribbean; embedding capacity for invasive alien species management in UKOT based organisations” awarded to the RSPB. The BEST 2.0 Programme, supported by the European Commission (DG DEVCO) as part of the EU Biodiversity for Life (B4Life) flagship, is administered through the IUCN. The survey and monitoring activities are only focused on “higher” plants; therefore, “lower” plants (i.e. bryophytes) are excluded. The plant taxonomy presented follows the Catalogue of Seed Plants of the West Indies (Acevedo-Rodríguez & Strong, 2007). Kew staff and colleagues from NPTVI undertook one day of field activity on 27 February 2017 to continue vegetation monitoring and invasive species survey activities. Only one day of activity was undertaken due to sea conditions that stopped three attempts to reach the island during the field visit.

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Invasive plant species survey and mapping Besides a quick visual assessment of the success of the trial control of Aloe vera, no other survey or monitoring of invasive species was possible.

Figure 49. Trial control of Aloe vera population near the ruins showed signs of success.

Figure 50. Locations of vegetation monitoring plots established in June 2016 on Great Tobago and invasive species control locations in September 2016.

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Vegetation monitoring plots During the day of field activities, all five vegetation monitoring plots were visited to install corner markers, download data from climate data loggers, swap SD cards in camera traps and swap batteries in both the climate data loggers and camera traps. Corner post markers were installed at all plots except Plot PP02 due to bird nesting in and adjacent to the plot. The author confirmed the location of the plot using a Trimble Juno Series S with MS Windows Embedded Handheld 6 OS running ArcPad 10 software. The cameras selected for the traps (Acorn Camera Ltl-6310M) were processed. Each camera had 12 charged AA lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and a clean 32GB SDHC memory card installed. To prolong battery life, each camera was reconnected to an Acorn Camera Ltl-SUN series solar charger via the supplied USB power cable. The camera lenses and solar panels were cleaned with a lens towel to remove dirt. All cameras were checked to confirm that they were still programmed to only record time lapse images (12MP quality) every four hours after replacing the batteries. The EL-USB-2+ data logger deployed in the immediate area of the plot to record temperature, humidity and dew point was also processed using an EL-DataPad Handheld Programmer and Data Collector. The data loggers were first stopped and the log file was downloaded to the EL-DataPad. Once download was complete, the summary was reviewed to ensure that the data logger had been correctly programmed to record every hour at one second after the hour (e.g. 12:00:01). The data loggers were then redeployed with new batteries installed using the same settings to ensure that all readings across the five devices were recorded at the same time. The author and colleagues visited the five monitoring plots to collect data and install corner markers and boundary lines tied between the corner markers. Corners were initially marked with plastic tent pegs (yellow colour) driven into the soil at the four corners. During the second monitoring visit, it became obvious that corner markers and boundary lines were needed to demarcate the plots more clearly to facilitate further monitoring. The corner markers were established by burying 1’ of a 4’ piece of 2” PVC pipe into the ground, tamping the soil around the pipe, capping the pipe with a 2” PVC cap and building a cairn around the base of the pipe with rocks from the local area outside the plot. The boundary of the plot was established using parachute cord (red colour) tied between each of the four corner markers. To install the boundary line, all overhanging vegetation was pruned to ensure it did not touch or obstruct the parachute cord.

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot GT01 LAT: 18.447518; LONG: 64.825575 ALT: 100m DATE REVISTED: 27 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Open and exposed area with low shrubs on western edge of the central ridge. Within the previously identified Croton flavens dominated shrubland.

Figure 51: Plot GT01 climate date for the period October 2016 to February 2017.

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot GT02 LAT: 18.446470; LONG: -64.823743 ALT: 33m DATE REVISTED: 27 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Steep, east facing hillside. Heavily grazed understorey with sparse trees full of nesting birds. Within the previously identified Seabird colony. Unable to install corner marker due to Brown boobie nesting in and around the monitoring plot.

Figure 52. Plot GT02 climate date for the period October 2016 to February 2017.

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot GT03 LAT: 18.444522; LONG: -64.823538 ALT: 97m DATE REVISTED: 27 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Open and exposed area with low shrubs on eastern edge of the ridge. Adjacent to ruins. Within the previously identified Invasive species hotspot and adjacent to the previously identified Vegetation dominated by Piptocoma antillana.


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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot GT04 LAT: 18.444085; LONG: -64.824110 ALT: 94m DATE REVISTED: 27 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Moderately steep, northwest facing hillside. Heavily grazed understorey with large trees. Within the previously identified Remnant mixed forest.


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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot GT05 LAT: 18.449152; LONG: -64.826162 ALT: 115m DATE REVISTED: 27 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Moderately steep, north facing hillside. Heavily grazed understorey with large trees. Within the previously identified Remnant mixed forest.


Notes, next steps and key recommendations The plot data collected from the five plots established requires further processing to establish the usefulness of the camera trap images for long-term vegetation monitoring. The author still feels very strongly that the NPTVI should fully establish and maintain dedicated trails for accessing the bird colonies and the five vegetation monitoring plots to minimise habitat disturbance and make access easier/safer. Discussions should be held to determine if this is feasible and what route(s) would be most appropriate.

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Appendix 10: Vegetation Monitoring in Prickly Pear National Park, February 2017

Figure 56: Kelly Bradley prepares corner post hole for Plot PP02 (Left); Boundary line installed between the corner markers for Plot PP04 (Right).

Figure 57: Keith Grant prepares corner post hole for Plot PP02 (Left); Dr M.D. Sanchez collects data for a herbarium voucher adjacent to Plot PP02.

Prepared by: Dr Martin A. Hamilton, Research Leader (UKOTs), UK & Islands Programme, Conservation Science Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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Suggested citation Hamilton, M. A. (2017). Appendix 10: Vegetation Monitoring in the Prickly Pear National Park, February 2017. In: Hamilton, M. A. (ed.), Puerto Rican Bank (British Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico) February-March 2017 fieldwork report. Overseas Fieldwork Committee registration number 559-13, Richmond, Surrey, U.K.: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Overview The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) team at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew) was approached by colleagues from the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) to provide assistance in monitoring vegetation pre- and post-goat eradication on Prickly Pear Island. The activities described here were made possible by the Darwin Plus funded project [DPLUS043] “Consolidating local capacity for sustainable restoration in BVI Protected Areas” and synergistic activities funded by the HSBC funded project “Identifying and conserving Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) in the British Virgin Islands” and the Darwin Plus funded project [DPLUS030] “Building systems and capacity to monitor and conserve BVI’s flora”. This survey and on-going monitoring will only focus on “higher” plants; therefore, “lower” plants (i.e. bryophytes) are excluded. The plant taxonomy presented follows the Catalogue of Seed Plants of the West Indies (Acevedo-Rodríguez & Strong, 2007). Feral goat eradication is underway on the island of Prickly Pear. The entire island is one of the National Parks of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), managed by the NPTVI. To enable a long-term monitoring and assessment of the vegetation recovery post-eradication, the author and NPTVI staff undertook the task of setting-up permanent monitoring plots. The project activities will also include survey and mapping of threatened and known invasive plant populations found to be present on Prickly Pear Island to facilitate and guide management actions (e.g. seed collecting from threatened species and invasive species control/eradication). Throughout this process, training will be provided to enable NPTVI staff to monitor vegetation during and following the goat eradication efforts. Kew staff and colleagues from NPTVI planned and undertook three days of field activity in February 2017 to continue vegetation monitoring and invasive species survey activities. Five vegetation monitoring plots previously established were monitored and the majority of the island was surveyed for threatened and invasive species.

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Vegetation monitoring plots In order to monitor changes in the vegetation structure and composition and develop plots consistent with those installed on Great Tobago (see Appendix 9), five permanent monitoring plots were established in either Croton dominated shrubland or Remnant mixed forest in June 2016. During the first two days of field activities, all five vegetation monitoring plots were visited to install corner markers, download data from climate data loggers, swap SD cards in camera traps and swap batteries in both the climate data loggers and camera traps. Corner post markers were installed at all plots. The author confirmed the location of the plots using a Trimble Juno Series S with MS Windows Embedded Handheld 6 OS running ArcPad 10 software. The cameras selected for the traps (Acorn Camera Ltl-6310M) were processed. Each camera had 12 charged AA lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and a clean 32GB SDHC memory card installed. To prolong battery life, each camera was reconnected to an Acorn Camera Ltl-SUN series solar charger via the supplied USB power cable. The camera lenses and solar panels were cleaned with a lens towel to remove dirt. All cameras were checked to confirm that they were still programmed to only record time lapse images (12MP quality) every four hours after replacing the batteries. The EL-USB-2+ data logger deployed in the immediate area of the plot to record temperature, humidity and dew point was also processed using an EL-DataPad Handheld Programmer and Data Collector. The data loggers were first stopped and the log file was downloaded to the EL-DataPad. Once download was complete, the summary was reviewed to ensure that the data logger had been correctly programmed to record every hour at one second after the hour (e.g. 12:00:01). The data loggers were then redeployed with new batteries installed using the same settings to ensure that all readings across the five devices were recorded at the same time. The author and colleagues visited the five monitoring plots to collect data and install corner markers and boundary lines tied between the corner markers. Corners were initially marked with plastic tent pegs (yellow colour) driven into the soil at the four corners. During the second monitoring visit in 2016, it became obvious that corner markers and boundary lines were needed to demarcate the plots more clearly to facilitate further monitoring. The corner markers were established by burying 1’ of a 4’ piece of 2” PVC pipe into the ground, tamping the soil around the pipe, capping the pipe with a 2” PVC cap and building a cairn around the base of the pipe with rocks from the local area outside the plot. The boundary of the plot was established using parachute cord (red colour) tied between each of the four corner markers. To install the boundary line, all overhanging vegetation was pruned to ensure it did not touch or obstruct the parachute cord. During all three days of field activities, members of the field team undertook surveys for populations of threatened and invasive plant species. Voucher and seed collections were made.

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot PP01 LAT: 18.507015; LONG: -64.369405 ALT: 20m DATE REVISTED: 15 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Moderately steep, west facing hillside. Heavily grazed understorey with large trees. Within the previously identified Remnant mixed forest.

spcount 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

uniqueid PP01-1 PP01-2 PP01-3 PP01-4 PP01-5 PP01-6 PP01-7 PP01-8 PP01-9 PP01-10 PP01-11 PP01-12 PP01-13 PP01-14

family Solanaceae Euphorbiaceae Capparaceae Leguminosae Euphorbiaceae Burseraceae Leguminosae Malvaceae Apocynaceae Malvaceae Boraginaceae Malpighiaceae Verbenaceae Malvaceae

species Solanum bahamense L. Jatropha gossypiifolia L. Cynophalla flexuosa (L) J.Presl Pithecellobium unguis-cati (L.) Benth. Croton astroites Dryand. Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. Piscidia carthagenensis Jacq. Ayenia insulicola Cristóbal Rauvolfia viridis Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. Melochia tomentosa L. Bourreria succulenta Jacq. Stigmaphyllon floribundum (DC.) C.E.Anderson Citharexylum spinosum L. Malvaceae sp.

detstatus Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Indet. Field Field Field Field Field Indet.

139

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot PP02 LAT: 18.507641; LONG: -64.369914 ALT: 40m DATE REVISTED: 15 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Fairly level, open and exposed area with low shrubs. Heavily grazed with no large trees. Within the previously identified Croton dominated shrubland.

spcount 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

uniqueid PP02-1 PP02-2 PP02-3 PP02-4 PP02-5 PP02-6 PP02-7

family Euphorbiaceae Malvaceae Molluginaceae Leguminosae Malvaceae Poaceae Solanaceae

species Croton flavens L. Ayenia insulicola Cristóbal Mollugo verticillata L. Leguminosae sp. Corchorus hirsutus L. Poaceae sp. Solanum bahamense L.

detstatus Field Field Field Indet. Indet. Indet. Field

140

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot PP03 LAT: 18.509439; LONG: -64.370027 ALT: 60m DATE REVISTED: 14 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Level area along the central ridge. Heavily grazed understorey with large trees. Within the previously identified Remnant mixed forest.

spcount 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

uniqueid PP03-1 PP03-2 PP03-3 PP03-4 PP03-5 PP03-6 PP03-7 PP03-8 PP03-9 PP03-10 PP03-11 PP03-12 PP03-13

family Solanaceae Vitaceae Leguminosae Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Celastraceae Phyllanthaceae Verbenaceae Capparaceae Malpighiaceae Malpighiaceae Malvaceae Apocynaceae

species Solanum bahamense L. Cissus trifoliata (L.) L. Piscidia carthagenensis Jacq. Croton astroites Dryand. Adelia ricinella L. Schaefferia frutescens Jacq. Flueggea acidoton (L.) G.L.Webster Citharexylum spinosum L. Quadrella cynophallophora (L.) Hutch. Heteropterys purpurea (L.) Kunth Stigmaphyllon floribundum (DC.) C.E.Anderson Malvaceae sp. Plumeria alba L.

detstatus Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Indet. Field

141

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot PP04 LAT: 18.511051; LONG: -64.371398 ALT: 20m DATE REVISTED: 14 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Moderately steep, northeast facing hillside with low shrubs and emergent trees. Moderately grazed understorey. Within the previously identified Remnant mixed forest.

spcount 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

uniqueid PP04-1 PP04-2 PP04-3 PP04-4 PP04-5 PP04-6 PP04-7 PP04-8

family Acanthaceae Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Apocynaceae Capparaceae Celastraceae Leguminosae

species Oplonia spinosa Raf. Croton fishlockii Britton Croton betulinus Vahl Croton astroites Dryand. Plumeria alba L. Quadrella cynophallophora (L.) Hutch. Elaeodendron xylocarpum (Vent.) DC. Pithecellobium unguis-cati (L.) Benth.

detstatus Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field

142

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Plot PP05 LAT: 18.510716; LONG: -64.370929 ALT: 20m DATE REVISTED: 14 February 2017 PLOT NOTES: Moderately steep, north facing hillside. Heavily grazed understorey with large trees. Within the previously identified Remnant mixed forest.

spcount 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

uniqueid PP05-1 PP05-2 PP05-3 PP05-4 PP05-5 PP05-6 PP05-7 PP05-8 PP05-9 PP05-10 PP05-11 PP05-12 PP05-13 PP05-14

family Solanaceae Euphorbiaceae Capparaceae Leguminosae Acanthaceae Leguminosae Sapindaceae Bignoniaceae Celastraceae Euphorbiaceae Boraginaceae Leguminosae Malpighiaceae Apocynaceae

species Solanum bahamense L. Adelia ricinella L. Quadrella cynophallophora (L.) Hutch. Pithecellobium unguis-cati (L.) Benth. Oplonia spinosa Raf. Pictetia aculeata (Vahl) Urb. Serjania lucida Schum. Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G.Lohmann Elaeodendron xylocarpum (Vent.) DC. Croton astroites Dryand. Bourreria succulenta Jacq. Piscidia carthagenensis Jacq. Heteropterys purpurea (L.) Kunth Plumeria alba L.

detstatus Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field Field

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Appendix 11: Varronia bellonis survey and collecting, March 2017 Prepared by: Dr M.A. Hamilton

Figure 58: Omar Monsegur photographs Varronia bellonis growing along a small stream in a previously unrecorded location discovered by Jesus M. Rios (Left) © Dr M.A. Hamilton; Jesus M. Rios and Jong Piel Banchs observe Dr M.A. Hamilton collecting DNA sample from Varronia bellonis © Omar Monsegur.

Figure 59: Jesus M. Rios and Dr Martin Hamilton discussing Varronia bellonis habitat requirements (Left) © Omar Monsegur; Omar Monsegur Jesus M. Rios and Jong Piel Banchs with Varronia bellonis discovered during surveys 10 March 2017 (Right) © Dr M.A. Hamilton.

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Suggested citation Hamilton, M.A., 2017. Appendix 11: Varronia bellonis survey and collecting, March 2017. In M. A. Hamilton, ed. Puerto Rican Bank (British Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico) February-March 2017 fieldwork report. Overseas Fieldwork Committee registration number 559-13. Richmond, Surrey, U.K.: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Acknowledgements Activities reported here are focused on the USFWS funded project [F15AC01225] through the CFDA Program 15.657 “Population status and gene bank development for the endangered species Varronia bellonis” administered by DNER. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivatives 4.0 International License. All images copyright ©Dr M.A. Hamilton unless otherwise noted. 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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Introduction This project is part of on-going regional collaborations with several Puerto Rican collaborators, namely the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Mayagüez Department of Biology Herbarium (MAPR) and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER). The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew) submitted a proposal to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Southeast Region Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office (CESFO) in Boquerón, Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery efforts related to the federally listed, endangered species Varronia bellonis. This proposal was due, in part, to on-going collaborations between Kew’s Dr Martin Hamilton and Puerto Rican counterparts related to the federally listed, threatened species Varronia rupicola. This appendix provides a summary of the activities undertaken from 07 to 18 March 2017 in collaboration with Puerto Rican colleagues under the USFWS funded project [F15AC01225] “Population status and gene bank development for the endangered species Varronia bellonis” administered by DNER. The survey and monitoring activities were specifically focused on the species Varronia bellonis; however, many other plant species of conservation concern were also observed and data/vouchers collected as a result of this project. The plant taxonomy presented follows the Catalogue of Seed Plants of the West Indies (Acevedo-Rodríguez & Strong, 2007) unless otherwise noted. Detailed daily entries that provide the areas visited, participants and specimens collected are available in this field trip report under the section “Daily log”. Images herein are provided to illustrate the contents and demonstrate the work undertaken. Further images and compilations of tweets posted by the team can be viewed as a Twitter moment here and in the section “Twitter Moment - Puerto Rico fieldwork March 2017” of this appendix below. The project team have been working together to undertake field surveys, strengthen collections, identify flora and fauna associated with the species and develop an overall greater understanding of Varronia bellonis in order to inform its conservation. We have been working to gather necessary data and samples to answer key questions about the biogeography, genetics and reproductive biology of Varronia bellonis. Besides field based collecting of samples and biogeographical data, the team have also made observations of macro-morphology and recruitment. Kew staff and colleagues from USFWS and DNER previously undertook collaborative field activity related to delivery of the project in April, July and October 2016. Desk based studies have also been undertaken to gather all available specimen data and literature relating to the species. The activities undertaken during the March 2017 visit and significant findings are described and illustrated in the following sections.

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Notable findings during this field visit Surveys were undertaken in areas with historic records for the species (e.g. in and around Maricao and Rio Abajo State Forests and in Ciales) as well as in areas lacking historic records where recent observations have been made of suitable habitat or living Varronia bellonis plants (e.g. Utuado western side of Maricao State Forest). We extended the range of the species in all directions with new locations recorded in Utuado, Ciales and Maricao. For maps depicting exact locations, view the “Daily log” entries in the main text of the report between 07 and 18 March 2017. Updated maps of the species distribution will be provided in the second year annual report which will cover the period August 2016 to July 2017. DNA samples and seeds were collected during March surveys and material collected by Puerto Rican colleagues since October 2016 were processed and added to the growing gene bank collection stored at the SJ herbarium in San Juan. Initial observations of the species reproductive biology were undertaken and hypotheses formed during surveys in Maricao and Rio Abajo State Forests in October 2016. Further observations undertaken in March 2017 showed that flowering and fruiting can persist through March. We have found that most plants observed challenge the concept of Varronia bellonis being dioecious. Seedlings have been observed from July through to March and are suspected to germinate throughout the year when optimum environmental conditions are experienced. This suggests that the species may produce a viable soil seed bank.

Figure 60: Examples of species reproductive biology observed during surveys in March 2017: Varronia bellonis flowering (Left); fruiting (Middle); and seedling (Right) © Dr M.A. Hamilton.

Initial camera trapping was undertaken in Maricao during December 2016 by Omar Monsegur and the footage shared with the author. The camera traps were deployed to learn more about possible seed dispersers in the wild. Two birds (Nesospingus speculiferus and Loxigilla portoricensis) were observed visiting the plants and appeared to be foraging for fruit. Unfortunately, we continue to identify new threats to the survival of Varronia bellonis such as exotic (Ceroplastes cirripediformis) and native (Petrusa epilepsis) pests attacking the shrub. The eastern boundary of Maricao forest has been impacted by the development of a quarry. Vegetation management around the radio towers within the forest is damaging the species.

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Figure 61: Jong Piel Banchs attaching a flagging tape with the words “DO NOT CUT” to Varronia bellonis plant discovered adjacent to radio tower access road, Maricao State Forest © Dr M.A. Hamilton.

Dr Martin Hamilton provided a project update presentation for interested members of staff from USFWS and DNER in March 2017 at the CESFO office in Boquerón, Puerto Rico. A PDF is available here.

Figure 62: Dr M.A. Hamilton provides a Varronia bellonis project update presentation for USFWS and DNER staff at the CESFO office in Cabo Rojo © Dr Omar Monsegur.

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Next steps and recommendations The fortunate fact that many new plants were discovered by Jesus M. Rios, Jong Piel Banchs and Omar Monsegur since October 2016 that required sampling coupled with the difficult terrain and often nearly impenetrable vegetation has severely constrained the overall amount of area that could be surveyed to date. Specifically, no surveys have been undertaken in Susúa State Forest. This will need to be a focus area for further visits in 2017. We will also need to continue field surveys for the species to ensure that all historic localities have been surveyed as well as areas with suitable habitat. This is a daunting task!

Figure 63: Huge expanse of suitable habitat for Varronia bellonis in Maricao State Forest © Dr M.A. Hamilton

Further work is needed to broaden the scope of the species reproductive biology work and include camera trapping for pollinators.The steering committee agreed further steps during the March 2017 meeting held at CESFO in Cabo Rojo. Further field and lab based work is required to fully understand the species reproductive biology. It is likely that the species is heterostylous and exhibits certain proportions of the population with functionally female flowers as the stamens are infertile. This is a condition that the author is also studying in the related species, Varronia rupicola. Further work is needed to determine the identity of several insect pest species and the impact they are having on Varronia bellonis. Samples and images have been sent to Dr Chris Malumphy at Fera Science in the UK.

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Twitter Moment - Puerto Rico fieldwork March 2017

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Appendix 12: Summary of DPLUS030 activities Prepared by: Marcella Corcoran and Dr M.A. Hamilton Edited by: Dr M.A. Hamilton

Overview As part of an integrated conservation strategy, development of genetically diverse ex-situ collections is one way to help secure the future of BVI plant species. The overall aim of the horticultural activities is to grow threatened species to support conservation, community engagement and future restoration efforts. A range of different training was delivered to NPTVI staff members who are responsible for maintaining ex-situ collections and work across the BVI National Parks. Training included field collection, propagation, watering, repotting, pruning, nursery management and record keeping. Cumulatively, the programme was designed to provide the necessary introduction to NPTVI staff working in the JRONBG to manage and maintain a living plant collection of BVI endemic and native plants. The project leader, Dr M.A. Hamilton, led the development of the training schedule which was agreed by the project team. Training delivery was overseen by botanical horticulturist, Marcella Corcoran, of the Kew UKOTs team. Training was specifically focused on Natasha Harrigan with other NPTVI staff joining training sessions where appropriate. The Kew and NPTVI teams worked together to share horticultural knowledge, improve nursery management and plant cultivation while securing native species in ex-situ conservation collections at the JRONBG. Kew staff worked together with NPTVI staff to reinforce previous training topics and provide assistance for daily activities in the nursery, especially for preparation of the upcoming flower show. Training was delivered to NPTVI staff members who are responsible for maintaining native plant collections ex-situ, monitoring native plants in-situ and maintaining the J.R. O’Neal Botanical Garden living collections. The team jointly implemented an agreed daily routine (see next section) to ensure that all areas of work (within and external to the nursery) are covered and plant health is maintained at the highest possible level. The team also developed an annual schedule to provide better planning. The following sections provide evidence of the topics covered in training, the trainees, some suggested routines and best practise for nursery work and numbers of species/replicates propagated by seed and cuttings during the workshop. TMH and NH discussed the seed collections stored at JRONBG and agreed developed a workflow for dealing with existing and new collections that included accessioning of the material. The Brahms database that has been deployed as part of the DPLUS030 project will deal with data management, but the workflow agreed will continue to be used to track collections being processed at JRONBG. New specimens and seed collections were added to the collections of the JRONBG. Of particular note are live accessions of the threatened plants Erythrina eggersii, Calyptranthes thomasiana and C. kiaerskovii. Progress has been made around the gardens to address some of the pruning, pest and general maintenance issues within the capability of the existing staff. This has been a direct result of the garden supervision being taken over by KAG. 162


JRONBG Native Plant Nursery Routine

JR O'Neal Botanical Garden - Native Plant Nursery Daily Routine Version 1.0 TIME

Monday

Tuesday (Field day)

08:30-9:30

Check plants for watering and check seed trays as well as misting unit. Water as required. List jobs that need to be done for the week in the nursery.

Check plants for watering and check seed trays as well as misting unit. Water those as required.

Check plants for watering and check seed trays as well as misting unit. Water those as required.

09:30-10:00 10:00-10:15

Check emails Break

Check emails Break

Check emails Break

10:15-11:00

Check plants for water in arbour day area/native garden/orchid house as required

11:00-12:00

Nursery area work continued including: repotting, checking for pest and diseases, pruning, weeding, label writing, pot cleaning, mixing up medium

Denise to water plants in the nursery (or Ronnie if Denise away). If Natasha is not on a field trip to continue schedule as stated for Monday

Wednesday



Thursday (Field day)

Denise to water plants in the nursery (or Ronnie if Denise away). If Natasha is not on a field trip to continue schedule as stated for Monday

Friday



163


LUNCH BREAK

12:00-13:00 TIME

Monday

Tuesday (Field day)

13:00-13:30

Check nursery plants for watering



13:30-15:00

Botanical centre work: including data cleaning, checking on drying seeds and vouchers. Continue with nursery work if completed.



15:30-16:00

Check watering in nursery and prepare for field work

Denise (or Ronnie if she is away) to check nursery plants for watering if required.

Wednesday

Check watering in nursery and prepare for field work

Thursday (Field day)

Denise (or Ronnie if she is away) to check nursery plants for watering if required.

Friday

Check watering and water where necessary (keeping in mind 2 days) in nursery for weekend

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Horticultural Training March 2017 Summary This Darwin Project - DPLUS030: Building systems and capacity to monitor and conserve BVI’s flora has succeeded in achieving newly gained skills by key members of staff working with the NPTVI at JRONBG. The horticultural element of the project has produced many plants growing in ex-situ conservation collections through training of staff who; have worked towards gaining these skills over the two years of this project. Staff training undertaken, in particular with NH (the leader in this work), but not exclusively, as all garden staff have been involved in the horticultural workshops; has succeeded in establishing many new species in ex-situ collections. This has strengthened the team’s ability to support conservation through growing threatened species. This latest fieldtrip saw the team even more confident in the daily routine of monitoring, watering and growing the threatened species. The importance of moving plants to next stages of growth is understood well e.g. pricking out, potting on and planting into the JRONBG native plant beds. Each day monitoring plants for pest and disease has been carried out and remedied where needed, immediately by NH. From the commencement of the project propagation by cuttings has been approx. 13% success from all cuttings taken throughout the two years. This takes into account the steep learning curve for the JRONBG team and NH in particular to achieve successful rooting of each species. Overall many of the target species and populations have been secured in cultivated and established in ex-situ conservation collections in the Native Plant Nursery. Propagation carried out during this visit began to germinate and cuttings to root, showing the confidence and ability in the team to grow these species successfully. Skills gained will be continuously used to make additional collections in the wild for materials to propagation any threatened species not yet successfully grown, as well as to build on the numbers already in cultivation. Headline numbers for the visit are:  106 plants established and accessioned  117 seedling and cuttings currently establishing  11 species of seed sown  8 sets of native species cuttings taken Training sessions - topics covered and content MARC and NH worked together daily and training activities were tailored to each activity required as part of the agreed daily routine. Potting on  Evaluate why the plant needs repotting (Consider roots growing out of pot or roots crowded in pot, mix at incorrect level or plant requires new/different mix)  Select appropriate size of pot (Consider pots available, clean if required, bigger but not too big; as it will not dry out regularly enough, possible to make consistent with other pots?)  Ensure bench is clean. Select appropriate new mix for plant and prepare on bench.  Place plant label somewhere safe 165

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13      

Push plant out of pot gently, tease root if required, but do not disturb too much especially if roots are damaged (e.g. rotting) Find nursery line on the plant (where the plant was previously planted too) and identify soil level on pot (base of pot lip if present) Firm medium into base of pot, spread out roots and fill mix into pot, firm gently around the inside of pot without putting pressure on the roots Check nursery level on plant is correct as well as soil level on pot Push in label or write one if required Water in plant – completely drench (unless roots are rotting, if so leave a day until watering).

Taking cuttings  Check bench is clean and sterile. Ensure equipment is prepared- pots with mix inside (tapped gently to firm rather than pressed- we used pure perlite or ‘pro-mix’), labels written in advance if possible. Plant hormone in a dish if required. Secateurs (or knife if preferred)  Take material out bag and check for pests and disease, (soak in SB invigorator or very dilute bleach if necessary to clean)  Find material suitable for cutting (dependent on plant)  Cut bottom leaves off and cut to smaller size the few leaves (generally 2-5) left at top.  Do bottom cut last to reduce drying out at root point, cut below a node diagonal down away from node. Dip into hormone and flick to remove excess (if powder is used)  Place into mix if wet or jar of water if mix is dry (placing all cuttings at once into mix and pot straight into tray of water to soak up.  Cuttings into pot should go around edge of pot at a slight angle (to provide support for cutting, avoid soaking at bottom node and provide ease for potting on) Ensure labelled.  Sterilise secateurs/knife between changes of material and regularly clear green waste.  Once pots are wet through place into zip-lock bag or misting unit.  Check cuttings regularly to ensure humidity is high enough (generally about 70-80%) Seed sowing  Ensure bench is clean and materials are sourced- seed sowing mix (a fine medium such as sieved general potting mix with sand)  Fills pots of seed trays/cells and firm in soil. Soak trays/pots in water.  Prepare labels and records  Sow seed according to size of seed; follow germination protocol (need stratification, etc.?)  Cover seed in pot and add a light layer (1mm) of sieved mix on top  Add label and leave in covered, protected area  Check seed trays/pot regularly to ensure they are not too dry/getting too wet Key recommendations for the J.R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens The new nursery structure (a long awaited positive upgrade) is expected to start after the Garden Festival on the 26th March 2017. This could have a very positive impact on the daily operations and wise use of resources. To assist, NH has developed an annual schedule (see the section Annual Schedule below) that will greatly assist most of the following suggestions and give a generous amount 166

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 of lead-in time for specific annual activities as well as events like bookings in Fishlock Hall, group tours and talks at the gardens or in Sage Mountain Nation Park and cover for staff absences. The annual schedule hopefully will help to keep supplies in the gardens ready to use, so no chance of running out of media, fertilisers etc. when they are needed. Once a quarter supply checks can be carried out and an order put in for anything running low, using the annual schedule as a reminder tool for doing this. All plants in the nursery will benefit from a fertilizer regime. This can be done in two ways (liquid fertilizer or slow release depending on the need and urgency) and is evenly spread through the annual schedule so to keep it in the forefront of nursery works. Once native seedlings and cuttings have establish into their first potting event, accession them into the collections. Move these establishing plants together as they develop to keep track of important routine jobs. It is not always possible but very useful to have a good stock of cleaned and sterilised pots ready to go when there is a large amount of potting-on to do. It may be worth considering getting help from other staff and/or volunteers to do this during times when their own work is less. The new signs will assist in keeping clean and dirty pots separate, seeing clearly the numbers of pots available to use immediately. The zip lock bags for propagation of cuttings can be re-used once washed and sterilised. It is critical to always change the collector number for correct information on the front of the bag. It will save time and confusion when doing stock checking. Cuttings which are put into plastic Ziploc bags need to remain sealed and airtight to succeed. There should be no need to open and water them if they are sealed closed except when there is leaf drop or bacteria that needs to be cleared out of bag. Once roots appear at the bottom of the pot it is the time to open the bag and assess the root system. If robust enough, pot them individually. 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 JRONBG [Suggested name: Raymond Walker Botanical Centre] o Install shelving for storage in main room o Install modern locking mechanism for door facing Botanic Station road o Install screen over windows to deter pests from entering the building 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

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Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 

o o o

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) Install rock circles around each plant and do not allow raw wood mulch inside the circle to stop fungal growth and pest attack Remove weeds and seedling trees from beds Thin plantings and remove weeds and seedling trees that have volunteered in surrounding beds

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 20-30 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 pots setting on ground weekly to stop roots growing into gravel  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 containers (large bulk containers setting on the ground and small “in use” containers on the potting bench) Staff support for Natasha  Curator who can to advise and mentor the staff in the gardens and in particular for NH.  Assistance for routine jobs such as pot washing, raking, picking out dead leaves and cleaning benches; perhaps seed cleaning (depending on species), cleaning plant labels and all the various support jobs needed every day.  Create Propagation request forms for garden and parks staff to give plenty of notice and numbers needed to the Native Plant nursery 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 168

Hamilton (editor) (2017). Puerto Rican Bank Feb-March 2017 OFC 559-13 Annual Schedule TASKS and EVENTS

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

GENERAL NURSERY DUTIES (watering, Pest and Disease, propagation: cuttings and seed; Data collection and Brahms) GENERAL FIELDWORK ACTIVITIES (collecintg seed, cutting material and data to process all back at Nursery) PREPARATION FOR Garden Festival at end of March FINALIZE PREPARATIONS FOR FLOWER SHOW- prepare displays, demonstrations and signs for plants SUMMER STUDENTS BEGIN PREPARATIONS FOR ARBOUR DAY-sourcing and sowing seeds PREPARATIONS FOR ARBOUR DAY- sowing seeds, potting on seedlings; fertilisinfg the established plants FINALIZE PREPARATIONS FOR ARBOUR DAY- plant counts, plant sale, plant distribution to schools Fertilise with slow release granuals Fertilise with Liquid feed Order supplies for Nursery any other routine events or tasks any other routine events or tasks Annual leave time approx.

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MONTH JANUARY

TASKS FOR MONTH Prepare for Garden Festival - preparing cuttings, sow seed and process any ready to prick out or pot on

Prepare for Garden Festival - Pricking out FEBRUARY seedlings and potting on cuttings

MARCH

Finalise Preparations for Garden Festival preparing order of plants on tables, demonstrations and signs for plants GENERAL NURSERY DUTIES AND FIELD ACTIVITIES

APRIL

1st week

JUNE

Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms.

Take extra cuttings from garden plants and pot on those already rooted. Fertilise all established plants. Fertilise all established plants. Preparing order of plants on tables, demonstrations and signs for plants. Check and order any supplies needed for the nursery. Fertilise all established plants.preparing cuttings for Garden stock

Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms.

Fertilise all established plants. preparing Apply slow realease fertiliser cuttings for Garden stock

Fertilise all established plants. Pot on all rooted cuttings. Fertilise all established plants. preparing cuttings for Garden stock

Fertilise all established plants. preparing cuttings for Garden stock GENERAL NURSERY DUTIES AND FIELD ACTIVITIES/ Fertilise all established plants. and accomodating summer students

BEGIN PREPARATIONS FOR ARBOUR DAY-sourcing Fertilise all established plants. and sowing seeds/ and accomodating summer students PREPARATIONS FOR ARBOUR DAY- sowing seeds Fertilise all established plants. AUGUST and potting on seedlings/ and accomodating summer students PREPARATIONS FOR ARBOUR DAY- sowing seeds Fertilise all established plants. SEPTEMBER and potting on seedlings PREPARATIONS FOR ARBOUR DAY-potting plants on further and fertilizing

Fertilise all established plants.

FINALIZE PREPARATIONS FOR ARBOUR DAY- plant Fertilise all established plants. NOVEMBER counts, plant sale, plant distribution to schools PREPARATION FOR Garden Festival- prepare DECEMBER cuttings, sow seed

4th week

Fertilise all established plants. Pricking out seedlings seed.

JULY

OCTOBER

3rd weeks

Check and order any supplies needed for Apply slow realease fertiliser. Process Native the nursery. Take cuttings from garden plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) plants. Fertilise all established plants. Updateing records and Brahms.

GENERAL NURSERY DUTIES AND FIELD ACTIVITIES MAY

2nd week

Fertilise all established plants. Process Native plants (pricking out, Sow annual seed and take more potting on acessioning) Updateing cuttings records and Brahms.

Fertilise all established plants. preparing cuttings for Garden Show

Fertilise all established plants.

Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms.Holidays ?? Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms.

Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms.

Check and order any supplies needed for Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on the nursery. Fertilise all established acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. plants. Fertilise all established plants. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Fertilise all established plants.

Apply slow realease fertiliser. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. Check and order any supplies needed for Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on the nursery. Fertilise all established acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. plants. Fertilise all established plants. Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms.preparing cuttings for Garden Show Take cuttings from garden plants for Process Native plants (pricking out, potting on perlite bed. Fertilise all established acessioning) Updateing records and Brahms. plants. preparing cuttings for Garden Show. Holidays???

Natasha: Add holidays, roughly the months; so you have lead in time to show other staff what to do in the nursery when you are awy (maybe they can work with you for a few days before?)

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