Research Team :Dr. James Amponsah, Dr. Prosper Mensah, Mr. Christian Opoku-Kwarteng, Prof. Daniel Ofori, Ms Patience Mansa, Mrs. Sandra Owusu

Donor: Botanic Garden Conservation International

Collaborating Institution(s):

Duration: 2019 - 2024

Status: 

Background: 

Aubregrinia taiensis occurs in Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire. When this project began, very little was known about the species’ distribution, population status or phenology and no conservation actions were in place. Since 2019, FORIG and CSRS have been working collaboratively to build up a better understanding of this species, the causes of threat and its conservation needs. Key successes have been the discovery of new individuals, propagation experiments from cuttings and seed (though cuttings have proved challenging), improved in situ protection through community monitoring, and establishment of the first ex-situ living genebank of this species, that will act as a future seed source. Due to its sporadic distribution, survey work for this species is challenging and time consuming. It is also easily confused with another species; the tree is extremely tall so monitoring for flowers and seed is challenging and expert botanists are essential for these survey efforts.