Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 3.S.1.

2 Coastal Species - Plants Cocoplum

Rev: 19 March 2012

MAT COTTAM

Cocoplum Chrysobalanus icaco L. Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Malpighiales, Family: Chrysobalanaceae Genus: Chrysobalanus, Species: icaco Chrysobalanus is a genus of about three species, only one of which is found in the Cayman Islands (Proctor 2009). Cocoplum Chrysobalanus icaco is to be found throughout the West Indies, and Florida, Mexico and northern South America. It is present on all three Cayman Islands. Status Distribution: Throughout the West Indies. Conservation: Critically endangered CR A3bc+4bc (The Red List, Burton 2008a). Legal: Cocoplum Chrysobalanus icaco currently has no legal protection in the Cayman Islands. Pending legislation, it would be protected under the National Conservation Law (Schedule II). The Department of Environment would be the lead body for legal protection.
For Reference and Acknowledgement: Cottam, M., Olynik, J., Blumenthal, J., Godbeer, K.D., Gibb, J., Bothwell, J., Burton, F.J., Bradley, P.E., Band, A., Austin, T., Bush, P., Johnson, B.J., Hurlston, L., Bishop, L., McCoy, C., Parsons, G., Kirkconnell, J., Halford, S. and Ebanks-Petrie, G. (2009). Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009. Cayman Islands Government. Department of Environment. Final Formatting and production by John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation.

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Natural History Typically a shrub or small tree up to 3m (9ft) in height. Cocoplum favours coastal areas and sandy thickets. Cocoplum displays long, thin arching branches, with shiny, waxy leaves, and large, fleshy, edible fruit. The attractive natural form of Cocoplum, coupled with its conservation status and capacity for artificial propagation, make this a highly significant species for coastal shrubland restoration and hardy, salt-tolerant landscaping projects. Associated Habitats and Species for Cocoplum ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.S.4 Invasive Coastal Plants 2.S.5 Coastal Shrubland Current Factors Affecting Cocoplum Habitat loss: clearance of coastal shrubland for development has contributed to a critical reduction in habitat for this otherwise common species. Invasive species: potential for reestablishment of native flora is limited by aggressive exotic colonisers in coastal areas, particularly Weeping willow Casuarina equisetifolia, Colubrina asiatica, Wild tamarind Leucaena leucocephala and Beach naupaka Scaevola sericea. Landscaping potential: ease of cultivation from seed, lush waxy green foliage, attractive form and fruits, coupled with extreme tolerance of salty and sandy conditions make Cocoplum suitable for landscaping, especially coastal restoration. Opportunities and Current Local Action for Cocoplum Cocoplum has been successfully propagated from seed, and sold by the Native Tree Nursery. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Cocoplum OBJECTIVES 1. Reverse population decline of Chrysobalanus icaco and raise Red List status by at least one category, from critically endangered. 2. Preserve in situ populations of Chrysobalanus icaco. 3. Develop inter-situ cultivation and conservation programme for Chrysobalanus icaco. TARGET 2015 2015 2012 ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Broadleaf Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis Tea Banker Pectis caymanensis Inkberry Scaevola plumieri

Cocoplum PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law. PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Protect Chrysobalanus icaco under Schedule II of the National Conservation Law, through establishment of conservation regulations. PL4. Develop and implement importation ban on Scaevola sericea. PL5. Promote amendment of the Planning Law, to facilitate rapid imposition of stop-orders on illegal developments and provide a responsive and effective enforcement mechanism.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3 1,2 1,2,3 1,2,3

CIG DoE DoE DoE DoA HMC DoP

DoE CIG CIG QEIIBP CIG LCN DoE CIG

2006 2006 2006 2010

2010

1,2

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Cocoplum PROPOSED ACTION PL6. Enforce provisions under the National Conservation Law to support Planning Legislation and reduce incidents of illegal sand mining. PL7. Strengthen the Development Plan on Grand Cayman, incorporating a long-term vision for the environmental, social, and economic development of the Islands. PL8. Promote establishment of a Development Plan for the Sister Islands, incorporating a long-term vision for the environmental, social, and economic development of the Islands. SM1. Establish local conservation propagation programme and introduce Chrysobalanus icaco to private gardens and landscaping schemes through the Native Tree Nursery.

LEAD DoE DoP DoP CPA DoP DCB

PARTNERS CIG CIG MP DoE CIG MP DoE

TARGET 2008 ongoing

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2 1,2

ongoing

1,2

Safeguards & Management QEIIBP DoE RBGK 2008 1,3

SM1. REPORT: Native Tree Nursery opens to public, Feb 2009. Chrysobalanus icaco sold from Native Tree Nursery, 2008. SM1. REPORT: (2012) Native Tree Nursery operations temporarily suspended. Sales insufficient to cover running costs. SM2. Active planting in conjunction with eradication of invasive flora from key areas, commencing with protected areas e.g. Barkers and Heritage Beach. SM3. Implement associated HAPs. Advisory A1. Promote use of native plants in landscaping, through maintenance of existing vegetation and use of Recommended Planting Palette in new developments. A2. Recommend importation / landscaping ban on invasive flora, including Scaevola sericea. A3. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. A3. REPORT: Extensive public outreach Mar-Sept 2010. Research & Monitoring RM1. Monitor and assist the reestablishment of Chrysobalanus icaco in protected areas. RM2. Reassess IUCN Red List status of Chrysobalanus icaco locally. DoE DoE DoE DoP NT QEIIBP CIG 2015 2015 1,2,3 1 DoP DoE DoA DoE DoE LCN CIG NT 2009 2009 2006 1,2,3 1,2 1,2,3 DoE DoE DoA DoRPC NT 2014 2015 1,2 1,2,3

Communication & Publicity CP1. Raise public awareness of the value of native landscaping, and promote the use of Chrysobalanus icaco. CP2. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. CP6. Raise public awareness of invasive species, and promote the Natural Heritage of the Cayman Islands. MP CN GC OS SB LCN DoE DoT NT MP QEIIBP DoT CIG NT MP QEIIBP 2010 1,2,3

2010

1,2,3

DoE

ongoing

1,2,3

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REFERENCES and FURTHER READING for Cocoplum

Burton, F. (2007). Wild Trees in the Cayman Islands (2nd edition). International Reptile Conservation Foundation, USA. ISBN 978-1-4276-2168-9 Burton, F.J. (2008a). Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands: The Red List. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew: Richmond, Surrey UK. Burton, F.J. (2008b). Vegetation Classification for the Cayman Islands. In: Threatened Plants of the Cayman Islands: The Red List. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew: Richmond, Surrey UK. Proctor, G.R. (1984). Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Bulletin Additional Series XI. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Her Majestys Stationary Office. London. ISBN 0-11-242548-8. Proctor, G.R. (2012) Flora of the Cayman Islands. Kew Publishing. 736 pp. ISBN: 9781842464038 Sauer, J.D. (1982). Cayman Island seashore vegetation: A study in comparative biogeography. Geography, 25:1-137. University of California.

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