Biodiversität und Erhalt der Hochlagenvegetation der Insel Fogo (Kap Verde)

Abstract

The presented PhD thesis „Biodiversity and Conservation of the Vegetation of the High Altitudes of the Island of Fogo (Cape Verde): Elaboration of a Concept for a Protected Area“ was elaborated within the bounds of a grant from the Tropical Ecology Support Program (TÖB)-GTZ. During the investigations of almost 4 years on Fogo several long term vegetation control plots were established, 165 phytosociological analysis and various field studies were conducted in order to analyse the typical composition of the highland vegetation, its degree of degradation as well as its capacity for regeneration. As the basis for the daily life is increasingly threatened by pressure on the natural vegetation of which only remnants are still found in the higher regions of the island, the participatory analysis of this situation and the planning for the future presented an important aspect for the elaboration of a sustainable concept proposal for the protected area. <br /> Typical plant communities could be identified and described for the area of investigation, new distribution maps for many endemic character species could be elaborated, which present an important basis for the recommendation on conservation and management/action.<br /> Research has shown, that the degree of degradation of the area surveyed gives reason for concern. Almost 40% of the area is extremely strong to medium-strong degraded. The four year survey of the improvement of the vegetation showed that the regeneration capacity is very low; thus in none of the surveyed areas any increase in species number could be witnessed. Furthermore, the survival rate of the seedlings was extremely low. Of the 32 endemic angiosperm species of the area 50% (16 taxa) are classified as endangered, some of them as critically endangered. Estimation of the population sizes of the most threatened species revealed in part very small population sizes, many with tendency for further decline. <br /> On the other hand the experimental cultivation of different endemic species in nurseries and the experimental plantation of those species, have given good results. As the area presents one of the biodiversity centres of Cape Verde and as the area is also from aspects of its scenery and the cultural aspects of its resident population one of the most valuable areas of the Cape Verde, its declaration as a Natural Park was initiated. It is proposed to establish a Natural Park of about 66 km², based on the concept that it should consider urgently needed conservation aspects, as much as the human needs. Through the involvement of those affected among the population, a sustainable management of the resources should be achieved. The presented recommendations for sustainable conservation of the biodiversity, as well as those for the creation of alternatives, are based on the participatory appraisal.