Marantochloa alba

Within the Monts de Cristal, Marantochloa alba is threatened by hydroelectric projects and logging. Indeed, nine occurrences are expected to disappear in the near future because they are located within the construction site of a planned hydro-electric project or within the projected inundated area. Indeed, deforestation for the construction of infrastructures is already ongoing. The species is also threatened by logging and road infrastructure in the area of Ndjolé, which induces a decline in the quality of the habitat.

Marantochloa alba is known from one protected area: the Monts de Cristal National Park in Gabon. The species is subject to ex situ conservation as part of the Biodiversity Action Plan of a hydroelectric dam project. Indeed, 49 individuals have been cultivated within the project nursery with a current survival rate of 92%.

Since the species is threatened by hydroelectric dam projects, small-scale agriculture, road infrastructures and logging, various conservation measures should be considered. First, it should be sought in other places, to increase knowledge of its full distribution. Second, it should be regarded as an HCV1 species (High Conservation Value), and as a consequence should be included in the management plan of the industrial concessions within which it occurs. Finally, a public awareness campaign must be conducted targeting industrial companies and other private actors, NGOs, scientific institutions, and the government of Gabon to ensure that M. alba is taken into consideration when decisions are made that could impact its conservation.