Musa corneri

Within the extent of occurrence for the species, about 40% of forest cover has been lost between 2001–2018 with commodity-driven deforestation identified as the dominant driver of this loss. Large tracts of land within the known extent of occurrence are covered by rubber and palm oil plantations, with a palm oil mill in operation near Damak (GFW 2019). It should be noted though, that the specific impact of deforestation on members of the Musa genus is somewhat difficult to quantify: while clear-felling or land conversion is likely to be detrimental to the species, wild bananas spring up in transient, often man-made, habitats and thus may benefit from human disturbance to some extent (Simmonds 1962). Very little is known about the habitat and ecological preferences of M. corneri so it is difficult to infer the level of tolerance the species displays towards disturbed habitat. Research into the threats affecting the species, as well as its ecological requirements, is required.

The genus Musa is listed in Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) which aims to guarantee sustainable agriculture and food security through the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, as well as ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use (FAO 2009). The species is not known from any protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2019). A few plants are conserved ex situ at the Suriana Garden in Penang under the AdanA Plant Conservation project (K. Meekiong pers. comm. 2021); it is not known to be conserved ex situ elsewhere (Ruas et al. 2017, BGCI 2019, Genesys Global Portal on Plant Genetic Resources 2019).