Musa johnsii

It should be noted that the species is not currently thought to be under major threat; the impacts of any threats in action at present are considered to be negligible. Mt. Jaya represents a popular trekking route and it is suspected that associated littering and firewood collecting may have a small environmental impact (UNEP-WCMC 2011); however, it is not clear whether the population lies on a commonly used route. There is very limited evidence of deforestation in the area of the type collection between 2001 and 2018 (GFW 2020). Although landslides have been reported from the vicinity of the collection (Utteridge 2002), M. johnsii grows in gaps along roadside, mimicking natural gaps in forest after tree falls and landslides (T. Utteridge pers. comm. 2020); as such, landslides and other forms of minor disturbance are not thought to pose a threat to the species, and may actually provide suitable habitat. The plant is also used as a vegetable by the Amungme tribe and it is suspected that it may be collected for this purpose, although Argent (2001) specifies that the wild subpopulation occurs along roadside well away from indigenous habitation. However, the improved road to Timika on the western boundary of the Lorentz National Park has encouraged illegal logging activities and increased the susceptibility of the surrounds to forest fires (UNEP-WCMC 2011). Improvements made to the road may also preclude increased management and cutback of roadside vegetation, which would be detrimental to the species (T. Utteridge pers. comm. 2020). Given the highly restricted distribution of the population, and the fact that this stretch of road lies outside the protection of Lorentz National Park, the vulnerability of the population to the potential future threats of logging, fire, and increased collection is heightened. It is plausible that an escalation in any one of these threats could lead the species to become Critically Endangered or even Extinct in a short time. Monitoring and mitigation of future threats is required. It should be noted that it is suspected that the species may occur elsewhere in the lower montane forests south of the central range. It is also possible that the range for the species extends into the Lorentz National Park (T. Utteridge pers. comm. 2020). These areas are largely undisturbed (Morrison 2020); as such, confirmed presence elsewhere in the range would increase the resilience of the species to risk of extinction. If other subpopulations are found, research into the scale and severity of threats in action will be necessary.

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). Musa johnsii has not been collected from any protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2020); the only reported wild subpopulation occurs in the Freeport Project Area to the west of Lorentz National Park (Argent 2001). However, it is suspected that the species may occur across a wider range, and that further subpopulations could occur within this enormous protected area (T. Utteridge pers. comm. 2020). Two botanical gardens are listed as sites of ex situ conservation for the species (BGCI 2020) but no germplasm accessions are held (Ruas et al. 2017, Genesys Global Portal on Plant Genetic Resources 2020). As the species has a very restricted distribution and lies outside protected areas, in situ area protection is strongly recommended. The gathering of wild germplasm material for ex situ conservation in seed banks is a conservation priority.