Palisota cristalensis

Within the Monts de Cristal area, Palisota cristalensis is mostly threatened by hydroelectric projects and logging. Indeed, 34 occurrences are expected to disappear in the near future because they are located within the construction site and the projected inundated area of a planned hydro-electric project. Moreover, deforestation for the construction of infrastructures is already ongoing where the species is known. The species is also highly threatened by industrial plantations and we expect that the occurrence near Awala will disappear in the near future. Finally, Palisota cristalensis is threatened by oil activities near Remboué, which induces a decline in the quality of the habitat.

Palisota cristalensis is known from two protected areas: the Monts de Cristal National Park in Gabon and the Punta Llende Natural Reserve in Equatorial Guinea. The species is subject to ex situ conservation as part of the Biodiversity Action Plan of a hydroelectric dam project. Indeed, 173 individuals have been cultivated within the Kinguélé nursery with a current survival rate of 96%.

As the species is threatened by hydroelectric dam projects, industrial plantations, oil activities, roads 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 governments of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to ensure that Palisota cristalensis is taken into consideration when decisions are made that could impact its conservation.