An ecogeographic survey is required for the development of a strategy for t
he conservation and use of plant genetic resources. An herbarium-based ecog
eographic survey is presented, supplemented by detailed field surveys of wi
ld Coffea species in the Mascarene Islands. The geographical and ecological
distribution of the different Coffea species in the Mascarene Islands, pri
ncipally in Mauritius, is determined, and an assessment is made of the IUCN
conservation status of native Coffea species. Ecogeographic data were coll
ated from herbarium specimens from four major herbaria holding collections
of Mascarene Coffea. The geography, ecology, phenology and conservation sta
tus of the Coffea species from Mauritius are discussed. (C) 1999 The Linnea
n Society of London.