Ecogeographic survey of the genus Coffea in the Mascarene Islands

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.