January 15, 2025
We’re Joining the Global Rewilding Alliance!
We're joining the Global Rewilding Alliance, a network of environmental organizations around the world!
Our new online shop is live!
Published on
January 23, 2025
Written by
Bren Ram
Photo credit
Bren Ram
Island plants are special. Not only are islands the origin for almost a third of all plant species in the world, but about a fifth of all the Earth’s plants are found only on islands. And that number is growing: in 2018, a feasibility study co-led by Island Conservation and Société d’Ornithologie de Polynésie Manu (SOP Manu) facilitated the discovery of a new plant that has just been officially designated a new species!
In 2013 and 2015, while working on the “Flore de la Polynésie française” (Flora of French Polynesia) project, a researcher named George Staples discovered two unusual plant specimens from the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. These specimens were intriguing because they lacked flowers, making identification difficult. However, they hinted at a potentially new species of Jacquemontia—a plant that hadn’t been collected for nearly a century! One of the reasons this genus of plant is so little-known is that it thrives on islands that are largely uninhabited.
One such island is small, uninhabited Mohotani. With its vegetation decimated by invasive species, the soil of Mohotani is easily eroded away, because there are so few roots and plant structures to hold it down. As a result, the sea around the island is often stained red by soil runoff after rains.
Determined to find this elusive plant, another researcher, Jean-François Butaud, conducted field trips to the Marquesas from 2017 to 2019. During an intensive 10-day expedition on Mohotani in October 2018, Butard and his team searched tirelessly for the plant. Just as the trip was ending, Marquesan guide Nazario Kahueinui spotted the plant. Island Conservation’s very own Richard Griffiths took a photo and sent it to Butard, who confirmed it to be the mysterious Jacquemontia!
Verifying the existence of a new species is a complicated process. The team compared the specimens with all known Jacquemontia species from the Indo-Pacific region. They also consulted an expert on Neotropical Jacquemontia to rule out any other possibilities. The new species was named Jacquemontia mohotaniensis, underscoring the importance of protecting Mohotani, a designated conservation area in French Polynesia.
The story of Jacquemontia mohotaniensis is proof that collaboration between different environmental organizations is key to preserving and protecting these precious, fragile ecosystems. We still have so much to learn about the world’s remote islands. If it wasn’t for conservationists’ passion to protect these small, obscure places, we would never have known that Jacquemontia mohotaniensis existed. Who knows what else is still to be discovered?
To hear more exciting stories from some of the Earth’s most remote places, join our newsletter. To support Island Conservation’s collaborative efforts to holistically restore islands for nature and people worldwide, become a supporter today!
Check out other journal entries we think you might be interested in.
January 15, 2025
We're joining the Global Rewilding Alliance, a network of environmental organizations around the world!
January 13, 2025
How do islands support the world's plant biodiversity? A new study in Nature reveals just how important islands are for plants around the world.
December 16, 2024
Looking for that perfect gift for the environmentally-conscious people in your life? Our gift guide has you covered!
December 9, 2024
Groundbreaking research has the potential to transform the way we monitor invasive species on islands!
November 22, 2024
This historic agreement aims to protect the marine and coastal areas of the Southeast Pacific.
October 29, 2024
Audubon's Shearwaters are nesting on Desecheo Island for the first time ever! Read about how we used social attraction to bring them home.
October 3, 2024
Island Conservation and partners have published a new paper quantifying ecosystem resilience on restored islands!
August 6, 2024
New research shows the vital link between island restoration, healthy seabird populations, and resilient, thriving coral reefs!
February 21, 2024
Researchers on Palmyra Atoll have discovered the best methods for removing invasive coconut palms and restoring native plants!
October 16, 2023
A new plant species endemic to Hawai'i has been officially classified, underscoring islands' unique biodiversity.