Connaissance et perception sociale de l’espèce invasive tulipier du Gabon sur les îles de Tahiti et Moorea (Polynésie française)

Abstract

The African tulip tree, Spathodea campanulata, is an invasive species introduced on the island of Tahiti in 1932 and officially declared a "threat to biodiversity in French Polynesia" in 1998. As part of the CADISPAT project (Dispersal ability of Spathodea, 2019-2020) devoted to the study of the dispersion of the African tulip tree in the Society Archipelago in French Polynesia, a survey by questionnaire was conducted among 291 people on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea in September 2019. The aim of this survey was to collect information on the level of knowledge and the societal representations of the local population on this invasive species. The results of the survey revealed an overall low level of knowledge of the tulip tree, even if it varies somewhat according to a certain number of socio‑demographic criteria and a social perception which seems rather positive. If the African tulip tree is described, in a pragmatic way, as invasive and assimilated to a certain number of nuisances, it also appears to be very appreciated for the aesthetic character of its red flowering and is associated with various functions. This recalls the importance of trees in Ma'ohi culture, but also seems to suggest a certain cultural appropriation of African tulip tree introduced into French Polynesia almost 100 years ago today. This could limit the population's support for the management of this invasive species.

Keywords

• Spathodea campanulata
• Tahiti
• social perception
• African tulip tree
• invasive alien species
• knowledge of invasive species