The Cloud Forest Project – St Helena Research Institute

The St Helena Cloud Forest Project is a large-scale ecological restoration and climate resilience initiative focused on protecting and revitalising the island’s unique cloud forest ecosystem in the Peaks National Park. The project works to conserve endemic species, improve water security, and build resilience to climate change by expanding native forest cover, restoring degraded habitats, and managing invasive species. It also supports genetic conservation through nurseries and living gene banks, invests in research and training, and promotes sustainable development through community engagement, education, research and eco-tourism opportunities. This collaborative effort brings together local stakeholders, international partners, and scientific expertise to secure one of St Helena’s most important natural and cultural landscapes.

Project Description and Purpose

The St Helena Cloud Forest Project is restoring the island’s most threatened and ecologically important ecosystem.

Cloud forest is now restricted to just 16 hectares across the highest peaks: Mount Actaeon, Diana’s Peak, Cuckold’s Point, High Pea, and the Depot. These fragments are home to around 250 species found nowhere else on Earth, over one-sixth of the UK’s total endemic biodiversity. Thickets of the endemic Tree Fern Dicksonia arborescens dominate, with Black Cabbage Trees, Melanodendron integrifolium, forming a broad canopy that supports epiphytes, ferns, bryophytes and lichens and a rich and diverse invertebrate fauna.

The Peaks are also the island’s primary source of fresh-water. Nearly 50% of St Helena’s water comes from the Peaks, with about 60% of that from fog-drip.

Now in its fifth year and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the project delivers the goals of the Peaks National Park Management Plan (2019–2024) and its implementation plan Restoring St Helena’s Internationally Important Cloud Forest for Water Security and Wildlife (2021–2026). The vision is to secure and expand the island’s unique cloud forest, building its resilience to invasive species and climate change.

The project aims to increase cloud forest habitat by 25%, helping to protect one-sixth of the UK’s endemic biodiversity and boosting water capture by up to 20%. Its long-term outcome is a self-sustaining ecosystem that prevents further extinctions, enhances water resilience, and supports sustainable development through nature-based tourism and community engagement.

The Implementation plan is set out under 4 core pillars: Management, Biodiversity; Water Security and Socio economic.

Project Pillars

Biodiversity

Efforts focus on expanding and enhancing cloud forest habitat by planting native species and managing invasive plants to build a resilient ecosystem. Restoration is supported by strengthened nurseries and living gene banks that preserve genetic diversity, alongside targeted research, monitoring, and training to guide effective conservation.

Water Security

Expanding cloud forest habitat enhances mist and rainwater capture, boosts peat soil formation for water retention, and strengthens resilience to climate change. Research and cross-sector engagement support sustainable water management and highlight the forest’s role in climate adaptation and eco-tourism development.

Socio-economic

Cross-sector support, improved infrastructure, education, outreach and public engagement are strengthening recognition of the Peaks National Park as a vital natural and cultural asset, while enhancing visitor experience and environmental protection.