Tree Conservation and the Role of Botanic Gardens Volume 12 • Number 2 EDITORIAL BOTANIC GARDENS and TREE CONSERVATION Paul Smith CLICK & GO 03
Journal of Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Volume 12 • Number 2 • July 2015 Tree conservation and the role of botanic gardens Volume 12 • Number 2 EDITORIAL BOTANIC GARDENS AND TREE CONSERVATION Paul Smith CLICK & GO 03
APPROACHES TO TREE CONSERVATION BGCI’S WORK IN CHINA Emily Beech and Joachim Gratzfeld CLICK & GO 04
TREE RED LISTING IN BRAZIL: LESSONS AND PERSPECTIVES Eline Martins, Rafael Loyola, Tainan Messina, Ricardo Avancini, CLICK & GO 08 Gustavo Martinelli EDITOR CONSERVATION ROLE FOR A NEW ARBORETUM IN CANBERRA, Suzanne Sharrock AUSTRALIA Director of Global Mark Richardson and Scott Saddler CLICK & GO 12 Programmes THE GLOBAL TREES CAMPAIGN – SAFEGUARDING THE WORLD’S THREATENED TREES FROM EXTINCTION Kirsty Shaw CLICK & GO 15 Cover Photo : Propagation of native tree species in Kenya (Barney Wilczak) GENETIC OPTIMIZATION OF TREES IN LIVING COLLECTIONS Design : Seascape www.seascapedesign.co.uk Alison KS Wee, Yann Surget-Groba and Richard Corlett CLICK & GO 18
WHITHER RARE RELICT TREES IN A CLIMATE OF RAPID CHANGE? Joachim Gratzfeld, Gregor Kozlowski, Laurence Fazan, CLICK & GO 21 BGjournal is published by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) . It is published twice a year and is Stéphane Buord, Giuseppe Garfì, Salvatore Pasta, Panagiota sent to all BGCI members. Membership is open to all interested individuals, institutions and organisations that Gotsiou, Christina Fournaraki, Dimos Dimitriou support the aims of BGCI (see inside back cover for Membership application form). EX SITU CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED MALAGASY TREES Further details available from: AT PARC IVOLOINA Chris Birkinshaw, Karen Freeman and CLICK & GO 26 • Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Descanso George Schatz House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3BW UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5953, Fax: +44 (0)20 8332 5956 E-mail: [email protected], www.bgci.org THE GLOBAL TREES CAMPAIGN AND ARBNET – • BGCI-Russia, c/o Main Botanical Gardens, WORKING TOGETHER TO ADVANCE PROFESSIONALISM AND TREE CLICK & GO 30 Botanicheskaya st., 4, Moscow 127276, Russia. CONSERVATION IN ARBORETA Tel: +7 (095) 219 6160 / 5377, Fax: +7 (095) 218 0525, Murphy Westwood E-mail: [email protected], www.bgci.org/russia
• BGCI-Netherlands, c/o Delft University of Technology SAVING MALAWI’S NATIONAL TREE Julianalaan 67, NL-2628 BC Delft, Netherlands Paul Smith CLICK & GO 34 Tel: +31 15 278 4714 Fax: +31 15 278 2355 E-mail: [email protected] www.botanischetuin.tudelft.nl LEARNING ABOUT THE CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS OF • B GCI-Canarias, c/o Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo, THREATENED TREE SPECIES Dr Trevor Booth CLICK & GO 37 Apartado de Correos 14, Tafira Alta 35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Spain. Tel: +34 928 21 95 80/82/83, Fax: +34 928 21 95 81, RESOURCES E-mail: [email protected] CLICK & GO 40 • B GCI-China, 723 Xingke Rd., Guangzhou 510650 China. Tel:(86)20-37252692. email: [email protected] www.bgci.org/china
• B GCI-Colombia, c/o Jardín Botánico de Bogotá, Jose Celestino Mutis, Av. No. 61-13 – A.A. 59887, Santa Fe de Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. Tel: +57 630 0949, Fax: +57 630 5075, E-mail: [email protected], www.humboldt.org.co/jardinesdecolombia/html/la_red.htm
• B GCI(US) Inc, c/o Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois 60022, USA. E-mail: [email protected], www.bgci.org/usa
BGCI is a worldwide membership organisation established in 1987. Its mission is to mobilise botanic gardens and engage partners in securing plant diversity for the well-being of people and the planet . BGCI is an independent organisation registered in the United Kingdom as a charity (Charity Reg No 1098834) and a company limited by guarantee, No 4673175. BGCI is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation in the USA and is a registered non-profit organisation in Russia.
Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Boards or staff of BGCI or of its members
02 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 EDITORIAL BOTANIC GARDENS AND TREE CONSERVATION
rees are surely the most charismatic 8,000 (<10%) are reported as being used. of plant species . The tallest trees in Of these, only 2,400 (<3%) are actively Tthe world grow to a height of over managed, and only 500-600 (<1%) are in 100 metres and even the common tree breeding and improvement species found in our gardens inspire programmes. The good news here is that wonder in our children who feel tree diversity represents huge scope for compelled to climb them as high as they human innovation, adaptation and dare. It was trees that first sparked my resilience. The bad news is that we know interest in botany. I worked as a safari so little about trees and, in particular, guide in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley whether we are losing species that may in my early twenties and found myself be essential for our own survival. surrounded by majestic 30 metre winterthorns ( Faidherbia albida ), baobabs In this edition of BGjournal you will read (Adansonia digitata ) and ebonies about what we, in the botanic gardens (Diospyros mespiliformis ). However, community, are doing to address these landscapes. A particular challenge will be despite the wealth of tree diversity that issues. At BGCI we are building the most to manage tree populations unable to dominated the riverine landscapes of the comprehensive list of tree species in the respond quickly enough to a rapidly South Luangwa National Park, there were world (see page 16 TreeSearch). Currently changing climate, by maximising their no field guides or sources of information standing at around 70,000 taxa, we hope genetic diversity and adaptive potential. on these trees. This was in stark contrast to complete this register of tree diversity to the wealth of information on the birds by early next year. Using this list as a Despite the obstacles, I believe that it is and mammals of the valley. Admittedly, reference, the next step is to carry out entirely possible to conserve, manage it was the lions, leopards, elephants and a Global Tree Assessment (page 16); and pass on all tree diversity to future giraffe that tourists mainly came to see, working with partners all around the generations. There is no technical reason closely followed by legions of twitchers world and led by the Global Trees why any plant species should become hoping to get a glimpse of a rare bird like Specialist Group of the IUCN, we aim to extinct given the array of management the Angolan pitta. However, the closer have assessed the conservation status of options open to us – both in situ and you looked the more you realised the every known tree species by 2020. You ex situ . And it is botanic gardens and importance of the trees to these and can read about the massive effort under arboreta that need to lead these efforts. other species. Food for the giraffe and way to assess Brazil’s estimated 8,000 As the articles in this issue of BGjournal elephant; somewhere to stash your kill for native tree species on page 8. These demonstrate, we have the information, the leopard; a perch to spot prey for the assessments will drive our conservation skills and knowledge to find, identify, lion; and a nest for a rare bird. For us actions. The Global Trees Campaign conserve and manage tree diversity right humans, trees provide us with shelter, (page 15) aims to prevent all tree across the taxonomic array. As incoming fuel, medicines and a myriad of other extinctions. Wherever possible we will Secretary General of Botanic Gardens provisioning services. They give us clean work to conserve trees in situ , addressing Conservation International I am excited to water, control erosion and generate the threats directly and ensuring that they be part of a community of botanic oxygen that we breathe. All of these are continue to thrive in nature as self- gardens around the world that is doing the strongest possible reasons for sustaining populations. Where this is not something so positive. conserving them in all of their diversity. possible, we will conserve their seeds in seed banks, keep them alive in tissue Last year the first State of the World’s culture or grow them in our arboreta. Forest Genetic Resources report was Increasingly, we will need to learn how published by FAO. This report estimates to translocate trees, reinforce tree that there are 80,000-100,000 tree populations or restore their habitats in Paul Smith species in the world, of which around increasingly human-dominated BGCI Secretary General
03 03 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Authors: Emily Beech and Joachim Gratzfeld
APPROACHES TO TREE CONSERVATION
BGCI’s work in China includes a range of projects to ensure the survival of threatened tree species
ust as there are many tree species, subtropical forests. The threats to trees there are many approaches to their differ in each location, requiring multiple Jconservation. Trees occur in approaches to their conservation. different habitats and ecosystems and are at risk due to a diverse range of Here we take a quick look at the varied threats including land use changes, ways in which local Chinese partners and overexploitation and climate change. BGCI are working together to conserve These threats result in different the threatened trees of China. consequences on the ground; the habitat may have disappeared, been replaced or Species recovery become degraded. Some tree species have declined to the point at which they The focus of the Global Trees Campaign are in need of special help in order to is to protect and improve the survive. conservation status of threatened trees (see page 15) There are 9,641 threatened Covering an area of 9,596,961 km², China trees worldwide and China is home to at features a large diversity of ecosystems least 760 of these species. Assisted with numerous rare and threatened native species recovery focuses on one or Above: Magnolia sinostellata trees. BGCI’s projects operate in a range several species with few individuals (Shouzhou Zhang) of these habitats, including tropical remaining in the wild and gives a helping Top: Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical rainforests, temperate desert, riparian hand to increase numbers and encourage Garden (Barney Wilczak) forest as well as temperate and natural reproduction in the future.
04 04-07 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) aims to improve the conservation status of three rare Golden camellias, Camellia nitidissima, C. euphlebia and C. tunghinensis . The project has so far successfully propagated all three species and has introduced 6,000 plants into a demonstration base, with an additional 20,000 plants being grown in three nurseries in the vicinity. Ex situ collections in Guilin Botanic Garden and Nanning Arboretum are now extensive, harbouring the genetic diversity of the wild populations.
Major efforts to maximise the genetic diversity of botanic garden ex situ collections are also being developed at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden. See page 18.
Ecosystem restoration
It is not only individual species that are in Tree planting in Mangyangguan, China (Barney Wilczak) in danger. Many unique ecosystems are rapidly becoming degraded or damaged Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant 2,000 seedlings in to the wild, to improve to the point where they no longer provide Conservation (GSPC) calls for 75% of the chances of self-reproduction and the ecosystem services they once threatened species to be in ex situ population growth. offered. Restoration of an ecosystem collections by 2020. In order for involves facilitating natural succession. collections to have the greatest value to Other BGCI species recovery programmes Human disturbances often prevent this conservation and reintroduction are in their later stages and show process and interventions are needed to programmes they must represent the promising results. A project in kick-start the process, for instance by genetic variation of the species. collaboration with Guilin Botanical Garden, removing exotic plants, reducing soil the Guangxi Institute of Botany and the erosion and reintroducing native species. However, many threatened tree species are not well represented in ex situ collections. It is therefore necessary to improve this representation and develop propagation protocols to enable population reinforcement in situ .
In the case of Magnolia sinostellata , it is its horticultural value which has directly contributed to its decline. Only three populations are known to remain in the wild with limited genetic diversity. BGCI, in collaboration with Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen has been working to improve the conservation status of this species in Zhejiang. Ex situ conservation collections are being established to represent all three remaining populations along with the development of propagation protocols, using cuttings, grafting and dividing. Efforts to enrich the dwindling genetic diversity of Magnolia sinostellata are a particular focus in one population (Jingning population) which has the least fertile seeds. This project is in its early stages and it is hoped that work will ultimately lead to population reinforcement and reintroduction programmes in the future. There are plans to plant out 1,000 – Camellia nursery in China (BGCI)
05 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Caption
Members of the Dai ethnic minority replanting forest in China (Barney Wilczak)
In partnership with Xishuangbanna Xinjiang region. The poplar forests are locations, communities have been Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), BGCI is under a triple threat from expanding exploiting forest resources without working to restore tropical forest remnants agriculture, livestock grazing and a knowledge of the full impact on tree in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. The tropical shrinking water table. In partnership with populations. A key to reducing the threats forest of the region is fragmented due to Tarim University, BGCI is working to to many of these species is to provide the increase in cash crop cultivation, protect the habitat whilst propagating incentives and training to avoid future especially large-scale rubber plantations. and planting two of the target tree unsustainable harvesting. One of the remaining, yet degraded forest species, Populus euphratica and P. areas is Dai Holy Hill Forest. Large, mature pruinosa in pilot plots. Seed regeneration For instance, much of the natural forest native trees have been extensively is low so studies are ongoing to identify surrounding Dahetou village in southern extracted for timber, leaving the forest natural ways to promote natural Yunnan is owned by the community and floor liable to erosion. With the aid of reproduction. In the meantime, planting individual households. Threats come in historical records and ex situ collections, of vegetatively propagated individuals is the form of various forms of commercial this collaborative project aims to restore being carried out. interest, especially the extraction of the forest remnant to a similar plant timber. Working with the Yunnan Institute composition as was present prior to Boosting conservation through of Environmental Science, BGCI is disturbance. Two years into this project, livelihoods enhancement and promoting population reinforcement several hundred saplings of 25 endemic community engagement programmes of two rare flagship trees, woody species have been planted in a ten Magnolia cathcartii and M. doltsopa , hectare pilot restoration site in the forest. 2010 figures from the World Bank which are heavily utilised in local Exotic weeds have been removed with the estimate that 84.1 million people in China construction. There is a real need for help of the local community. In the long live on less than $1.25 a day. Poverty reliable incomes in the village to prevent term, this project hopes to scale up pushes communities towards further overharvesting of forest resources planting as well as encourage similar unsustainable levels of harvesting, for economic reasons. In addition to activities in other forest remnants. encouraging conversion of forest to propagating and planting hundreds of agriculture and the over-exploitation of saplings of the two species, public Another example of BGCI’s efforts to timber resources for income generation. outreach materials with information on restore ecosystems and unique habitats the ethnobotanical importance of local in partnership with our members is the Conservation programmes will therefore plant diversity have been produced and conservation work carried out in riparian be most successful when they consider distributed to the local community. In forests along the Tarim River in the arid the needs of local communities. In certain future the project will facilitate income
06 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 generation through enhanced promotion of home gardening of medicinal species to reduce overreliance on the forest natural resources.
Although widely acknowledged, the importance of engaging local communities from the outset of a new conservation endeavour is still often overlooked. When ecosystems and specific tree species are faced with human threats, it is essential to identify the reasons why people resort to unsustainable exploitation. Without tackling the drivers of decline of a tree species it is likely to face further problems in the future. Projects which directly affect local communities can be viewed more positively if they incorporate elements of community engagement, opportunities for employment and education programmes.
Most of BGCI’s tree conservation projects therefore include specific social aims, working in harmony and with the help of the local community to ensure that people directly experience the benefits of conserving trees and their habitats. For example, the Golden Camellia project in Guangxi mentioned above, aims to Magnolia sinostellata (Shouzhou Zhang) enhance the incomes of local farmers by providing access to high-value plant BGCI’s project in the Zhibenshan damage which has occurred, the drivers resources, while work in Yunnan has Mountains in west Yunnan practises for the threats, as well as uses of plant directly engaged several hundred school extensive replanting of threatened resources by the local community. All of children in the restoration of tropical forest species in an area degraded from mining these factors will influence which remnants in Xishuangbanna. activities and extraction of natural approach or combination of different resources by local communities. methods would be most successful in One of the most successful examples of Alongside this, the project has also conserving the area’s target trees and this approach was a restoration project developed numerous outreach activities restoring the habitat at large. run between 2008 and 2011 in Pingbian to engage local people in the county, Yunnan to conserve three globally conservation work, linked with the The success of former and continuing threatened trees, Dipteronia dyeriana, establishment of a series of interpretation projects of BGCI and partners in China Magnolia odoratissima and Magnolia materials such as panels along the side demonstrates that tree conservation can aromatica . During the project, of a new road in the project area to have benefits which go far beyond the stakeholder workshops were held to raise promote interest and pride in the immediate protection of the target species. awareness in the local community of the surrounding plant diversity and the This work also endeavours to inspire the importance of plant conservation. importance of securing it for the future. next generation of ‘environmental Encouraged by these sessions, several stewards’ and boost ownership of and farmers set up nurseries for threatened Conclusion pride in the local biodiversity. The projects tree species, in addition to partnering on listed above represent only a snapshot of the establishment of a ‘near situ’ As discussed above, the threats to native BGCI’s work in China. More information conservation field collection with over tree species are not homogenous across about BGCI’s China programme can be 14,200 saplings of threatened species. a country like China, with a large range of found on the BGC website (www.bgci.org), This generated additional income habitats and social settings. Before with information also available in Chinese opportunities from the sale of seedlings. embarking on a tree conservation project, (www.bgci.org/china). there are numerous issues to consider Education and stakeholders to consult. These Emily Beech and include conservation status assessments Joachim Gratzfeld Target 14 of GSPC calls for plant to identify threatened species of the area, BGCI conservation to form part of education historical records and floras to assess the 199, Kew Road, Richmond UK and public awareness programmes. differences in diversity and the amount of [email protected].
07 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Authors: Eline Martins, Rafael Loyola, Tainan Messina, Ricardo Avancini, Gustavo Martinelli
TREE RED LISTING IN BRAZIL: LESSONS AND PERSPECTIVES
A part of the remains of the Atlantic Rainforest in Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro state, the first National Park in Brazil (Eduardo Fernandez)
Brazilian flora and developing recovery the knowledge gaps for tree species in plans for species threatened with Brazil. Such information will ultimately extinction. CNCFlora is the Red List inform the development of on-the-ground Authority for plants in Brazil and adopts conservation actions. So far, CNCFlora has the standards and procedures evaluated the extinction risk for 1,125 tree recommended by the International Union species (13.9% of the total of Brazilian tree for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). species), resulting in 420 tree species Since 2010, CNCFlora has assessed the being assigned to a given threat category extinction risk of 5,165 species of the (66 CR; 224 EN and 130 VU) (Fig. 1). Brazilian flora (11.2% of the national flora). An individual of “Brazilwood” As a result, 2,478 plant species are 50,000 (Caesalpinia echinata ) in the Rio de considered threatened with extinction at 46,097 Janeiro Botanic Garden (Lucas Moraes) the national level: 527 Critically 40,000 Endangered - CR; 1,378 Endangered - EN, Total Species s e Introduction and 573 Vulnerable – VU. (Martinelli and i Tree Species c e 30,000 Moraes, 2013; Martinelli et al ., 2014). p S
f o
razil has the largest number of plant r e
species in the world (46,097) with The importance of trees b 20,000 m u Bone new species being described N every two days. The country has 8,058 Trees play a pivotal role in Brazilian 10,000 8,058 5,165 2,478 native tree species, mainly concentrated in ecosystems. They are important not only 1,125 420 the Amazon and the Atlantic Rainforest because of their ecology and complex 0 Brazilian Evaluated Species Threatened (List of Species of the Brazilian Flora, interactions with other species and Flora of Brazilian Flora Flora Species 2015). The Brazilian National Centre for environments, but also because of their Flora Conservation (CNCFlora) is cultural and socioeconomic value. Figure 1: Risk assessment overview in Brazil responsible, at the national level, for Considering these values is essential in considering the total number of plant assessing the conservation status of the understanding the threats and identifying species and the total number of tree species
08 08-11 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 "Assessments so far reveal that 37% of tree species in Brazil are threatened with extinction."
Threats to trees in Brazil
As in many parts of the world, the main threats for native plants in Brazil are habitat conversion/alteration for cattle ranching, agricultural expansion and mining. Some tree species have also been heavily exploited due to the value of their timber for real-estate and shipbuilding applications, as well as for furniture and medicinal uses, and are consequently experiencing large population reductions. For example, the tree that originally gave the country its name, the “Brazilwood” (Caesalpinia echinata Lam. - Fabaceae) is currently classified as EN on the official list of threatened flora in Brazil, and it has a long track record of being unsustainably harvested. Following the colonization of Brazil in the 1500’s a red dye taken from the tree’s heartwood was extensively used. Although this use ceased with the advent of synthetic dyes during the 1800’s, today the wood of this species is prized for the manufacture of high-quality bows for stringed instruments. Currently, the main threat to the species is the extensive habitat destruction arising from the intense urbanization and agricultural expansion that is taking place along the Brazilian coast. Faveiro-de-Wilson tree classified as Critically Endangered (Fernando Fernandes) The International Pernambuco al ., 2014) and recovery plans is very (Martins et al ., 2014). Since December Conservation Initiative (IPCI) is important, but the elaboration, 2014, new Brazilian legislation protects dedicated to the conservation implementation and monitoring of this species from harvesting, cutting conservation action plans requires down, transporting without authorization, and sustainable use of significant human and financial storing, managing and trading. Caesalpinia echinata , with the resources. Legislation also reinforces the need for robust species extinction risk aim of ensuring the future of “To date, Brazil has only one assessments and the elaboration of stringed instrument music. recovery plans to guarantee the viability officially published recovery plan of populations for threatened species. for a tree species." Sustainable management is allowed for Recovery plans species classified as VU, as long as the activity respects international After the red listing process, the next step The only Brazilian tree species with a agreements, and the recommendations of in the conservation of species identified as published recovery plan is Dimorphandra risk assessments and recovery plans, under threat, is the elaboration of recovery wilsonii Rizzini, (Faveiro-de-Wilson). This when in place. plans (referred to as ‘action plans for species is found in the transition zone conservation’ in Brazil). Recovery plans between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Assessing species’ extinction consider information about species’ Rainforest in the state of Minas Gerais, risk in the Atlantic Rainforest ecological traits, historical and current and it is classified as CR. The species of the state of Rio de Janeiro threats and socio economic uses/conflicts was considered top priority for the to support the elaboration and execution elaboration of a recovery plan given that The original area of the Atlantic Rainforest of effective actions for conservation based there are only 246 adult individuals has been continually devastated since on the engagement of stakeholders. known after 10 years of intense efforts for the colonization period. Over the last The effort to produce red lists (Moraes et its in situ and ex situ conservation century it is estimated that close to 86%
09 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 survival. The data gathered during the Box 1. The case of Terminalia of Rio de Janeiro, one of the most assessment phase are stored in a acuminata – Is the species important National Parks in an urban database which is the basis for the Endangered or Extinct in the Wild? area in the world (Pougy et al ., 2014). elaboration of recovery plans, and which Moreover, the literature describes T. also supports the elaboration of spatial In 2013, CNCFlora assessed the risk of acuminata as rare and a timber conservation plans, pinpointing priority extinction of a mysterious species: species, since its wood is used for areas for the conservation and Terminalia acuminata (Allemão) Eichler building and furniture making sustainable use of threatened plants in - Combretaceae, an endemic species (Marquete, 1984; 2003). Brazil. of Rio de Janeiro. The species was formerly listed as Data Deficient (DD) in This year, a new systematic search for In December 2014, the first results of the the last official list of threatened flora the species has been carried out and extinction risk assessment carried out by of Brazil from 2008. However, after a while this text was being edited the this dynamic and integrated online more comprehensive search and species was found in a forest remnant method was officially recognized by the assessment, the species was in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Our field Brazilian Ministry of Environment. This considered threatened (Martinelli and team found one fertile tree in a private allowed the publication of the updated Moraes, 2013). property close to the limits of a state official list of threatened flora in Brazil, an protected area, as well as a mature important tool for public policy and law The most updated information tree, two juveniles and two seedlings enforcement for the conservation of indicates its occurrence in two inside a municipal protected area. threatened flora (MMA, 443/2014), and locations and with incident threats Local people appeared to know the also regulating the commercial use of tree such as urban expansion, logging and species and could help to locate more species. This was a first and critical step habitat loss. This tree was last seen in individuals. This is good news, but towards more effective conservation in nature in 1942 and further records there is still an urgent need to increase Brazil. However, further resources and indicated its occurrence in a mountain collection efforts for this species, in means to guarantee the execution of the region of the state, as well as in the order to better understand its real commitments made by the country in Tijuca National Park located in the city conservation status. accordance with the GSPC targets are still required. of this forest has been lost (Ribeiro et al ., species and the challenge goes beyond 2009). However, when compared to this. Brazil has the most diverse flora in other regions in Brazil, the Rio de Janeiro the world and much more yet to be state has preserved a greater percentage discovered. Since 2010, an average of of this forest (21%; Fundação SOS Mata 1,235 new species have been included Atlântica and INPE, 2015). This provides per year in the List of Species of the an enormous opportunity to focus on Brazilian Flora. effective actions that will ensure the protection of what is left of this Considering this challenging scenario, astonishing environment. CNCFlora is focused on achieving five targets proposed by the Global Strategy The state of Rio de Janeiro has high for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which are levels of endemism (Jenkins and Pimm, (1) assessing the extinction risk for the 2006). It harbors 7,662 known plant known Brazilian flora (Target 2), (2) species, distributed among 198 families, ensuring the in situ conservation of 75% of which 1,897 are trees species (List of of the threatened species (Target 7), (3) Species of the Brazilian Flora, 2015). ensuring the ex situ conservation of 75% Nearly 1,000 of these plant species are of the threatened species (Target 8), (4) endemic, including 230 tree species. capacity building for plant conservation During 2015, CNCFlora aims to assess (Target 15), and (5) establishing a broader the extinction risk of all endemic species network to accomplish strategic in partnership with the Environment objectives (Target 16). Secretary of the State of Rio de Janeiro. To reach these targets, CNCFlora has a The challenge ahead: towards trained team working with a network of the achievement of GSPC over 500 botanical specialists. CNCFlora targets also developed a tailor-made online platform for species’ evaluation, which The challenge to conserve tree species in allows the recording of up to 49 fields Brazil is huge and has just started. We related to the biology of the species, Faveiro-de-Wilson tree, the only tree that have a long way to go to guarantee ongoing threats to populations and has an official published recovery plan in effective protection of known threatened conservation actions needed for their Brazil (Fernando Fernandes)
10 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 An individual of Terminalia acuminata in the Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden, an endemic tree of Rio de Janeiro state (Lucas Moraes)
, Martinelli, G., Messina, T., Santos Filho, L.A. 2014. Livro Vermelho da Flora do Brasil-Raras do Cerrado . Andrea Jakobsson Estúdio: Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro.
, Martinelli, G., Moraes, M.A. 2013. Livro Vermelho da Flora do Brasil . Andrea Jakobsson Estúdio: Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro.
, Martins, E.M., Fernandes, F., Maurenza, D., Pougy, N., Loyola, R. and Martinelli, G. 2014. Plano de Ação Nacional para a Conservação do Faveiro-de-wilson (Dimorphandra wilsonii Rizzini). Andrea Jakobsson Estúdio: Instituto de Pesquisa Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro.
, MMA, 2014. Portaria no 443, de 17 de Dezembro de 2014. Diário Of. da União 110–121.
, Moraes, M.A., Borges, R.A.X., Martins, E.M., Fernandes, R.A., Messina, T., Martinelli, G. 2014. Categorizing threatened species: an analysis of the Red List of the flora of Brazil . Oryx 48 :258–265.
, Pougy, N., Martins, E.M., Verdi, M., Oliveira, J. A., Maurenza, D., Amaro, R. and Martinelli, G. 2014. Urban forests and the conservation of threatened plant species: the case of the Tijuca National Park, Brazil . Nat Conserv 2:170–173.
, Ribeiro, M.C., Metzger, J.P., Martensen, References , List of Species of the Brazilian A.C., et al . 2009. The Brazilian Atlantic Flora. Rio de Janeiro Botanical Forest: How much is left, and how is , Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica and Garden. Available at: the remaining forest distributed? Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais. http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/. Implications for conservation . Biol 2015. Atlas dos Remanescentes Florestais Accessed on: 25 Jun. 2015. Conserv 142 :1141–1153. da Mata Atlântica- Período 2013-2014 . São Paulo. 60pp. , Marquete N.F.D.S. 1984. Gustavo Martinelli. Combretaceae do Estado do Rio de Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim , Jenkins, C.N. and Pimm, S. L. 2006. Janeiro. Subtribo Terminaliinae. Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Definindo Prioridades de Conservação Rodriguésia 36 : 81-104. Centro Nacional de Conservaça o em um Hotspot de Biodiversidade da Flora. Rua Pacheco Lea o 915, Global in Rocha, C.F.D., H.G. Bergallo, , Marquete N.F.D.S., Teixeira J., Valente 22460-030, M. Van Sluys, and M.A.S. Alves (Eds.). M.D.C. 2003. Terminalia L. Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, Biologia da Conservação : Essências. (Combretaceae) na Região Sudeste Brazil. RiMa Editora, São Carlos, SP. Brazil. do Brasil. Bradea 9: 99-123. [email protected]
11 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Authors: Mark Richardson and Scott Saddler
CONSERVATION ROLE FOR A NEW ARBORETUM IN CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
National Arboretum Canberra’s Central Valley for dignitary plantings (M. Richardson)
Introduction Minister, Jon Stanhope, announced the The National Arboretum’s conservation landscape architects Taylor Cullity and theme has provided it with an excellent n 2003, a bushfire that ravaged Lethlean, with the architects Tonkin opportunity to contribute to the Global Canberra, the capital city of Australia, Zulaikha Greer, as the winners with the Strategy for Plant Conservation and as Iwas the catalyst for the creation of an “100 Forests 100 Gardens” entry. The a national institution, it is already playing arboretum as originally envisaged by the design includes a series of single species its role in supporting the GSPC Targets 8 city’s designer, Walter Burley Griffin. forests, such as the existing ones of (ex situ conservation and restoration) and This is the National Arboretum Canberra 1. cedars and oaks, instead of the usual 14 (education and public awareness). The goal has been to create a place of wider arboretum collection of individual outstanding beauty, of international trees or small groups. The first trees were GSPC Target 8 standard and interest. As a part of this, planted in 2007 and ninety four of the it has provided an opportunity to promote forests have been planted so far. The In line with GSPC Target 8 2, one of the and in some cases conserve threatened National Arboretum opened to the public National Arboretum Canberra’s principal species and it provides a valuable future in February 2013. roles is to grow threatened species in the resource in Canberra for education and climatic conditions of Canberra, so as to research. Tree Conservation gather horticultural information that may assist their ex situ conservation generally. The arboretum has been developed on a An important aspect of the “100 Forests It will also be a source of propagation 250-hectare site near Lake Burley Griffin 100 Gardens” design concept was the material. about six kilometres from the centre of designers’ focus on rare and threatened Canberra. The site incorporates existing trees. While the conservation of As an important part of this, the National stands of Himalayan Cedar ( Cedrus Australia’s flora must still be seen as the Arboretum has been working with in- deodara) and Cork Oak ( Quercus suber ), priority for the majority of conservation country and international conservationists much of which were planted about 80 programs in Australia, the work that is to obtain provenanced propagation years ago. being done at the National Arboretum material of several of the species being takes into account its role to promote grown. One collection that has been A nation-wide design competition for the the importance of trees in a worldwide established using these connections National Arboretum Canberra commenced sense. Being the diplomatic capital of is Cedrus libani , the Cedar of Lebanon. in September 2004, and on 31 May 2005 Australia, Canberra is well placed to While the species has been growing in the Australian Capital Territory Chief fulfil such a role. Australia for some time and is reasonably
1www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/ 2Target 8: At least 75% of threatened species in ex situ collections, preferably in the 12 country of origin and at least 20% available for recovery and restoration programmes. 12-14 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Another notable indigenous species in the National Arboretum is the Wollemi pine ( Wollemia nobilis ). Since the first planting at the National Arboretum, much has been learned about the growing, and associated ex situ conservation, of this genetically limited species (Peakall et al ., 2003). There is considerable microhabitat variation in the forest where the trees were planted and the impact of that variation has obviously affected the growth of the trees. The part of the forest that appears to be most suitable for growing Wollemi pine is steeper, south facing and on the edge of a rock outcrop. In that relatively small area some of the trees planted in 2007 are now over 3 m high and have already produced seed. Outside that area, most trees have died and the planting strongly demonstrates National Arboretum Visitor Centre including interpretation (M. Richardson) the possibility for developing healthy ex situ collections in climatically challenging easy to acquire, a closer link with the this, testing from other collections around locations if the best microhabitats can be natural stands in Lebanon was sought. the world indicates that the National identified. It is possible that a second A contact was made in Lebanon with the Arboretum’s S. toromiro planting is still forest of the Wollemi pine will be Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute likely to have only a low level of genetic established in a section of the National who collected the seed at the Al Chouf diversity (Maunder et al ., 1999). Arboretum that strongly suits the tree’s Cedar Nature Reserve. The seed was habitat needs. then passed on to the National Although the majority of the forests are non Arboretum via the Millennium Seed Bank indigenous trees, about 20% of the One of the issues that has been taken into in Kew. By doing so it has not only made plantings are indigenous to Australia, with account when selecting the species for the other conservationists aware of currently six being threatened Eucalyptus National Arboretum is the possible or Australia’s new National Arboretum but species. These are Eucalyptus argophloia, recorded weediness of the trees and the could be an opportunity to promote the E.benthamii, E.lacrimans, E.michaeliana, weed status list produced by the CRC for species and the Al Chouf Cedar Nature E.morrisbyi and E.parvula . The Arboretum’s Australian Weed Management (Randall, Reserve through the Lebanese Embassy oldest eucalypt forest, Eucalyptus 2007) played an important role. As a result in Canberra. benthamii (planted in 2007), has started of this review, several threatened species producing seed and a request for seed have been rejected because of likely weed As some of the forests are being planted has already been received. In addition to issues in Canberra. However, this has not with species that are endangered or even the eucalypt forests, a diverse display of been an easy task as the variation in the critically endangered in the wild, the locally occurring eucalypt species is being localities in which plants have become amount of seed available can be very developed by a community-based group, weedy is substantial. As a result trees limited and this has had to be addressed Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park known to have been weedy in areas to enable the of planting a large forest lot. (STEP) and a mixed forest of Corymbia thought significantly different to Canberra An example is Sophora toromiro which maculata and E. tricarpa are being grown have sometimes been accepted. But the was endemic to the Pacific island of as research lots for the Australian National previous records must still not be ignored Rapa Nui (Easter Island) but is now is University. and it is noted in management plans that if extinct in the wild (Maunder et al ., 1999). As the National Arboretum was initially not able to produce a large enough number of plants for the total forest planting, it currently shares the forest lot with a ‘host species’. In this case it is Styphnolobium japonicum , a species from China, which has been planted with the Sophora toromiro and will be slowly replaced as the S. toromiro is propagated. Until the forest is only one species, propagation will be through vegetative material collected from across the S. toromiro planting of over 100 seedlings, not using seed collected from S. toromiro in the Arboretum. Despite Early plantings at the National Arboretum (M. Richardson)
13 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 a newly introduced species commences to show a weediness that could lead to it becoming naturalised, it will be removed.
GSPC Target 14
As an important part of its role, the National Arboretum is also actively supporting the GSPC’s Target 14 to promote ‘the importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation incorporated into communication, education and public awareness programmes’ .
Although the Arboretum has only been Easterly view from Dairy Farmers Hill (M. Richardson) open for two years it has already attracted over a million people, and its have planted a tree that is relevant to opportunity for the National Arboretum to importance in Canberra continues to their country or role. The majority of the further refine the genetic make-up of its climb. In addition, many members of the trees planted have been threatened collections and continue to play its role in Canberra community have generously species and it has always emphasised ex situ conservation. donated their time. The assistance the importance of the world’s trees. The provided has included the monitoring of domestic and international media References: tree growth and health as well as the accompanying these ceremonial tree interpretation of the forests, including a plantings have also been encouraged to , Maunder M.M., Culham, A., Bordeu, A., one and a half hour guided tour about promote the importance of global tree Allainguillaume, J. and Wilkinson, M. plant conservation. conservation. Such events will continue 1999. Genetic diversity and pedigree to provide a powerful avenue for for Sophora toromiro: a tree extinct in In addition, an education program for disseminating the conservation status of the wild . Molecular Ecology, 8 (5) pp. school children addresses the issue of particular tree species and the work 725-738. conserving our forests. It looks at how underway to maintain them. trees have changed over time and how , Peakall, R., Ebert, D., Scott, L.J., they have adapted to their environment. It Summary Meagher, P.F. and Offord, C.A. 2003. also addresses the role that institutions Comparative genetic study confirms like the National Arboretum must play in Although the National Arboretum has only exceptionally low genetic variation in preserving these trees for the future. been open for two years, its visitation and the ancient and endangered relictual level of community involvement has conifer, Wollemia nobilis Since the National Arboretum Canberra already shown the strong role that it (Araucariaceae ). Molecular Ecology, was established, a significant number of could play in increasing people’s 12 (9) pp. 2331-2343(13). dignitaries from different countries understanding of plant conservation. (including the UN Secretary-General) In addition, there will be an excellent , Randall, R.P. 2007. The introduced flora of Australia and its weed status . CRC for Australian Weed Management.
Mark Richardson Botanical Consultant 356 Mt Barker Road, Bridgewater, S.A. 5155 Australia Phone: +61-0431247214 Email: [email protected] Website: www.plantingforplants.com.au
Scott Saddler Manager National Arboretum Canberra Forest Drive, Weston Creek, A.C.T. Australia Email: [email protected]
Microhabitat most preferred by the Wollemi nobilis at the National Arboretum (M. Richardson)
14 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Author: Kirsty Shaw
THE GLOBAL TREES CAMPAIGN – SAFEGUARDING THE WORLD’S THREATENED TREES FROM EXTINCTION
Forest restoration work at Brackenhurst Botanic Garden, Kenya, has incorporated over 100 rare and threatened East African tree species (Barney Wilczak)
he Global Trees partners for spearheading innovative The number of trees threatened with Campaign (GTC) conservation programmes for the world’s extinction continues to rise as a result of Tis a joint initiative threatened trees, providing training to land clearance and habitat degradation, between Botanic build the capacity of other stakeholders unsustainable exploitation, and the Gardens Conservation to take action for the conservation of impact of invasive species, pests and International (BGCI) and threatened trees, and raising awareness diseases, among other threats. Individual Fauna & Flora of the importance of tree conservation. trees offer cultural, ecological and International (FFI). The Campaign was launched in 1999, responding to The World List of Threatened Trees (Oldfield et al ., 1998) which assessed over 7,000 tree species as globally threatened. Since its initiation, the GTC has gone from strength to strength, running projects that directly support the conservation of threatened tree species with partners in over 25 countries, leading training programmes to build capacity for tree conservation, and campaigning to scale up the use of threatened trees in planting schemes and conservation programmes.
Many of our key GTC partners are botanic gardens and arboreta. Their horticultural and research expertise, documented collections of living plants, seeds and herbarium specimens, and outreach potential make them excellent Diospyros nodosa , a Critically Endangered ebony endemic to Mauritius (George Schatz)
15 15-17 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 TreeSearch – a world list of trees
BGCI is developing a world list of trees which has been compiled from various data sources. Still in development, this list already contains 65,000 accepted names, making it the most comprehensive list of the world’s tree species. “TreeSearch” will provide a valuable resource to botanic gardens as well as many other stakeholders including international and national Euphorbia cussonioides , a Vulnerable succulent tree growing in the restored indigenous forestry and agroforestry bodies, land forest at Brackenhurst Botanic Garden, Kenya (BGCI) managers and conservation and restoration practitioners. ornamental values; they provide food, in addition to the IUCN Red List. This is medicine and timber, and some tree the most comprehensive global list of This searchable tree list provides the species can serve as flagships to drive threatened trees, and the results indicate backbone for the Global Tree larger conservation programmes. that over 9,600 trees are threatened with Assessments, led by the IUCN/SSC extinction. Global Tree Specialist Group (GTSG), GTC recognises that saving forests will not which aims to undertake conservation necessarily save the immense variety of GTC is working with The Morton assessments for all of the world’s tree tree species. It therefore adopts a species- Arboretum, U.S.A. to undertake a species by 2020. TreeSearch enables focused approach to drive and guide tree conservation assessment for all of the a gap analysis to be performed, to conservation efforts worldwide, through world’s oak species. This international identify where conservation four main approaches: effort will identify which oaks are assessments are lacking. threatened in the wild and in need of 1. Prioritisation of tree species urgent protection. TreeSearch has compiled data from of greatest conservation concern multiple information sources, as well Using BGCI’s PlantSearch database, as contributions from GTSG members. BGCI holds the Secretariat of the we undertake analyses to assess Additions from other sources are IUCN/SSC Global Trees Specialist Group, representation of threatened trees in ex welcome, with the aim of creating a the lead authority undertaking Red List situ collections. Our recent ex situ survey fully comprehensive global list of tree conservation assessments for trees to of the world’s most threatened trees species. TreeSearch, Red List determine their conservation status in the (assessed as Critically Endangered and assessments and PlantSearch wild. By publishing taxonomic and Endangered using IUCN Categories and collection data will allow BGCI, regionally focused Red List reports, and Criteria, or equivalent) has identified that along with our partners, to prioritise ensuring up to date assessments are only 1 in 4 of the most threatened trees conservation action for the world’s published on the IUCN Red List of are backed up in ex situ collections. Look most threatened trees. Threatened Species, we identify which out for the full report, including a list of trees are threatened in the wild and CR and EN trees and representation in ex To find out more about the IUCN/SSC highlight the need for conservation action. situ collections, which will be published Global Tree Specialist Group, visit: BGCI has recently compiled a list of and available to download from the BGCI http://globaltrees.org/iucn-ssc-global- globally threatened trees from 36 sources and GTC websites soon. tree-specialist-group/
GTC is working with Missouri Botanical To contribute to TreeSearch, please Garden, U.S.A. to undertake a global contact [email protected] ex situ survey of ebony collections. This study will assess the value of current conservation collections, and be used to guide and mobilize future collecting and conservation programmes to secure the 2. Empowering partners and future of the world’s ebonies. practitioners to undertake tree conservation Our prioritisation work underpins the GTC programme. The results of tree Red List With over 9,600 tree species threatened assessments and ex situ surveys are with extinction, conservation requires The African Zebrawood ( Microberlinia shared with our network of partners and action from a large number of bisulcata ) is endemic to Cameroon. the wider conservation community to stakeholders. GTC delivers training GTC works with partners in Cameroon inform which species should be programmes to partners and local to protect this Critically Endangered tree prioritised as a matter of urgent concern stakeholders to develop the technical in situ (FFI) for conservation action. skills and knowledge required to
16 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 With an estimated 500 million visitors each year, the world’s botanic gardens offer huge outreach potential for highlighting the need for tree conservation and the values that each individual tree species offers.
GTC is uniquely placed to play this advocacy role, drawing on lessons learned from 15 years of species-focused conservation action for threatened trees.
Conclusions
The GTC provides a vehicle for guiding conservation action for the world’s most threatened trees, for promoting the tree conservation work of our international implement effective conservation of protocols will be shared with NGOs and network of partners, and for sharing best threatened trees, in addition to the government bodies to enable a supply of practice. As GTC scales up its production of technical manuals and material to be cultivated for planting and programme of work, we will be calling guidance for non-specialists. population restoration programmes. upon and supporting botanic gardens and arboreta to take integrated Building the capacity of our partners and GTC adopts best practice, trials novel conservation action for the threatened other stakeholders scales up our approaches and shares outcomes to trees in their region, adopting a influence and ensures impact is ensure our projects provide inspiration collaborative, coordinated and informed sustained in the long-term. and guidance to other conservation approach to secure the future of the practitioners. world’s threatened trees. GTC is working with the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Harcourt In Kenya, GTC is working with For more information about the Global Arboretum, U.K. to deliver training in seed Brackenhurst Botanic Garden to Trees Campaign, please visit our website collection, propagation, nursery incorporate threatened trees in an area of www.globaltrees.org, follow us on Twitter management and recovery and restoration restored indigenous forest. Over 100 rare @globaltrees, or get in touch programmes to the national network of and threatened East African trees have [email protected] botanic gardens in Ethiopia. Training will been planted in an area of 40 hectares, empower and enable Ethiopian botanic providing ex situ protection and Kirsty Shaw gardens to lead conservation efforts for the producing valuable guidance to inform Conservation Manager, wide variety of endemic and endangered reintroduction efforts to support the BGCI tree species in Ethiopia. recovery of wild populations. 199 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 3BW UK 3. Taking direct action to secure 4. Mobilizing other groups to act [email protected] priority tree species and ensure for threatened trees populations are recovering in the wild By sharing the results of our prioritisation work, lessons learnt from practical Working in collaboration with our projects, and GTC resources, we work to international network of partners and encourage a larger group of protected area local stakeholders, GTC carries out direct managers, conservation NGOs, and practical interventions to reduce government agencies, tree planting groups threats, and ensure wild populations of and other stakeholders to protect, plant threatened tree species are stable or and promote conservation of threatened recovering. Actions include monitoring, trees as part of their work programmes. protection and sustainable use of in situ populations, ex situ conservation of living Through our website and social media and seed collections and recovery and channels, GTC also engages the public, restoration programmes. with the aim to inspire broader society interest in threatened trees and raise GTC is working with the Royal Botanic awareness of the need for their Gardens, Jordan, to develop propagation conservation. protocols for the country’s tree species that are restricted to small remaining Our international network of partners, Magnolia sinica , a Critically Endangered tree populations, at the edge of their range, including botanic gardens and arboreta, endemic to China, with only c. 50 mature with little natural regeneration. Propagation extends outreach ability considerably. individuals remaining in the wild (FFI)
17 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Authors: Alison KS Wee, Yann Surget-Groba and Richard Corlett
GENETIC OPTIMIZATION OF TREES IN LIVING COLLECTIONS
Improving conservation of threatened species – initial results of a pilot project ex-situ
The extent of rubber plantation expansion in Xishuangbanna, China
Introduction native flora. To ensure the long-term The need for genetic survival of these threatened species, the optimization n the face of rapid habitat loss and Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden heightened threats to biodiversity, ex- (XTBG) initiated the “Zero Extinction Conserving the maximum genetic Isitu conservation has become an Project”, which aims to prevent extinction diversity of threatened species in the increasingly important strategy to in Xishuangbanna (Fig. 1). Central to this living collection is a challenging preserve viable populations of threatened project is the ex situ conservation of undertaking. The main technical issue taxa. Ideally, ex-situ collections should threatened species in the living collection stems from the shear diversity and include genetically diverse individuals, in within XTBG, which is mainly intended for number of the species involved. An order to prevent inbreeding (Krauss et al ., species with recalcitrant seeds, i.e. those assessment of the conservation status of 2002), maintain the long-term with drying-sensitive seeds that cannot be 3,851 native angiosperm taxa in evolutionary potential of the species stored in the seed bank. Xishuangbanna identified 106 taxa as (Enßlin et al ., 2011) and to ensure the success of future reintroduction efforts (Hogbin & Peakall, 1999). However, the The Zero Extinction Project goals high cost of molecular work and the (1) To assess the conservation status of the total flora. absence of molecular markers that can (2) To prioritize and conserve threatened species via: be used for all angiosperm species have prevented genetic screening from being a In situ conservation Ex situ conservation routine procedure in establishing ex-situ populations (Heywood & Iriondo, 2003).
Species with recalcitrant seeds The Zero Extinction Project in Species with orthodox seeds Xishuangbanna, China Grow as genetically optimized Add to seed bank population in the living collection Xishuangbanna is a plant diversity hotspot, supporting 10% of China’s angiosperm flora. Agricultural expansion in recent Figure 1: Components of the Zero Extinction Project in Xishuangbanna Tropical decades had resulted in habitat loss and Botanical Garden. Genetic optimization aims to improve ex situ conservation of fragmentation, threatening the survival of species with recalcitrant seeds
18 18-20 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Identification of distributional range
endangered or critically endangered and In September 2014, the Center for 300 – 500 Field collection of seeds 493 taxa as vulnerable to extinction. Integrative Conservation in XTBG started individuals Many of these threatened species are exploring potential genotyping protocols. large trees and hence space is a major We focused our search on methods that constraint to the number of individuals a utilize next generation sequencing (NGS), Germination in nursery 10% botanical garden can preserve. This with the expectation that genotyping costs places great priority on genetically via NGS will become affordable and the optimizing the living collection, i.e. technology accessible to many botanical ensuring that the genetic diversity of a gardens in the near future. By enabling Identification of genetically 30 – 50 species is represented by the least botanical gardens to increase the capacity optimized population individuals number of individuals. Fig. 2 outlines a of their living collections without a simple work flow for genetic optimization substantial investment in space, genetic of living collections. optimization represents a large Establishment of the technological step forward in the ex situ living collection in XTBG The search for a practical conservation of tropical plant species. genetic optimization protocol Currently, the Zero Extinction Project initiated by XTBG has been replicated in Figure 2: A schematic diagram of the Traditionally, candidate individuals for ex- other gardens in the Chinese Union of workflow for genetic optimization situ conservation are genotyped with Botanical Gardens. Therefore, genetic species-specific, fast-mutating optimization can potentially be widely have (1) known and accessible microsatellites markers to select for a applied in these botanical gardens. populations, (2) known phenology, and (3) genetically diverse subgroup among fairly simple and rapid germination. them (Storme et al ., 2004; Dreisigacker et The requirement for universality narrowed al ., 2005). However, with a large number down our methodological options to Aglaia teysmanniana (Meliaceae) is an of target species from across the plant genotyping-by-sequencing, either with ideal focal species for the pilot study. phylogeny, employing species-specific Restriction-site associated DNA The seedlings are easy to identify in the markers for genetic screening is too sequencing (RAD-seq) (Baird et al . 2008) wild and can be found in clusters near to labour-intensive, time-consuming and or a newly developed PCR-based the mother tree. Collecting seedlings costly for the process to be practical. method termed MIG-seq (Suyama and from the wild allowed us to circumvent Consequently, genetic optimization of the Matsuki in preparation). Both methods the phonological and germination entire living collection remains a model generate large numbers of single challenges of sample collection. The practice that is yet to go beyond nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) loci, can species is distributed across most of textbooks and technical guidelines. be used without any prior knowledge of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Therefore, there is a need for a genomic sequences, and promise cheap Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. genotyping protocol that is rapid, and fast output. Data can be obtained In China, it is found only in South and universal and cheap. within a month from DNA extraction, and Southeast Yunnan, and is largely can cost less than 15 USD per sample restricted to limestone forests. Aglaia with multiplexing (Henri et al ., 2015; teysmanniana is listed as Near Suyama and Matsuki in preparation). Threatened on the IUCN Red List and Also, both RAD-seq and MIG-seq Vulnerable on the Zero Extinction Project protocols are sufficiently generic for assessment in Xishuangbanna. outsourcing. For future large-scale implementation of genetic optimization, We collected 418 seedlings from seven botanical gardens without molecular populations in four locations in facilities can choose to outsource the Xishuangbanna (Fig. 3). The GPS NGS library preparation and sequencing coordinate of the seedling patches were to private companies. recorded, leaf samples of potential
Aglaia teysmanniana : a pilot study for genetic optimization
A pilot study was initiated to test the genetic optimization protocol. Creating an ex-situ collection of rare and threatened species is a challenging task, in terms of locating the individuals or populations, and understanding the phenology (for fruit or seed collection) and germination requirements. In addition, there is a prolonged waiting period for fruiting and seed germination Aglaia teysmanniana sapling growing on prior to transplantation. Therefore, the Field collection of Aglaia teysmanniana limestone substrate focal species in the pilot study has to seedlings
19 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 (A) (C)
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Map of the sampling locations. (A) The location of Yunnan province (in red) in 2*#6"40&$*#)"/3%&$*#) <&/*+$*#)=()6%:**'6)&#/)%*,,3#-$"6>)) China. (B) The location of Xishuangbanna prefecture (in red) in Yunnan province. (C) The locations of XTBG (black star), the limestone forest fragments (red) where Aglaia teysmanniana seedlings were collected, and the limestone Future plan for transplanted seedlings forest fragments (white) where A. teysmanniana was not found mother trees in the vicinity were , Dreisigacker, S., Zhang, P., Warburton, Cottrell, J. and Tabbener, H. 2004. collected, and the seedlings were M., Skovmand, B., Hoisington, D. and Ex-situ conservation of Black poplar in transplanted to the XTBG nursery. Only Melchinger, A. 2005. Genetic diversity Europe: genetic diversity in nine gene 204 seedlings (49%) survived the among and within CIMMYT wheat bank collections and their value for transplantation process; root damage landrace accessions investigated with nature development . Theoretical and may be the cause of most of the SSRs and implications for plant genetic Applied Genetics, 108 : 969-981. mortality. The surviving seedlings will be resources management . Crop Science, genotyped with both RAD-seq and MIG- 45 : 653-661. , Suyama, Y., and Matsuki, Y. (submitted) seq to evaluate the cost, time and labour MIG-seq: an effective PCR-based requirements of both methods. , Enßlin, A., Sandner, T.M. and Matthies, method for genome-wide single D. 2011. Consequences of ex situ nucleotide polymorphism genotyping Future plans cultivation of plants: Genetic diversity, using the next-generation sequencing fitness and adaptation of the platform . Scientific Reports. The genotype of the seedlings (from both monocarpic Cynoglossum officinale L. RAD-seq and MIG-seq) will be analyzed, in botanic gardens . Biological Acknowledgement and the most genetically diverse 10% of Conservation, 144 : 272-278. the total seedling population will be This project is funded by the China included in XTBG’s living collection (Fig. 4). , Henri, H., Cariou, M., Terraz, G., Postdoctoral Science Foundation and the Among these, several individuals will be Martinez, S., El Filali, A., Veyssiere, M., Chinese Academy of Sciences. The transplanted into the garden area that is Duret, L. and Charlat, S. 2015. authors benefitted greatly from discussion open to the public for education purposes. Optimization of multiplexed RADseq with Frank Rheindt and Yoshihisa Suyama. The remaining seedlings will either be libraries using low-cost adaptors . transplanted to other botanical gardens (as Genetica, 143 , 139-143. Alison Wee a backup living collection) or adopted by Postdoctoral Fellow local schools and communities as part of , Heywood, V.H. and Iriondo, J.M. 2003. Center for Integrative Conservation XTBG’s outreach program. Plant conservation: old problems, new Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical perspectives . Biological Conservation, Garden Upon completion of the pilot study, the 113 : 321-335. Chinese Academy of Sciences most efficient and low-cost genotyping Yunnan, China method of the two will be used to , Hogbin, P.M. and Peakall, R. 1999. [email protected] improve the ex situ conservation of other Evaluation of the contribution of threatened tree species in the Zero genetic research to the management of Extinction Project’s assessment, e.g. the endangered plant Zieria prostrata. Magnolia hypolampra, Cephalotaxus Conservation Biology, 13 : 514-522. mannii and Goniothalamus cheliensis . , Krauss, S.L., Dixon, B. and Dixon, K.W. References 2002. Rapid genetic decline in a translocated population of the , Baird, N.A., Etter, P.D., Atwood, T.S., endangered plant Grevillea scapigera. Currey, M.C., Shiver, A.L., Lewis, Z.A., Conservation Biology, 16 : 986-994. Selker, E.U., Cresko, W.A. and Johnson, E.A. 2008. Rapid SNP , Storme, V., Broeck, A.V., Ivens, B., discovery and genetic mapping using Halfmaerten, D., Van Slycken, J., sequenced RAD markers . PloS one, 3. Castiglione, S., Grassi, F., Fossati, T., Transplanted seedlings in the XTBG nursery
20 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Authors: Joachim Gratzfeld, Gregor Kozlowski, Laurence Fazan, Stéphane Buord, Giuseppe Garfì, Salvatore Pasta, Panagiota Gotsiou, Christina Fournaraki, Dimos Dimitriou
WHITHER RARE RELICT TREES IN A CLIMATE OF RAPID CHANGE?
Conservation challenges of Zelkova sicula and the Caenozoic Era (some 55 – 2.5 million BP). Fossil discoveries attributed to the Z. abelicea – two Mediterranean narrow endemics genus, dating back more than 50 million years, give proof of the plant’s once wider, circumboreal occurrence. Today the highly disjunct distribution of the six extant species – Z. sicula, Z. abelicea, Z. Introduction carpinifolia, Z. schneideriana, Z. sinica and Z. serrata – from the Mediterranean pecimens of Zelkova spp., which over to the Caucasus and East Asia, may be up to 1,000 years old, make this genus a fascinating subject for Sfound in places of worship and phylogenetic and biogeographic studies contemplation in eastern Asia, give to advance the understanding of evidence to the ancient and close evolutionary processes. relationship of people with these trees. Likewise, traditional herbal medicine, household items and other objects made from various parts of the tree, are testimony to the strong cultural and socio-economic values and customs associated with this genus.
Zelkova serrata . Buddhist shrine, Hita, Relict trees Japan. (S. Bétrisey) Zelkova species form part of the Arcto- Tertiary relict flora that covered large Zelkova zelkovifolia . Pliocene. parts of the northern hemisphere during Willershausen, Germany. (H. R. Siegel)
Z. carpinifolia Z. sicula Z. serrata Z. abelicea Z. sinica Z. schneideriana
Zelkova (Ulmaceae)
Shepherd’s crooks (‘Katsouna’) made from Zelkova abelicea . Omalos, Crete. (G. Kozlowski) Global distribution of Zelkova spp. Map by Natural History Museum Fribourg, Switzerland
21 21-25 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Unfortunately, the relict nature of the on the north-eastern slopes of the Iblei genus is no recipe for survival in a rapidly Mountains (south-eastern Sicily), the transforming environment. As elsewhere populations are found in open forest in the world, habitat loss, communities with other tree species such overexploitation, fast changing climatic as Quercus suber, Q. virgiliana, Olea conditions and many other drivers of europaea var. sylvestris, Pyrus spinosa change exert high pressure on remaining and Calicotome infesta . Z. sicula leaf withering. (G. Garfì) natural Zelkova populations, especially the two Mediterranean species, Z. sicula Staying alive in a changing Two populations – two clones: and Z. abelicea . These species occur in climate two individuals? exceptionally isolated and fragmented locations. Among the rarest trees in the Several of the morphological and life Recent studies (Christe et al ., 2014b) world, they require specific management traits of Z. sicula can be interpreted as suggest that Z. sicula has been subject to approaches combining a set of integrated the result of a long-lasting process of severe isolation and genetic in and ex situ conservation measures. adaptation to a rather suboptimal impoverishment. Fructification is irregular environment. Unlike the other Zelkova and seeds are most probably sterile due Zelkova sicula – one of the rarest species, Z. sicula is a shrub or a small to its triploidy. Regeneration relies on trees in Sicily and in the world tree. Characteristic for plants at the limit vegetative mechanisms such as root of their distribution range, this habit is suckering and layering; as a result, Within the genus, Z. sicula Di Pasq., Garfì most likely a response to water shortage individuals in both genetically & Quézel has a particularly remarkable in the current habitat. The location of impoverished but distinct populations are position. Discovered in 1991 (Di Pasquale both populations restricted to the bottom assumed to be of clonal origin; hence, et al ., 1992), this narrow endemic is of gullies and along narrow streams, each population could be regarded as a known from only two locations. Both suggests that these micro-habitats play a single individual. This, in addition to the populations cover an area of occupancy key role in enabling the species to extended geographic isolation, has most of less than one hectare and include a withstand drought. Nonetheless, extreme likely caused a sharp decline in gene flow few hundred small trees each. Occurring environmental hazards, such as and a decrease in intra-specific genetic between 350 and 450 m above sea level prolonged drought can cause moderate variability. On the other hand, clonality to severe damage, ranging from withering and vegetative reproduction are adding a of leaves to dieback of branches and further trait of uniqueness to this species stems. What is more, rising habitat in the genus Zelkova ; as with Lomatia fragmentation and livestock grazing tasmanica (Proteaceae) – known from a represent major further threats to both single, clonal population estimated to be populations. Due to its rarity, Z. sicula has several ten thousands of years old (Lynch been included as Critically Endangered et al ., 1998), each Z. sicula population (CR) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened could potentially represent a many Species. thousand year-old genetic unit.
Z. sicula . Population of Ciranna, Sicily. (G. Garfì)
Distribution of Z. sicula (red colour). Map by Natural History Museum Fribourg, Young tree of Z. sicula developing by root Switzerland Z. sicula micro-habitat.(G. Garfì) suckering. (G. Garfì)
22 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Rescue trials in progress between 900 and 1,800 m above sea level, where it grows in mixed stands with Since 2011, a major project funded Acer sempervirens, Quercus coccifera through the European Commission EC Life and occasionally Cupressus Programme (http://www.zelkovazione.eu/) sempervirens . Populations of Z. abelicea is implementing a range of integrated in occur in all four main mountain ranges and ex situ conservation actions in the including Levka Ori, Psiloritis, Dhikti and areas of knowledge and monitoring, active Thripti. Primarily, they occupy north- conservation, expertise, and facing slopes and areas around dolines education/awareness and communication. (sinkholes) with adequate and relatively To date, a number of key milestones have constant water supply, but the species is been achieved, including the exclusion of Bosco Pomieri, Madonie Mountains, also found near river beds and gullies, grazing through fencing and a sustainable 1340 masl, a potential introduction site. where moisture tends to remain close to management plan involving formal (G. Garfì) the surface during the dry summer period. agreements with local stakeholders, as well as the legal protection of the target better match for the ecological species through the enactment of a requirements of Z. sicula . This Threatened and fragmented Councillor’s Decree by the Regional conservation approach is applied as the populations Department of Environment. ‘last resort’ for narrow endemics confined to very specialised habitats and More than 40 populations of Z. abelicea The recent successful development of increasingly encroached upon by are known, mainly in Levka Ori (ca. 30) protocols for in vitro and in vivo unfavourable environmental conditions. and in the Dhikti Mountains (ca. 10). Only vegetative multiplication is a further major two populations occur in the Psiloritis step towards effective in and ex situ Zelkova abelicea – a Cretan Mountains, and one small population in conservation, with the poor intra-specific persisting against all the odds the Thripti Mountains. This fragmented variability in the species facilitating the distribution occurred already prior to the establishment of the field collections. Zelkova abelicea (Lam.) Boiss. is the only modern, botanical exploration of Crete endemic tree of the east-Mediterranean (ca. 300 years ago) and forms part of a island of Crete. The species is found in lively debate whether Crete was ever open, mountain forest communities dominated by continuous woodland
Z. sicula in vitro rooted plantlet. (A. Carra)
Introduction to other ecosystems?
Securing viable populations in situ nevertheless remains the main conservation challenge. Introduction to other ecosystems is being studied to establish further populations in new locations. These have been identified using the guidelines for ‘assisted colonisation’ (Brooker et al. , 2011), and build on paleo-ecological data and observations of specimens grown under different ex situ conditions which reveal the growth potential of Z. sicula into actual trees (Garfì et al. , 2011; Garfì and Buord, 2012). These findings suggest that more humid and cooler climatic conditions typical to montane mixed deciduous forests with Fagus, Acer , deciduous Quercus , etc. may offer a Z. abelicea , Omalos, Crete. (J. Gratzfeld)
23 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Each mountain chain represents a separate genetic and conservation unit
Because of the extreme fragmentation, gene flow between distant populations is highly unlikely, mainly because of the limited dispersal capacity of seeds. This was confirmed by recent genetic studies demonstrating that Z. abelicea populations are highly genetically diverse Distribution of Z. abelicea (red colour). within and between the four mountain Map by Natural History Museum Fribourg, regions (Christe et al ., 2014a). This Switzerland indicates on the one hand that the colonization of Crete by Z. abelicea is very before the arrival of man. To date, it is not ancient (probably before the early resolved if the fragmented pattern of Z. Miocene, some 25 million years ago), and, abelicea populations is the result of on the other hand, that each mountain Seed collections for ex situ conservation anthropogenic habitat transformation or if chain with Z. abelicea populations should of Z. abelicea at the Mediterranean its occurrence always consisted of a be considered as a separate genetic unit. Agronomic Institute of Chania, Crete. patchy distribution (Kozlowski et al. , 2014). (G. Kozlowski) Ex situ conservation challenges Recent studies confirm however, that all shepherds and other stakeholders (e.g. populations are subject to threats from In comparison with other Zelkova local administration, municipalities, overgrazing and browsing (goats and species, especially those from Eastern national park administration), and sheep), as well as from soil erosion, Asia, Z. abelicea is underrepresented in accompanied by long-term scientific drought and fires. As a result, all stands botanic garden collections (Kozlowski et surveys to monitor progress and allow of Z. abelicea are dominated by dwarfed al ., 2012). In addition, only a very small adaptive management. and heavily browsed individuals. This portion of the genetic variability in natural habit is especially pronounced in populations is found in ex situ collections Ongoing conservation action relatively small and isolated populations (Christe et al ., 2014b). In fact, all (e.g. in Thripti where there are no large investigated individuals cultivated in Based on the thorough research work trees at all). This is of great concern to botanic gardens and arboreta, originate undertaken in recent years, an conservation as only fully developed from one single region of the Omalos international, interdisciplinary and trees are able to flower and produce fruits Plateau (Levka Ori), while the other integrated conservation programme for Z. (Fazan et al. , 2012; Kozlowski et al ., genetically distant populations do not abelicea has been initiated. The 2014). Z. abelicea has been included as appear to be in ex situ collections. implementation of the project is assumed Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List of by the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute Threatened Species. Future ex situ conservation efforts will need of Chania (MAICh) in collaboration with to consider the entire genetic diversity of the Forest Directorate of Chania (FDC) as the species, whilst avoiding genetic well as with forest agencies from other mixture of differentiated populations from administrative regions of Crete. the four mountain chains, especially when International coordination and scientific establishing field living collections support is assured by researchers and (Kozlowski et al ., 2012, 2014). conservationists from the Universities of Furthermore, dwarfed and heavily browsed Fribourg (Switzerland) and Athens populations do not produce seeds. (Greece), Botanic Gardens Conservation Vegetative propagation is the only option International (BGCI, United Kingdom) and to establish collections of these the Institute of Biosciences and populations, enhancing the complexity and BioResources of the National Research costs of ex situ conservation measures. Council in Palermo (Sicily, Italy). Amongst others, new and genetically representative In situ conservation challenges ex situ collections (field living collections as well as seed banks) are being Conventional measures of protection and established using seeds and vegetative management, including effective plant material sampled from all mountain methods to limit and/or completely regions where Z. abelicea occurs. prevent livestock grazing and browsing Additionally, selected pilot plots have should be implemented by means of been fenced and are regularly monitored fencing, and should comprise the entire by the team of MAICh and researchers Isolated, shrub habit population of range of the genetic diversity of the and students of the University of Fribourg. Z. abelicea in the Thripti Mountains, species. Such measures require to be What is more, a range of local and Eastern Crete. (G. Kozlowski) developed in close collaboration with international campaigns and public
24 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 As elsewhere in the world, ex situ , Di Pasquale, G., Garfì, G. & Quézel P. conservation of Zelkova faces the 1992. Sur la présence d’un Zelkova challenge of ensuring genetically nouveau en Sicile sudorientale representative collections, preferably in the (Ulmaceae) . Biocosme Mésogéen, countries of the species’ natural 8-9 : 401-409. distribution, where current ex situ holdings are still largely inadequate. The complexity , Fazan L., Stoffel M., Frey D., Pirintsos S. of capturing the whole range of a species’ & Kozlowski G., 2012. Small does not genetic variation for ex situ conservation is mean young: age estimation of severely well illustrated by the distinct genetic browsed trees in anthropogenic diversity of Z. abelicea found in each of its Mediterranean landscapes. Biological four main locations of occurrence. While Conservation 153 : 97-100. the remoteness and inaccessibility of some of the last remaining natural Zelkova , Garfì G., Carimi F., Pasta S., Rühl J. & Fenced pilot sites with Z. abelicea . On populations prevent the broader public Trigila S., 2011. Additional insights on the left: non-fenced and heavily grazed from appreciating their grandeur in the the ecology of the relic tree Zelkova area. Xeropotamos, Crete. (M. Beffa) wild, ex situ collections at botanic gardens sicula di Pasquale, Garfì et Quézel and associated scientific institutions, play (Ulmaceae) after the finding of new outreach events have been realized, a critical role in enhancing environmental population . Flora, 206 : 407-417. including scientific seminars, conferences awareness and education. Linking reports and exhibitions, accompanied by a series of fossil finds with their extant relatives and , Garfì G. & Buord S., 2012. Relict of first-rate public outreach materials. new population discoveries, Zelkova and species and the challenges for relict plants in general, can provide conservation: the emblematic case of Conclusions compelling stories to reach out to the Zelkova sicula Di Pasquale, Garfì et wider society. Relict species from ancient Quézel and the efforts to save it from The conservation challenges presented by times not only function as storehouses of extinction . Biodiversity Journal, Zelkova spp. have attracted the attention information of the Earth’s transformations 3 (4): 281-296. of researchers, conservation practitioners over millions of years but also deliver a and horticulturalists in a joint endeavour to diverse range of ecosystem services. , Kozlowski G., Frey D., Fazan L., Egli B., secure the remaining genetic diversity in Though ultimately a matter of societal Bétrisey S., Gratzfeld J., Garfi G. & the genus. Inspired by this shared choice, their conservation may therefore Pirintsos S., 2014. Tertiary relict tree concern, since 2010, a highly present a vital element in the development Zelkova abelicea (Ulmaceae): interdisciplinary and international research of future ecosystem management distribution, population structure and group represented by partners from approaches, especially in a period of conservation status . Oryx 48 : 80-87. Europe, the Caucasus and East Asia have unprecedented, rapid global change. been participating in the development and , Kozlowski G., Gibbs D., Huan F., Frey implementation of an integrated References D. & Gratzfeld J., 2012. Conservation of conservation action plan for Zelkova spp. threatened relict trees through living ex (Kozlowski G. & Gratzfeld J., 2013). , Brooker, R., Britton, A., Gimona, A., situ collections: lessons from the global Lennon, J. & Littlewood, N. 2011. survey of the genus Zelkova The isolated occurrence and rarity of Z. Literature review: species translocations (Ulmaceae). Biodiversity and sicula and Z. abelicea provide an ideal as a tool for biodiversity conservation Conservation, 21 : 671-685. context to practise integrated conservation during climate change. Scottish Natural action and serve as models for Heritage Commissioned Report No.440, , Kozlowski G. & Gratzfeld J., 2013. safeguarding other threatened species. 68 pages. Zelkova – an ancient tree. Global status While the exclusion of grazing pressure and conservation action . Natural such as through fencing is the most , Christe, C., Kozlowski, G., Frey, D., History Museum Fribourg, Switzerland, pragmatic measure for immediate Bétrisey, S., Maharramova, E., Garfì, G., 60 pages. protection in the wild, long-term in situ Pirintsos, S. & Naciri Y. 2014a. Footprints conservation efforts need to be of past intensive diversification and , Lynch A.J.J., Barnes R.W., Cambecèdes implemented in close collaboration with structuring in the genus Zelkova J. & Vaillancourt R.E., 1998. Genetic local stakeholders and anchored in (Ulmaceae) in south-western Eurasia . Evidence that Lomatia tasmanica national legislation and policy. Systematic Journal of Biogeography. 41 : 1081-1093. (Proteaceae) Is an Ancient Clone . scientific evaluations to monitor progress Australian Journal of Botany 46 : 25-33. and allow adaptive management will in , Christe, C., Kozlowski, G., Frey, D., turn, inform the nature of population Fazan, L., Bétrisey, D., Pirintsos, S., Joachim Gratzfeld reinforcement programmes and options for Gratzfeld, J. & Naciri Y. 2014b. Botanic Gardens Conservation potential introduction to other analogous Do botanic garden collections capture International, environments in situations where the the genetic variation of wild 199 Kew Road, Richmond, original habitat has been lost, or no longer populations? A molecular analysis of Surrey, TW9 3BW, United Kingdom, provides a viable option for the species two relict tree species Zelkova abelicea [email protected] survival. This is especially urgent for Z. and Z. carpinifolia. Biodiversity and sicula , known from only two locations. Conservation 23 : 2945-2959.
25 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Authors: Chris Birkinshaw, Karen Freeman and George Schatz
EX SITU CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED MALAGASY TREES AT PARC IVOLOINA
Introduction
he flora of Madagascar is both highly diverse (with 11,000 named Tspecies of flowering plants and ferns, and an estimated 3,000 species that have yet to be named) and largely endemic to the island (with ca. 90% of species known from nowhere else) (Callmander et al . 2011). Unfortunately this botanical wealth is also highly threatened by the survival tactics of the impoverished and growing human population, many of which remain largely dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods. Following centuries of ever increasing habitat degradation, the country is now faced with a wave of species extinctions. Typically the most The nurseryman at Parc Ivoloina (Jean Francois) with seedlings of Schizolaena threatened species occur as tiny noronhae growing strongly at Parc Ivoloina populations in small, degraded fragments of natural vegetation. Ideally, these 1,900 species (pers. comm. Stuart Cable, international zoos and botanical gardens. fragments should be included within 2015). However, many of the trees of Between October 2006 and August 2011, protected areas but this rarely occurs Madagascar’s evergreen forests have with the financial support of the National because of their small size, degraded seeds that do not survive normal seed Geographic Society, Conservation nature and the normal absence of large, banking protocols (i.e. they are International and St Louis Zoo, MFG and prestigious animals. Thus, the most viable recalcitrant). Currently the only option for the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) alternative to extinction for these species these species is conservation as growing worked in partnership to collect and will be ex situ conservation followed, plants at safe locations: either gardens or propagate material of 36 threatened tree where possible, by introduction into possibly field gene-banks. species from central eastern Madagascar, secure and appropriate native habitats. and then grow these plants within the Madagascar’s only significant native plant Parc Ivoloina. To date the most important contribution collections are at the National Botanic to the ex situ conservation of Garden at Parc Tsimbazaza, Antananarivo; Collecting material, propagation Madagascar’s flora has been the Royal the Antsokay Botanical Garden, where a and planting out Botanic Garden, Kew’s Millennium Seed collection of plants from the south west of Bank (MSB) Project that through a Madagascar is maintained; and the former The target species for this project were partnership with Madagascar’s Silo forestry station at Parc Ivoloina that is now selected using information obtained from Nationale des Graines Forestières has managed by the Madagascar Fauna and the literature and experts. Prior to collected and preserved the seeds of ca. Flora Group (MFG) – a consortium of launching fieldwork to locate the target
26 26-29 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 species, a dossier was compiled on each that included information concerning their distribution, identification, vernacular names, phenology, and images of the species. Sometimes exact location information was available and the species was re-found easily. However, in many cases, such detailed location information was unavailable and then we found that soliciting the help of local people was the most effective way of relocating the species.
Priority was given to the collection of seeds over the collection of material for vegetative propagation. This is because the seeds, if selected carefully, normally germinate easily and grow into strong Although many fruits of Baudouinia louvelii were obtained, nearly all the seeds within saplings, represent a genetically diverse had been predated population and their collection has little negative impact on the parent plant. one part well-rotted organic matter and To illustrate some of the species that Thus field trips were planned to coincide one part alluvial soil. The seeds were were included in our project consider the with the period when our analysis of covered with compost to a depth of following three examples: Schizolaena herbarium specimens suggested that the approximately their own width. noronhae (Sarcolaenaceae) from target species were likely to be fruiting. Andohakakavy Forest; Pentachlaena To maximize the genetic diversity of the When the seeds had germinated and the betamponensis (Sarcolaenaceae) from collections the team tried to follow the seedlings had grown three to five leaves, Betampona Reserve, and Rhopalocarpus seed collection protocols developed by they were pricked out into plots. These parvifolius (Sphaerosepalaceae) from the MSB Project (Royal Botanic Gardens remained in the nursery, being watered as Ambila Lemaintso Forest. Kew, 2001). Voucher herbarium required, until they had attained a height specimens were made to accompany of 30 to 60 cm, at which time they were Schizolaena noronhae is classified as each collection. When we were unable to planted out into the Park. Planting out Critically Endangered because it is now obtain un-predated, ripe seeds we was conducted during the wet season. known from less than 100 individuals from resorted to vegetative propagation by Six weeks prior to planting the bamboo two adjacent, unprotected and highly cuttings or air-layering. roof sheltering the saplings was first threatened littoral forests. With the partially removed and then totally assistance of a local person, who diligently The material collected by field botanists removed, to “harden off” the young monitored the phenology of the plants at was propagated in a simple nursery at plants to the sunny conditions they would Andohakakavy, we were able to obtain 500 Parc Ivoloina which was constructed of likely experience at the planting site. seeds. From these we obtained 249 locally available materials. The seeds seedlings of which 82 were planted at Parc were cleaned to remove traces of the Pests and diseases attacking the plants in Ivoloina (72 of these survive and are fruit, sorted to identify and discard the nursery were controlled using growing well today) and 167 were used to immature, rotten or parasitized seeds, treatments made from locally available reinforce the wild population. and sown. According to their size, the materials. The most effective of these, seeds were either sown in seed beds of used to control insect pests, was made by Pentachlaena betamponensis is also compost or directly into polythene pots crushing chili peppers and mixing the classified as Critically Endangered filled with compost. The composition of resultant pulp with water. This was painted because it is known only from the the compost was: two parts river sand, on affected plants in the afternoon. Betampona Reserve where we have been able to locate just 12 individuals. During After planting, the location of each young the entire project these individuals were plant was defined using a description and monitored by a local guide (Roilahy) but precise geo-coordinates provided by a all remained sterile. Then in November global positioning system unit. Each 2011, after the conclusion of this project, plant was marked with an individually we were notified that Roilahy, on his own coded aluminum tag. initiative, had continued to monitor these plants and successfully obtained seeds Outcomes and propagated 200 seedlings. One hundred of these seedlings were planted From the original list of 36 target species, at Parc Ivoloina and 95 have been 20 species are now growing at Parc planted in the “protection zone” of the Ivoloina. Some of these species are Betampona Reserve. Survival of the represented by many individuals and seedlings planted at Parc Ivoloina after So many plants of Sarcolaena grandiflora some by one sole plant. 12 months was 100%.
27 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 (Sacrolaenaceae) from Tampolo (Fenerive-Est). While we re-found three individuals of this plant at this site we were not able to obtain viable seeds despite several visits, nor were we successful in propagating this species using air-layering. It would seem that this species does not flower and fruit annually and local people report that several years may pass between successive fruiting events.
Challenges and perspectives
In total this project cost just $50,000 yet has enabled 20 threatened Malagasy trees to be conserved ex situ. While we are proud of this result, we are also aware that our work has some important Mammea castrae is known only from the Analalava forest where we were able to locate weaknesses, these are listed and ten mature plants only discussed below.
Rhopalocarpus parvifolius is another On four occasions, our team and other • Low genetic diversity in collections Critically Endangered tree. It is now known botanists have unsuccessfully from less than 50 individuals that are all searched for this species at this site In several cases the seedlings now found in just two forest fragments that are (and other sites nearby) and it is likely growing at the Park were derived from both unprotected and highly threatened by that this species is now extinct. seeds (or cuttings) collected from a small shifting cultivation, timber extraction and number of parent trees and thus our ex situ charcoal production. Although the trees at • Seven species were located in the wild population is likely to include low genetic Ambila Lemaintso were monitored for but no viable seeds were obtained and diversity. Little can be done about this nearly three years they never produced attempts to propagate the species situation when the remaining wild fruits therefore we resorted to trying to using techniques for vegetative population is very small but, in some propagate this species by air-layering. In propagation failed. One of these cases, the wild population was larger but total we made 20 attempts at air-layering species was the endangered tree few individuals were fruiting at the time our but only two of these succeeded. One of Pentachlaena orientalis collectors visited the site. In this latter these young plants was planted locally to raise awareness of the plight of this species, and the other was planted at Species name Number of individuals Parc Ivoloina. surviving to 2014
There are several reasons why 16 of the Baudouinia louvelii 20 target species were not successfully Chaetocarpus rabaraba 1 integrated into the ex situ collection Dypsis hovomantsina 7 including: Dypsis poivreana 30 Hyperacanthus ravinensis 214 • Two species were found to be Leptolaena raymondii 127 synonymous with other quite Mammea castrae 1 widespread species and therefore Mantalania longipedunculata 82 dropped from the list. These include Marojejya darianii 194 Hubertianthus cardiostegius that is now Melanophylla sp. nov. 1 considered to be a synonym of the Molinaea brevipes 138 Macrostelia laurina (Malvaceae), and Orania trispatha 397 Tinopsis tampolensis that is a synonym Pentachlaena betamponensis 100 of Tinopsis conjugata (Sapindaceae). Poupartiopsis spondiocarpus 34 Rhodolaena leroyana 329 • Seven species were not located in the Rhopalocarpus parvifolius 1 wild and at least three of these are Sakonala madagascariensis 5 likely to be extinct at the location Sarcolaena grandiflora 99 where they were sought. Among these Schizolaena manomboensis 2 species is Gnidia neglecta Schizolaena noronhae 72 (Thymelaeaceae) that is known only from a single herbarium specimen collected in 1912 from Andevoranto. Endangered Malagasy trees now growing at Parc Ivoloina
28 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 to monitor the target species and either , Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wakehust inform us when fruiting occurs or to Place. 2001. A field manual for seed collect fruit themselves and dispatch collectors . http://www.kew.org/sites these samples to us. In this latter option /default/files/English_kppcont_035653_ it is important to provide the local A%20field%20manual%20for%20seed collector with training in seed collection %20collectors.pdf techniques. , Wyatt A. and Sucher R. 2014. • Lack of secure system for The evolution of living collections documenting and tracking management to support plant accessions conservation . BGjournal 11 (2): 07-10
A major weakness of this project is that Acknowledgements although each seedling planted in Parc Ivoloina has been carefully labelled, the This project was a team effort and we information linking the code on the label would particularly like to thank: Adolphe to its origin and history is spread between Lehavana, Cyprien Miandrimanana, diverse field-books and computers. Monique Randriatsivery, Margianne Such information is clearly very Hariline Rasoafaranaivo, and Honoré susceptible to loss and it is now essential Andriamiarinoro for their hard work in that we invest in capturing this seeking the target species and collecting information in a secure system. For this material for propagation; and also Jean reason we are currently exploring François for propagating seeds. Less than 50 individuals of Mantalania adapting MBG’s Live Collections longipedunculata (Rubiaceae) remain in Monitoring System for this purpose We also gratefully acknowledge the Kilalao Forest, Ile Ste Marie (Wyatt and Sucher, 2014). courtesies extended by the Government of Madagascar (Direction Générale de la situation it is desirable to organise multiple • No long-term funding available Gestion des Ressources Forestières). collection trips to the same population thereby sampling different individuals Serious ex situ conservation requires Chris Birkenshaw during each trip. Alternatively we could long-term funding. Yet most Madagascar Research and seek to practise vegetative propagation conservation funding available in Conservation Program, more frequently and improve its outcomes. Madagascar is for short periods only, and Missouri Botanical Garden, Two of the species now growing in Parc currently there is no support to continue BP 3391, Antananarivo, Madagascar Ivoloina’s collection were propagated the ex situ conservation of plants at Parc [email protected] through air-layering or cuttings Ivoloina. Therefore it is fortunate that the (Rhopalocaprus parvifolius, Melanophylla target species of this project are all sp. nov .), but we tried unsuccessfully to woody plants and now are sufficiently big propagate several of the other species and vigorous to require little further care. using these techniques. Even for the two The project described here is best species that were successfully propagated considered as a pilot project during using these techniques, the success rate which we were able to trial the viability of was low and consequently both species ex situ plant conservation in Madagascar are represented in the collection by just and develop low-cost and effective one individual. However it is likely that our protocols. Generally the results were propagation protocols could be improved very positive and with the integration of to increase the efficacy of these the improvements listed above this approaches. approach could constitute a very realistic and effective method of preventing the • Wasted expenditure on futile field extinction of a portion of Madagascar’s trips tree flora for which no other conservation options are currently available. The most important expenditure during this project was the organisation of field References trips to locate and collect seeds from the target species. Therefore it is of concern , Callmander, M. W., Phillipson, P. B., when, despite careful planning informed Schatz, G. E., Andriambololonera, S., by the phenology of the species, field Rabarimanarivo, M., Rakotonirina, N., trips failed to coincide with the fruiting of Raharimampionona, J., Chatelain, C., the target species. A solution to this Gautier, L. & Lowry, P. P. 2011. The problem, that we trialled with some endemic and non-endemic vascular success in the later stages of the project, flora of Madagascar updated . Plant The planting plan for part of the ex situ is to identify and motivate a local person Ecology and Evolution, 144 (2): 121-125. collectoin at Parc Ivoloina
29 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Author: Murphy Westwood
THE GLOBAL TREES CAMPAIGN AND ARBNET WORKING TOGETHER TO ADVANCE PROFESSIONALISM AND TREE CONSERVATION IN ARBORETA
Discussions between staff from the Harcourt Arboretum in the UK and Wondo Genet College Arboretum, Ethiopia (BGCI)
ArbNet – the interactive community of arboreta – and its ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program set industry standards for arboretum management, collections curation, and scientific and educational emphasized that even small gardens can take steps to improve the conservation programming among tree-focused gardens. quality of their collections and work to support the mission of the Global Trees In collaboration with the Global Trees Campaign, Campaign (Cavender et al ., 2015). To encourage and support gardens of all sizes the Accreditation Program supports and encourages to participate in tree conservation, ArbNet (www.arbnet.org) is working in an active role in tree conservation at the higher levels collaboration with BGCI to facilitate more engagement by gardens in the Global of arboretum accreditation. Trees Campaign.
ArbNet is an interactive, collaborative, global community of arboreta that Introduction act as a community to engage in active supports the common purposes and tree conservation initiatives. While interests of tree-focused public gardens. ith at least 10% of the world’s acknowledging that gardens have a variety Sponsored and coordinated by The tree species threatened with of missions and goals they seek to fulfill Morton Arboretum (Lisle, USA), ArbNet Wextinction, there is a great need (e.g. display, public education, horticulture was launched on Arbor Day (April 29), for gardens to support tree conservation training, providing green space to the 2011 to facilitate the sharing of efforts both ex situ and in situ . The Global community, etc.), and that gardens of knowledge, experience, and other Trees Campaign provides the mechanism different sizes will have varying capacities resources to help arboreta meet their and guidance through which gardens can for active conservation, it should be institutional goals and to raise
30 30-33 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 FOUR LEVELS OF ACCREDITATION Join the professional arboretum network Different levels of accreditation recognize AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK arboreta of various degrees of development, of tree-focused professionals capacity, and professionalism. In addition to offering the Arboretum The Montgomery Botanical Centre, USA Accreditation Program, ArbNet is also an interactive community that supports I II III IV L L L L E E E E V V V V LE LE LE LE information exchange and collaboration. Through arbnet.org, individuals can: Arboretum plan Q QQQ U Access helpful resources. Organizational or governance group Q QQQ Mission U Labeled trees/woody plant species Participate in online forum discussions.
25+ Q U Read about arboretum-focused news.
100+ Q U Identify other arboreta to collaborate with in scientific, collections, and conservation activities. “The mission of ArbNet is to foster the 500+ Q Q U Work collectively as part of a broad network Staff or volunteer support establishment and professionalism of to help advance the planting, care, and Q BECOME ACCREDITED. Volunteer or paid conservation of trees. arboreta; identify arboreta capable of Paid management Q QQ GET CONNECTED. Curator Q Q participating or collaborating in certain Scientific or conservation staff Q Public dimension scientific, collections, or conservation
Public access and at least one event per year Q QQQ Strengthening the
Enhanced public and educational programs Q QQ arboretum community activities; and advance the planting Substantial educational programming Q Q and conservation of trees.” Participation in ArbNet Q QQQ
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0 ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS. 1 The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL to establish a widely recognized set of industry standards for the purposes of professional standards through the • Relevant arboretum news and events unifying the arboretum community, ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program . from around the world. providing a mechanism for benchmarking Through ArbNet, arboreta from around • The opportunity to identify and connect tree-focused gardens, and establishing the world can work collaboratively as part with other arboreta to collaborate on guidelines for professional development. of a broad network to help advance the scientific, collections, and conservation The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation planting and conservation of trees. activities. Program recognizes arboreta at various ArbNet provides: • A broad network of professionals to help advance the planting, care and • The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation conservation of trees. Table 1: ArbNet Accreditation Program to recognize standards of • An online forum for tree-focused excellence in tree-focused gardens. discussions. No. of accredited arboreta: 108 • Helpful resources to improve • A platform to demonstrate value and No. of countries represented: 7 arboretum management, operations, importance of tree collections to local Level I arboreta: 40 research, conservation, and land planners and policy makers. Level II arboreta: 40 educational programming. Level III arboreta: 13 • The Morton Register of Arboreta – a In addition to providing these benefits, Level IV arboreta: 15 database of arboreta and other public ArbNet is also a powerful tool for No. of tree-focused gardens or private gardens that have a advancing the conservation efforts of listed in the Morton Register: 954 substantial focus on woody plants. tree-focused gardens of all sizes.
31 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 • Identify other organizations at similar or publishing sophisticated research, manage higher levels of accreditation to provide living tree collections for the purpose of comparative benchmarks and models conservation, and take an active role in for further achievement. supporting tree conservation thereby • Earn distinction in your community, contributing to the mission of the Global university, or government agency. Trees Campaign. Level IV arboreta are • Exert leadership and influence by world-renowned tree-focused institutions. serving as a model to encourage professional development in other ArbNet-accredited arboreta organizations working in support of the Global • Identify opportunities for collaboration Trees Campaign with other arboreta for scientific, collections, or conservation activities. By becoming accredited as an arboretum levels of development, capacity, and at any level, gardens are already professionalism. No other international Four levels of accreditation improving their potential conservation program of accreditation exists that is efforts by becoming part of the global specific to arboreta. The four levels of accreditation recognize network of arboreta. However, at the arboreta at various degrees of highest level of accreditation (level IV), “Individuals and organizations have long development, capacity, and specific consideration for a conservation sought definitions, standards, and means professionalism. Accredited arboreta are role in the Global Trees Campaign is of establishing an official or legitimate encouraged to seek and achieve higher explicitly required. Level IV arboreta can arboretum.” according to Dr. Gerard T. professional standards and move up participate in a variety of tree Donnelly, President and CEO of The through the levels. Categorization also conservation activities that directly Morton Arboretum, which sponsors and allows an assessment of which arboreta support the mission of the Global Trees coordinates ArbNet. are capable of participating or Campaign (GTC), including for example: collaborating in certain scientific, Any international arboretum or public collections, or conservation activities. • Curate wild-collected trees of well- garden with a substantial focus on woody documented, known provenance; plants may apply for accreditation. Level I arboreta are generally smaller • Include and prioritize threatened trees Examples of institutions that may be publicly accessible sites with at least 25 in their collections and collecting accredited arboreta include botanical species of woody plants, one or a few strategy; gardens, cemeteries, zoos, city tree employees or volunteers, a governing • Highlight threatened trees in ex situ collections, historic properties, college body, and an arboretum plan. Examples of collections with GTC interpretation; campuses, corporate campuses, arboreta at this level may include golf • Participate in collaborative collecting or retirement communities, nature reserves courses, college arboreta, cemeteries, seed banking field trips for threatened and municipal parks. Accreditation is zoos, private estates, or towns with a trees; based on self-assessment and labeled and curated tree collection. Level II • Propagate and exchange germplasm of documentation of an arboretum’s level of arboreta have at least 100 species of threatened trees with other institutions achievement of accreditation standards, woody plants, employ paid staff, and have and conservation networks; including planning, governance, number enhanced public education programs and • Undertake planting trials for threatened of species, staff or volunteer support, a documented collections policy. Level III trees, develop horticulture and education and public programming, and arboreta have at least 500 species of propagation protocols; tree science research and conservation. woody plants, employ a collections • Carry out education and awareness for curator, have substantial educational threatened trees; Benefits of accreditation programming, collaborate with other • Provide training workshops on arboreta, share their collection data, and threatened trees (e.g. identification, seed • Be recognized for achievement of actively participate in tree science and collecting, nursery management, IUCN specified levels of professional practice. conservation. At the highest level of red listing, propagation, germination, • Work toward higher levels of accreditation, Level IV arboreta employ population monitoring, etc.) locally or professional standards once accredited. well-qualified tree scientists engaged in remotely in locations of need;
32 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 • Strive to obtain wild-collected seed of known provenance; University of Oxford Botanic Garden and • Provide education and interpretation that Harcourt Arboretum (UK) advocates for tree conservation and builds awareness of threatened trees; In support of the GTC and to achieve level IV • Share collections data with PlantSearch; accreditation, the University of Oxford Botanic • Collaborate with larger arboreta that Garden and Harcourt Arboretum in the UK can act as a coordination hub for established a valuable partnership with Wondo conservation projects. Genet College Arboretum (WGCA), a level I accredited arboretum in Ethiopia. Harcourt is Level III arboreta supporting WGCA in developing a • Support local/regional collecting efforts conservation program for rare and endangered for threatened trees; endemic trees. This includes establishing seed • Undertake active in situ conservation • Work to protect locally threatened trees collecting, germination and propagation efforts for threatened trees in regions of and their habitats; protocols; improving operations in the tree high biodiversity and low capacity for • Monitor locally threatened tree nursery; developing a long term strategy for conservation. Activities include populations; restoration and reintroduction of threatened population monitoring, surveys, • Collaborate with a conservation trees; providing training workshops for staff; invasive species removal, seed consortium or other arboretum to helping build capacity; improving curation collecting, reintroduction of threatened participate in ex situ and/or in situ standards; and conducting a conservation and associated trees, local community conservation; audit of the existing tree collection. This engagement and education, • Prioritize wild-collected seed of known partnership helps drive forward the developing sustainable management provenance for living collections; conservation mission of both organizations, plans for threatened trees, etc.; • Contribute wild-collected seed to seed creates enhanced fund raising opportunities, • Participate in ecological restoration banks for long term preservation if the and results in valuable information and programmes for degraded habitats of species is amenable to seed banking expertise exchange between the organizations. threatened trees, for example in conditions (i.e orthodox seeds); collaboration with the Ecological • Phase out accessions with unknown Restoration Alliance of Botanic provenance; Gardens (www.erabg.org); • Conduct a conservation value audit on • Host GTC conferences, seminars, or the living tree collection; Montgomery Botanical Center (USA) training workshops; • Support Level I and II accredited • Promote the work of the GTC and arboreta to improve the conservation The Montgomery Botanical Center in Coral provide information and a GTC link on quality of their collections; Gables, FL, USA is a world leader in palm and their website; • Contribute to IUCN Red List cycad conservation and an active participant • Host staff who are members of the assessments; in several GTC initiatives and projects. One of IUCN Global Trees Specialist Group; • Engage citizen scientists to increase the many activities it undertakes that • Support a joint staff position between capacity for conservation efforts contributes to its level IV accreditation is the host institution and BGCI/GTC; developing manuals and resources in • Provide support, guidance, training and References collaboration with BGCI that build capacity for mentorship to arboreta at lower levels gardens to engage in ex situ tree conservation. of accreditation; , Cavender, N., Westwood, M., One such resource is “Building living plant • Lead or substantially contribute to Bechtoldt, C., Donnelly, G., Oldfield, S., collections to support conservation: A guide IUCN red listing efforts for trees within Gardner, M., Rae, D. and McNamara, for public gardens” that was published in a taxonomic group or region; W. 2015. Strengthening the 2014. This guide provides helpful advice on • Author GTC manuals, reports, conservation value of ex situ tree how to prioritize target species, leverage interpretation content, articles, or other collections . Oryx 49 :3 416-424. existing institutional assets, collect seed, conservation-focused resources. curate the ex situ collection, and gain support , Botanic Gardens Conservation from donors and the public. Montgomery Examples of how arboreta in International. 2014. Building living plant Botanical Center is an excellent model for Accreditation levels I, II and III can collections to support conservation: other tree-focused gardens to follow, as it support tree conservation and improve A guide for public gardens . prioritizes wild-collected, genetically the conservation value of collections: http://www.bgci.org/files/UnitedStates/ representative germplasm in its ex situ palm MBC_Collections_Guide_2014.pdf collections. Conservation of threatened palms Level I and II arboreta and genetic diversity is at the forefront of its • Document and database tree Murphy Westwood, PhD mission, and its living collection is testament collections, including provenance data, Tree Conservation Specialist at to this objective. As a level IV arboretum and maintain detailed records; The Morton Arboretum & Global focused on conservation, Montgomery • Collaborate with other local tree Tree Conservation Officer for BGCI provides a gold standard benchmark that holding institutions on conservation The Morton Arboretum other arboreta can work towards as they projects, staff exchanges/training, plant 4100 Illinois Route 53 achieve higher levels of accreditation. exchange; Lisle, Illinois 60532, USA. • Label trees, verify identity; [email protected]
33 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Author: Paul Smith
SAVING MALAWI’S NATIONAL TREE
Can a combination of in situ and ex situ conservation approaches bring this iconic species back from the brink?
Introduction that there were 63,747 standing cedar trees on the mountain and, of these, he Mulanje cedar ( Widdringtonia 25,609 were dead (41.5% of the whytei Rendle) is Malawi’s national population). It is necessary to investigate Mulanje cedar ( Widdringtonia whytei ), Ttree. Its natural distribution is the causes of the cedar’s decline in more Sombani Basin, Mt Mulanje, Malawi confined to the 30 km 2 Mount Mulanje detail if we are to come up with a massif in the south of the country, south- recovery plan that might have some it contains, and which presumably give it central Africa’s highest peak at 3,002 chance of success. durability. As well as being an excellent metres above sea level. Despite its building timber, the cedar is useful for mountain fortress – or perhaps because Over-exploitation shipbuilding, furniture and for roof of it – the Mulanje cedar is critically shingles. As a result of its multiple uses, endangered (Bayliss et al , 2007). The The wood of the Mulanje cedar is very Mulanje cedar wood has a very high latest estimates suggest that the area beautiful, it polishes well, is light to economic value. covered by Mulanje cedar has declined moderately heavy, and extremely durable. from 1,462 hectares in 1986 to 917 In fact, it is so resistant to termites, wood hectares in January 2014, i.e. a 37% borers and rot that the Thuchila Forestry “At an auction of confiscated decline in 28 years. The main cause of cottage, built from this timber 110 years wood held by the Malawi the cedar’s destruction has been logging ago, still stands today, as do a number of for timber and fire, although there are mountain huts built for hikers and Department of Forestry in 2010, also strong indications that other factors climbers in the 1920s. The wood of the a cubic metre of cedar wood may be contributing to its demise. As of Mulanje cedar emits a distinctive January 2014, overall estimates indicated fragrance from the tannins and resins that fetched nearly US$4,000.”
34 34-36 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 It is entirely likely that the Mulanje cedar’s historic range was far greater than it is today and that the Mulanje massif is a refugium for this species where it has been afforded some protection from fire in a warming climate. It is also quite possible that the climatic conditions on the mountain are not optimal for the species. The natural distribution of the tree ranges from 1,500-2,200m on the mountain and, interestingly, while efforts to plant the tree on Mulanje mountain itself have failed, the tree has been successfully planted on the Zomba Plateau (1,500 m) and Viphya Plateau (1,600 m) with growth rates far exceeding those on Mount Mulanje. In addition, the Mulanje cedar is reported as growing in Bogor Botanical Garden, only 265 meters above sea level and only 6 degrees south of the equator! Sombani mountain hut, constructed from Mulanje cedar The Management Plan For these reasons the cedar is heavily This could be attributed to several factors exploited, and much of this offtake is including low viable seed output Given the challenges associated with illegal. Furthermore, poor law (Chanyenga, 2013). 285 naturally understanding the Mulanje cedar’s enforcement, and the presence of so regenerating seedlings were recorded in growing requirements and autecology, a many people on the mountain, has led to 16 clusters out of the 34 clusters that are multi-disciplinary approach will be a proliferation of wild fires, despite the still stocked with cedar trees. This required to ensure its continued survival. efforts of a local NGO (Mulanje Mountain represents 1 seedling ha -1 . 152 seedlings The following actions are proposed in the Conservation Trust (MMCT)) to set up were in the ≤20cm height category, 106 Mulanje cedar’s recently published firebreaks and fire control measures 1. seedlings in the 21-150 cm height Management Plan: category while only 7 seedlings were Despite its thick bark, the Mulanje cedar found in the sapling category. • To plant approximately 1,400 hectares is highly flammable, and it is particularly Examination of the remaining mature of cedar seedlings in the approximately vulnerable at the seedling stage. In fact, stands on the mountain shows that the 1,600 hectares of historical cedar fire has been the main cause of the tree exhibits very distinctive size classes, habitat sites on the mountain; destruction of Widdringtonia seedlings or cohorts, rather than a continuum of • To protect the growing stock from that have been planted on the mountain trunk diameters. This suggests that the forest fires, insects and disease, and by MMCT since 2004. Ironically, the cedar right climatic and ecological conditions illegal harvesting; also needs fire to establish otherwise it is for cedar regeneration and establishment outcompeted by other native evergreen don’t come along very often. These trees and exotic invasive species such as intervals will be even further apart when Pinus patula and Rubus ellipticus . the occurrence of fires is factored in.
Other threats to the Mulanje Over the past two decades, tens of cedar thousands of Widdringtonia seedlings have been produced and planted out by The over-exploitation of Widdringtonia the Forestry Department and MMCT but whytei is only one part of the story. The they have nearly all failed to establish. large proportion of dead standing trees The result is a species that appears to be hints at a species that is under some in terminal decline. stress. In the 1990s there was an aphid infestation of Cinara cupressi on the Changing conditions mountain that severely affected mature cedars but this was treated successfully It is often our assumption that plants are with a biological control. More worrying is happy where they are and, for this the very restricted ability of the Mulanje reason, most species recovery efforts aim cedar to regenerate and establish itself. to augment existing populations or reintroduce plants to their historical sites. The 2014 cedar assessment further The Mulanje cedar is an interesting case shows very low natural regeneration study of why this may not always be Lichen-draped cedars on the slopes of taking place within the cedar clusters. appropriate. Mount Mulanje
35 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 • To develop and manage good working relationships with all stakeholders and the surrounding communities to promote cedar protection and restoration; • To develop and conduct appropriate ecological research on the species.
BGCI will work with local and international partners to support this work and, in addition, will:
• Establish trials of Widdringtonia in ‘field genebanks’ elsewhere in Malawi, in order to better define its optimal growing conditions. • Conduct horticultural research to improve seedling survival and establishment in nurseries, and enable older trees to be reintroduced. • Work with local communities and the Mulanje cedar seedlings, Fort Lister, February 2010 Malawian Forestry Department to include the Mulanje cedar in the seedlings. It should also become clearer quanzensis ), the Natal mahogany ( Trichilia portfolio of (mainly exotic) plant about whether inbreeding depression is a emetica ) and the red mahogany ( Khaya species for sale in community and factor for the remaining populations on anthotheca ). All have a ready market and, private tree nurseries. the mountain. best of all, represent a potential income stream for local communities that The reintroduction of the cedar to A further topic for research is the currently can only earn money from Mulanje mountain has some precedence. pathology of the cedar. Currently, seedling cutting these trees down. Before the Second World War, 190 survival drops off drastically after the hectares (470 acres) of the Mulanje cedar plants reach 5-10 cm in height in the We will keep you informed of progress were planted. Most of these established nursery. As mentioned above, survival after but are hopeful that, by applying a range successfully under the strictly controlled planting in the field is even lower. This may of in situ and ex situ conservation fire regime of the day. From the 1970s, be due to a microbial pathogen or it may approaches, we can conserve this iconic however, a number of these stands were be due to the absence of a symbiont, such species and improve the livelihoods of destroyed by fire. Clearly, effective as an ecto-mycorrhizal fungus. the inhabitants of Mulanje Mountain. protection from fire, pests and invasive species will require pro-active Finally, optimal abiotic and edaphic References management and good relations with conditions are not well characterized for local communities. this species. Experimentation in the , Bayliss, J., Makungwa, S., Hecht, J., nursery and in reintroduction sites will Nangoma, D., and Bruessow, C. 2007. The research required to fully understand help to resolve this knowledge gap, as will Saving the island in the sky: the plight of the autecology of the Mulanje cedar will trial planting in different sites in Malawi. To the Mount Mulanje cedar Widdringtonia embrace a number of disciplines. The this end, the World Agroforestry Centre whytei. Oryx 41 (1), 64–69. population genetics of the cedar is poorly (ICRAF) has five field genebanks (or seed understood, even to the extent of there orchards) distributed throughout Malawi’s , Chanyenga, T.F. 2013. Effect of being some doubt about whether different ecological zones and these will population size on viable seed output, Widdringtonia whytei is synonymous with be ideal for testing the edaphic and seed rain and natural regeneration the far more widespread Widdringtonia climatic tolerance of the cedar. pattern of a tropical conifer nodiflora (L.) Powrie. The most recent Widdringtonia whytei Rendle in Malawi . study of Widdringtonia systematics Our final strategy will be to define optimal PhD Thesis, Stellenbosch University, (Pauw & Linder, 1997) suggests that the horticultural protocols for Widdringtonia Stellenbosch, South Africa. two species live side by side on the whytei . This will involve testing the mountain. Regardless of whether there is species in a range of potting media, , Pauw, C.A. and Linder, H.P. 1997. one species or two, it will be essential to watering regimes, containers (including Tropical African Cedars (Widdringtonia, know more about the genetic diversity of aerial pruning), light and temperature. The Cupressaceae): Systematics, ecology the remaining populations on the ultimate aim here is to domesticate the and conservation status . Bot J. Linn. mountain as well as those populations species to the extent that it can be grown Soc. 123 (4): 297-319. that have been established on Zomba and sold in nurseries throughout Malawi. and Viphya. In this way, we will be able There are a number of precedents for this Paul Smith source seed from as wide a genetic base approach. Other indigenous timber BGCI as possible, and thereby maximize the species sold in nurseries in Malawi 199 Kew Road, Richmond, UK adaptive potential of reintroduced include the pod mahogany ( Afzelia [email protected]
36 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 Author: Dr Trevor Booth
BGCI’s PlantSearch database together with the Atlas of Living Australia and the managers of relevant botanic gardens are providing new insights into the climatic requirements of rare tree species Eucalyptus kruseana (T. Booth)
A recent study has examined the LEARNING ABOUT THE potential for using information from botanic gardens to provide some CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS OF indication of the climatic adaptability of rare eucalypt species. Data for 12 rare THREATENED TREE SPECIES species were obtained from BGCI’s PlantSearch database. Each species was recorded in between 11 – 28 gardens. The scientific paper describing the study will be published shortly (Booth, in press). Introduction developed biodiversity databases such To illustrate the method here we consider as the Atlas of Living Australia 2, are just one species, Eucalyptus kruseana F. limitation with most climate providing exciting opportunities to Muell (Bookleaf Mallee). This is a small change impact analyses of tree analyse the climatic requirements of bushy multi-stemmed tree, with a limited Aspecies is that they have only threatened tree species. natural distribution mainly to the east and assessed species natural distributions. south-east of Kalgoorlie, in Western It is obvious to many people involved Eucalypt species are particularly Australia. As this was an initial proof-of- with botanic gardens that many species interesting for climate change studies as concept study, the focus was on can grow successfully under climatic many of the more than 800 species found examining only annual mean conditions somewhat different from those in Australia have been tested widely in temperature. More detailed studies would within their natural distributions (Booth et trials. Often these trials have been under assess more climatic variables. al ., 2015). Determining the extent to hotter and drier conditions than where the which threatened tree species can species grow naturally. However, Natural distribution tolerate different climatic conditions is endangered or vulnerable eucalypt important for devising appropriate species, of which there are more than 50 The first step in the analysis was to conservation strategies. For example, species, tend to be small and/or multi- examine the species natural distribution. if a rare species can cope with changing stemmed trees. These have little potential This was carried out using the freely climatic conditions it is desirable to for commercial use, so have usually not accessible Atlas of Living Australia (ALA, conserve it in its current locations, rather been included in trials. Many of these www.ala.org.au). The ALA contains more than undertake risky and expensive species have relatively limited distributions than 50 million records of species relocations. BGCI’s PlantSearch and narrow climatic ranges, so may be occurrence, as well as more than 400 database 1, together with recently particularly vulnerable to climate change. spatial layers describing climatic,
1www.bgci.org/plant_search.php 37 2www.ala.org.au 37-39 • BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 substrate, topographic, social and distribution was found where the annual Returning to the first ALA map (Fig. 1), a vegetation data. An ALA-generated map mean temperature ranges from 17.8- small number of cultivated locations were showed 88 locations where E. kruseana 18.8 oC, but at two outlying locations shown in southern Australia. However, grows in Australia. The natural annual mean temperatures were 19.5 oC only the Myall Park Botanic Garden distribution has been highlighted here and 19.9 oC. Outliers such as these are location in Queensland (shown with the and the scatterplot tool of the ALA used sometimes omitted in species distribution arrow) was of particular interest, as the to show ranges of annual mean modelling studies, as they may be annual mean temperature estimated for temperature and annual mean observations of cultivated specimens, this location (20.2 oC) was warmer than precipitation within the natural misidentifications or data entry errors. any location within the natural distribution (Fig. 1). Considering climatic conditions at distribution. locations clearly outside the natural The ALA was used to zoom in and look distribution may lend credibility to PlantSearch data at the natural distribution in more detail conditions estimated for these (Fig. 2). The main part of the natural outlying sites. Latitude and longitude data from the PlantSearch database for 16 botanic gardens growing E. kruseana were entered into the ALA. Climatic conditions at these locations were estimated using the WORLDCLIM data included in the ALA and the scatterplot tool was used to examine the range of conditions for these sites. The scatterplot analysis showed that most botanic gardens were growing E. kruseana at similar or cooler annual mean temperatures to those in its natural distribution. However, a small number of locations in the United States, as well as the Myall Park Botanic Gardens in Australia already mentioned, were growing it at warmer annual mean temperatures up to 21.3 oC (Fig. 3).
Data from the literature
Only two of the 12 rare species assessed had any previously published descriptions from which information on their climatic tolerance, beyond that of their natural Fig. 1: E. kruseana occurrence records in the ALA, including natural locations (in distributions, could be estimated. E. highlighted box) as well as cultivated locations in southern Australian and at the Myall kruseana was one of these species, but Park Botanic Gardens in Queensland (indicated with an arrow). Map data: Google, ALA information was only available from one site at Shushtar in the Khuzestan province of Iran (Abravesh et al . 2007). The annual mean temperature estimated by the ALA for this location was surprisingly high at 25.5 oC. However, the exact location of the trial site in relation to the town was not known, so the estimate may not be reliable.
Challenges
An important limitation to using ALA data for estimating the climatic requirements of rare species is that the accuracy of locational data for the natural distribution is intentionally obscured. That is the full accuracy is not provided, but is simplified in the case of E. kruseana to a 20 km grid, to protect the exact locations of this Fig 2: E. kruseana natural distribution shown in greater detail. Arrows indicate outlying rare species. Fortunately, Australia is a locations experiencing annual mean temperatures of 19.5 oC and 19.9 oC. Map data: relatively flat continent. So, if a Google, ALA reasonable number of observations are
38 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 that might be grown. An ALA-based system is already in operation in Spain (datos.gbif.es) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is supporting the development of similar systems in several other countries.
In summary, the exploratory analysis of the 12 rare eucalypts indicated that useful information can be obtained using PlantSearch and the ALA. However, the number of observations outside those of the conditions of the natural distribution were small, so considerable caution should be used in interpreting the data. More detailed studies would be useful Fig. 3: E. kruseana planted locations from PlantSearch database. Locations in box of and the establishment of trials to further scatterplot are warmer than those in the natural distribution and are circled in red with explore the climatic adaptability of rare on the map. Map data: Google, ALA species may well be worthwhile. available, as was the case with E. In view of the limitations of using data Acknowledgements kruseana , the scatterplot analysis can still from botanic gardens it is suggested that provide a reasonable indication of the if observations from warmer locations are Thanks to BGCI for providing access to range of climatic conditions. few these should only be used to confirm the PlantSearch database and to the climatic conditions at outliers within or Atlas of Living Australia team. Thanks A particular limitation for Australian near to the natural distribution that might also to botanic garden managers (see species is that there are relatively few otherwise be rejected. Data from botanic Booth in press for full botanic gardens in warmer environmental gardens are particularly valuable when acknowledgements). conditions than those experienced by other data relevant to climatic many species in Australia. Using adaptability are either not available from References PlantSearch data may be more useful for other sources, such as commercial trials, plants from cooler countries and regions. or are very limited. , Abravesh, Z. et al . 2007. Extraction These species would be likely to be and identification of essential oil growing at many more botanic gardens Opportunities components of five Eucalyptus species under warmer conditions than those in in warm zones of Iran . Iranian Journal their natural distributions. The Booth (in press) paper indicates that of Medicinal and aromatic Plants. rare eucalypts do show some signs of 23 : 323-330. Using data from botanic gardens to infer climatic adaptability beyond the climatic adaptability has several important conditions found within their natural , Booth, T.H., et al . 2015. Native forests limitations, which are discussed in detail in distributions. Overall, 11 of the 12 and climate change: Lessons from the Booth (in press) paper. The use of species assessed showed some signs of eucalyptus . Forest Ecology and irrigation in botanic gardens is one of the possessing climatic adaptability beyond Management. 347 : 18-29. main limitations. This may allow species to that indicated by their natural tolerate conditions somewhat warmer than distributions. In most cases the , Booth, T.H. In press. Using a global they would otherwise be able to do. differences in annual mean temperatures botanic gardens database to help Similarly, planting locations within botanic were of several degrees Celsius. This assess the capabilities of rare eucalypt gardens may be carefully chosen to suit suggests it may well be worth carrying species to cope with climate change . particular species. The influences of out some more detailed analyses for International Forestry Review. 17 (3). particular slopes, aspects and positions on some selected species, including studies slope will not be captured by information of their genetic diversity as well as Copies of the recent papers are available about just the latitude, longitude and climatic adaptability. from Trevor Booth ([email protected]). elevation of the site. Soil differences The 2015 paper is available now and the between natural locations and botanic Whether future climate change analyses second will be available soon, but can be gardens might also be considered to be a prove to be helpful or not for rare requested now. major problem, but an important concern species, systems such as the ALA may for rare eucalypts is whether they can be very useful for botanic gardens for Dr Trevor H. Booth continue to grow under climate change other purposes. For example, the ALA CSIRO Land and Water Flagship where they are presently located. Soil can help to provide information about GPO Box 1700, Canberra ACT 2601 conditions are not likely to be a major conditions at the origins of particular Australia factor limiting survival at these existing specimens already growing in botanic sites under climate change, climatic gardens, as well as assisting the adaptability is the key issue. selection of potential new specimens
39 BGCI • 2015 • BGjournal • Vol 12.2 The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Genetic considerations in ecosystem RESOURCES Resources restoration using native tree species. Commission on Genetic Resources for Food State of the World’s Forest Genetic and Agriculture Resources - Thematic study. Food and Agriculture Organization of the Bozzano, M., Jalonen, R., Thomas, E., United Nations, Rome, 2014 Boshier, D., Gallo, L., Cavers, S., Bordács, S., ISBN 978-92-5-108402-1 (print) Smith, P. & Loo, J., eds. 2014. E-ISBN 978-92-5-108403-8 (PDF) FAO and Bioversity International, Rome. 2014 Integrated conservation of tree species Published in 2014, this first report on the ISBN 978-92-5-108469-4 (print) by botanic gardens: a reference manual State of the World’s Forest Genetic E-ISBN 978-92-5-108470-0 (PDF) Oldfield, S. and Newton, A.C. 2012 Resources addresses the conservation, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, management and sustainable use of forest There is renewed interest in the use of Richmond, UK tree and other woody plant genetic native tree species in ecosystem restoration ISBN: 978-1-905164-44-8 resources of actual and potential value for for their biodiversity benefits. Growing human well-being in the broad range of native tree species in production systems This reference manual management systems. This report aims to (e.g. plantation forests and subsistence has been developed to help differentiate between the state of the agriculture) can also ensure landscape support the integrated world’s forest resources (as reported in functionality and support for human conservation of FAO’s annual State of the World’s Forests livelihoods. Achieving full benefits, however, threatened tree species and the periodic Global Forest Resources requires consideration of genetic aspects by botanic gardens and Assessment) and the state of the genetic that are often neglected, such as suitability arboreta. It is aimed at resources on which they depend for their of germplasm to the site, quality and the staff and associates utility, adaptability and health. The report quantity of the genetic pool used and of the world’s botanic indicates that about half of the forest regeneration potential. This study provides gardens, and is designed species in the 86 reporting countries are fundamental information for the to help the development, threatened or subject to genetic erosion, achievement of knowledge-based planning and and only about one-quarter are actively ecosystem restoration using native tree implementation of conservation activities managed for their products and/or services. species. It draws attention to the focusing on tree species. Botanic gardens The report documents the value and importance of embedding genetic are exceptionally well placed to make an importance of forest genetic resources considerations in restoration activities, an important contribution in this area, as they (FGR) and looks at the current state of aspect which is often overlooked both by have access to the skills and techniques to conservation in situ and ex situ . It also restoration scientists and practitioners, but identify, cultivate and propagate a wide explores the drivers of change and trends is nonetheless crucial to rebuilding resilient range of tree species. In addition, they hold affecting FGR and examines current and landscapes and ecosystems. The study important collections of living trees, seeds emerging trends in forest conservation and includes a review and synthesis of and other germplasm that can be of value in management. The report notes that the experience and results; an analysis of supporting both in situ and ex situ status of botanical knowledge varies from successes and failures in various systems; conservation efforts. This manual builds on country to country. Very few countries have and definitions of best practice, including A handbook for botanic gardens on the detailed tree species checklists that include genetic aspects. It also identifies knowledge reintroduction of plants to the wild species characteristics allowing distinction gaps and needs for further research and published by BGCI in 1995 and reflects the between different plant life forms, e.g. trees, development. Of particular relevance to increasing imperative to restore and shrubs, palms and bamboo. Furthermore botanic gardens is the fact that limited conserve damaged ecosystems. It draws on information on the conservation status of information and knowledge of native both the scientific literature and on practical species populations is not available in many species biology and lack of appropriate experiences gained in tree conservation countries. Among other recommendations, planting material is a major constraint to the projects from around the world. The manual and of relevance to botanic gardens, the use of native species in restoration first briefly considers why tree species report calls for: programmes. The report concludes with a should be conserved and restored and how series of recommendations to guide integrated approaches to conservation can • The establishment and development of research, restoration practice and policy. be developed. A step-by-step guide is then efficient and sustainable ex situ provided to support the design and conservation systems A copy of the report can be downloaded at: practical implementation of integrated • Enhanced restoration and rehabilitation of http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3938e.pdf conservation approaches. While this manual ecosystems using genetically appropriate can only serve as a brief introduction to material what is a large and complex subject, it is • Reinforcement of regional and hoped that it will both facilitate and international cooperation, including encourage botanic gardens and land networking, to support education, management agencies to develop knowledge dissemination, research, and integrated conservation activities focusing conservation and sustainable on tree species. management of FGR. • Promotion of public and international A copy of this publication can be awareness of the roles and value of FG downloaded here: http://www.bgci.org/files/Worldwide/News/ A copy of the report can be downloaded SeptDec12/tree_species_low.pdf here: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3825e.pdf
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