Journal of Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Volume 13 • Number 2 • July 2016
Restoring damaged ecosystems: The role of botanic gardens and the Ecological Restoration Alliance
New features in this issue: • Talking plants: an interview with a plant conservation champion • Plant hunting tales from South Africa • Featured gardens: focus on Malawi Volume 13 • Number 2 IN THIS ISSUE...
EDITORS EDITORIAL ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION - THE ROLE OF BOTANIC GARDENS .... 02
FEATURES
NEWS FROM BGCI .... 04 INTERVIEW: TALKING PLANTS .... 06 Suzanne Sharrock Kirsty Shaw Director of Global Head of Ecological Restoration Programmes and Tree Conservation PLANT HUNTING TALES: THE QUEST FOR ADENIA SPINOSA .... 07
FEATURED GARDENS: THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM Cover Photo : 12 year old restored forest at Brackenhurst Botanic Garden, Kenya. AND BOTANIC GARDENS OF MALAWI .... 10 (Barney Wilczak/wilczakphotography.co.uk) Design : Seascape www.seascapedesign.co.uk
BGjournal is published by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) . It is published twice a year. Membership is open to all interested individuals, institutions and organisations that support the aims of BGCI. Further details available from: ARTICLES • Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Descanso 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 BOTANIC GARDENS AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION - • BGCI-Russia, c/o Main Botanical Gardens, AN INTRODUCTION Paul Smith .... 14 Botanicheskaya st., 4, Moscow 127276, Russia. Tel: +7 (095) 219 6160 / 5377, Fax: +7 (095) 218 0525, E-mail: [email protected], www.bgci.ru INCORPORATING HISTORY TO IMPROVE PRAIRIE RESTORATIONS • BGCI-Netherlands, c/o Delft University of Technology Rebecca S. Barak and Evelyn W. Williams .... 16 Julianalaan 67, NL-2628 BC Delft, Netherlands Tel: +31 15 278 4714 Fax: +31 15 278 2355 E-mail: [email protected] THE RESTORATION SEED BANK INITIATIVE Shane. R. Turner, www.botanischetuin.tudelft.nl Todd E. Erickson, Miriam Muñoz-Rojas and David J. Merritt .... 20 •B GCI-Canarias, c/o Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo, Apartado de Correos 14, Tafira Alta 35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Spain. RESCUING CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES IN BELGIUM Tel: +34 928 21 95 80/82/83, Fax: +34 928 21 95 81, E-mail: [email protected] Sandrine Godefroid, Sarah Le Pajolec and Fabienne Van Rossum .... 24 •B GCI-China, 723 Xingke Rd., Guangzhou 510650 China. Tel:(86)20-85231992. email: [email protected] ENHANCING TREE CONSERVATION AND FOREST RESTORATION IN www.bgci.org/china EAST AFRICA Kirsty Shaw, Godfrey Ruyonga and Mark Nicholson .... 28 •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, RESTORING HONG KONG’S MONTANE FOREST Fax: +57 630 5075, E-mail: [email protected], www.humboldt.org.co/jardinesdecolombia/html/la_red.htm Gunter A. Fischer & Jinlong Zhang .... 32 • BGCI(US) Inc, c/o Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois 60022, USA. NATIVE SEEDS FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION Sara Oldfield 35 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 RESOURCES .... 37 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. JOIN THE WORLD’S LARGEST PLANT CONSERVATION NETWORK .... 39
MARSH AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS .... 40
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 01 EDITORIAL: ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION - THE ROLE OF BOTANIC GARDENS
Welcome to this In many cases, botanic gardens won’t BGCI’s role is to grow these communities edition of BGjournal, be carrying out landscape scale work of practice; whether it is ecological which focuses on the themselves; instead, they will be restoration, or other related areas, such as theory and practice supporting restoration efforts through red listing, seed conservation or science of ecological baseline survey and inventory, provision communication. It is essential that, as a restoration. You will of propagation protocols for individual professional community with unique skills also see some species, reintroduction of threatened and knowledge, we engage with society changes of a more species (as illustrated by the article from on solving the big environmental problems. general nature to the the Botanic Garden Meise, page 24) or format of BGjournal in this edition. New, advice on how to store and germinate As we continue to transform and degrade regular features include an image gallery, seeds (see the example on page 20 ecosystems, the demand for ecological featuring the wonderful photography of provided by Kings Park and Botanic restoration services can only grow. We Barney Wilczak, and a plant hunting story Garden). Botanic gardens also play a key hope that this edition of BGjournal will from Livhu Nkuna of the South African role in providing training (as shown in the encourage you to participate. National Biodiversity Institute. Please let article on page 28 that describes botanic us have your feedback on these and any garden contributions to forest restoration Dr Paul Smith other ideas you might have about regular training in East Africa) and educating the BGCI Secretary General features that we might introduce. public about the need for ecological restoration. Any botanic garden that This edition includes seven articles on grows or holds well-documented ecological restoration, many of them collections of native species has a from the Ecological Restoration Alliance contribution to make to ecological of Botanic Gardens (ERA), a global restoration. consortium of botanic gardens actively engaged in restoration. BGCI provides the secretariat for ERA, the members of which have agreed to support efforts to scale up the restoration of damaged, degraded and destroyed ecosystems around the world, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations’ target to restore 15 per cent of the world’s degraded ecosystems by 2020. ERA currently has 30 member botanic gardens carrying out ecological restoration projects in a diverse range of ecosystems and cultural contexts.
In this edition of BGjournal, we explore how gardens, big or small, can all contribute to ecological restoration. Indeed, some of the earliest pioneering work in restoration was initiated at botanic gardens (as described in the article from Chicago Botanic Garden on page 16).
02 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 02 FEATURES
NEWS FROM BGCI
INTERVIEW: TALKING PLANTS
PLANT HUNTING TALES: THE QUEST FOR ADENIA SPINOSA
FEATURED GARDENS: THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM AND BOTANIC GARDENS OF MALAWI
Images: Barney Wilczak
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 03 FEATURE
NEWS FROM BGCI
These will include: From Idea to Realisation •••• BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens From Idea to Realisation •••• BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens Part C: The Plant Collection – Linchpin of the Botanic Garden Part C: The Plant Collection – Linchpin of the Botanic Garden Chapter 3: No plant collection without Chapter 4: The Plant Collection in the • Advanced PlantSearch: greater access a strategy or policy International Policy Context to PlantSearch records, allowing members to identify the location of species in ex situ collections. This will apply only to taxon records provided to PlantSearch under BGCI’s new data sharing agreement and which have been flagged as ‘not hidden’ during the upload process. • Access to on-line versions of BGjournal and Roots as soon as they institutions, as well as supporting are published. established botanic gardens that may • Training resources and the opportunity be seeking advice or information as part to apply for training courses. of a re-development or organisational BGCI’S INTERNATIONAL • Examples and guidance for review. Consisting of four main parts, ADVISORY COUNCIL developing policy documents covering the eight chapters of the Manual are the various aspects of the work of being published in stages over the On May 25th 2016, a meeting of BGCI’s botanic gardens. coming year, with Chapters 1 to 4 now newly appointed International Advisory • Access to BGCI’s new botanic garden available online. These chapters cover Council (IAC) was held at the Royal twinning programme. the planning, organization and Botanic Gardens, Kew. This meeting was operational essentials of establishing
Botanic Gardens Conservation International Education Review attended by 22 botanic garden directors Journal of Botanic Gardens Conservation International a botanic garden, as well as the
and their deputies. The intention is that Volume 13 • Number 1 • January 2016 development of a plant collections Volume 13 • Number 1 • June 2016 the IAC will become a global leadership Sharing Science policy and the international policy Early warning systems Getting the public excited for plant health about your science forum for the botanic garden and The role of botanic gardens Daring visitors to think environment in which botanic The ethnobotanical approach arboretum sector, and this was reflected Illuminating outreach gardens operate. in the composition of the participants and in the agenda. This group will meet Find out more about the Manual and annually, and will have a strategic download the chapters from the BGCI mandate. Key elements of the agenda website: www.bgci.org/resources/2016- this year were agreeing the Terms of BGCI-botanic-garden-manual Reference of the group, guiding BGCI’s 5-year Business Plan, agreeing a peer- NEW BOTANIC GARDEN Training resources reviewed procedure for selecting Global RESOURCES BGCI is developing a series of training Botanic Garden Congress venues, and resources for its members and the discussing the establishment of a Global From idea to realisation wider botanic garden community. Botanic Garden Fund aimed at supporting The first chapters of BGCI’s new Manual The topics to be covered this year plant conservation activities in smaller on planning, developing and managing include The Nagoya Protocol on Access gardens. Significant progress was made botanic gardens are now available for and Benefit Sharing (training modules on all of these items, and a range of other download from the BGCI website. already available on the BGCI website cross-cutting issues were discussed that This comprehensive resource provides in English, French, Spanish and this group could tackle. essential guidance for newly developing Chinese), The Convention on International Trade in Endangered
BGCI MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS From Idea to Realisation •••• BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens From Idea to Realisation •••• BGCI’s Manual on Planning, Developing and Managing Botanic Gardens Species (CITES), A Guide to Plant From Idea to Realisation – Organisational and A Bringing a Big Idea to Life B Operational Essentials Biosecurity, Seed Conservation and BGCI is presently reviewing and Red Listing and Threat Assessments. extending its membership offer to These resources will be made provide greater benefits to its available on the BGCI website as membership. Under development is a they are completed. new member’s-only area of the BGCI Visit www.bgci.org/resources/links/. website which will provide access to a range of new resources and services unavailable to non-members.
04 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 04-05 DATABASES sitting down with scientists, policy makers, industry and others to learn BGCI is presently working on two new from each other and share ideas about databases to support plant conservation food security, one of the most pressing action. These databases will be available challenges facing the planet. BGCI will for consultation via the BGCI website co-ordinate an international partnership before the end of 2016. which includes botanic gardens, universities, a science shop, an institute Promoting the use of plant resources in ThreatSearch is a compiled list of plant for art, science and technology and an research and development species threat assessments using data international NGO. Big Picnics will take Also funded by the Darwin Initiative, this from multiple information sources, place in 12 countries across Europe and project will examine how access and including the IUCN Red List, National one in Africa. More information is benefit sharing (ABS) policies and Red Lists, RBG Kew, various red list available on the BGCI website: legislation affect the use of plant publications and journal articles. The list www.bgci.org/news-and- resources for research and development. currently consists of more than 196,000 events/news/1332/ Through a pilot exercise in Ethiopia, BGCI plant conservation assessments covering will explore the chains of custody of plant 108,000 plant species. The availability of Save our Cedar! Conservation of resources from the ‘owners’ to the final ThreatSearch will mark considerable Malawi’s national tree ‘users’ of the materials. The project will progress towards the achievement of Funded by UK’s Darwin Initiative, this attempt to identify key bottlenecks in the Target 2 of the Global Strategy for Plant project will focus on the conservation process and will make recommendations Conservation (GSPC): “An assessment of the Mulanje Cedar ( Widdringtonia for simplified measures to facilitate plant- of the conservation status of all plant whytei ), a critically endangered tree based research. Working in partnership species, as far as possible to guide which occurs naturally only in the with the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, conservation action” . Mulanje Mountain Biosphere Reserve in the project will also help to build the Malawi. Working with Malawi’s Forestry capacity of botanic gardens and other GlobalTreeSearch is being developed as Department, the Mulanje Mountain collections holders to act as trusted the most comprehensive list of the world’s Conservation Trust and local botanic intermediaries between the providers and tree species and their country level gardens, BGCI will build an users of plant resources. distributions. It presently includes 170,000 understanding of the propagation and names of trees, which relate to 60,000 cultivation needs of this species to Conservation of threatened trees in Fiji accepted species names. enable it to be grown and sold by local The Kaidanren Nature Conservation Fund people, generating alternative and the Japan Biodiversity Fund are sustainable incomes. The project also supporting a new BGCI conservation aims to raise awareness of the Mulanje project in Fiji. Here we will be working to Cedar’s importance, thus improving the identify the country’s most endangered conservation of this iconic species. tree species, while at the same time, building capacity amongst local scientists GlobalTreeSearch is compiled from data to carry out further Red Listing and threat from multiple information sources, assessments. Working in partnership with including national checklists, journal a local NGO, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti articles and contributions from Global Tree (NFMV), BGCI will be also be helping to Specialist Group (GTSG) members. This develop and implement Species Action searchable tree list will also provide the Plans for the most endangered species. backbone for the Global Tree Seed conservation and the establishment Assessment, coordinated by BGCI and of conservation collections in local botanic the IUCN/SSC GTSG, which aims to gardens will form an important part of the undertake conservation assessments for conservation work. all of the world’s tree species by 2020.
NEW BGCI PROJECTS
BGCI is delighted to have secured funding to initiate a number of new plant conservation and education projects this year. We will be providing regular updates on the progress of these projects.
Big Picnic: Big Questions – Engaging the public with responsible research and innovation on food security This EU-funded project will see the public across Europe and in Uganda
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 05 FEATURE
INTERVIEW TALKING PLANTS
We know you are passionate about In the first interview of this new feature in BGjournal, BGCI talks to plants, and particularly Slovenian native Jože Bavcon , Director of the Ljubljana University Botanic Garden and species, but what or who originally inspired your interest in plants? winner of the 2015 Marsh Award for International Plant Conservation.
From a very early age, plants were my toys. As a young child, my parents gave me a small patch of garden where I nature together. Working in the field is expand the garden in the near future. In planted plants and watched them grow. really my relaxation time. It is when I can addition to this, we expand the reach of I was particularly fond of cyclamen and think through problems and come up with the garden by working in different sites snowdrops and by the time I started solutions. I also find weeding a good across the city. This year Ljubljana is the primary school, I already had a collection activity to stimulate new ideas! Green Capital of Europe. This has of more than 30 cyclamen growing in provided us with many opportunities pots. Growing up on a farm, I loved to Many people talk about the lack of to work with the city authorities on visit the dry hay meadows and collect young people studying horticulture / ‘greening’ projects, which in turn helps to plants and seed and watch them grow. botany today. What do you think we can promote the garden and our expertise. do to inspire an interest in plants We are particularly happy that many of We know you have studied many different amongst the young? these projects have involved the planting plant species, and published books on of native Slovenian plants in different different plant families; but which species This is a big problem in Slovenia today. places across the city. Wherever these is your favourite and why? Most of our young people want to work in are planted, we are able to add computing or in the media. They have no interpretation signs which provide My favourite plants have always been interest in working outside. And even information about the garden and its cyclamen and snowdrops. If I had to pick those people who do study botany or work. As a result, visitor numbers to the just one species, it would be Cyclamen plant sciences, they learn more about the garden are increasing and our relationship purpurascens , a native to the alpine areas genetics of plants than about the plants with the city authorities is excellent. of central Europe and found widely themselves. They cannot recognise distributed throughout Slovenia. plants in the field and there are few In these days of economic crisis, many Cyclamen have beautiful foliage year- people able to pass on this knowledge. University botanic gardens in Europe are round and under the right artificial under threat of closure. How do you think conditions, can also be brought into Nature is exciting to young children- they botanic gardens can make themselves bloom throughout the year as well. are fascinated by touch and smell; they more relevant to universities, as well as ask questions and want to learn. meeting the needs of society today? The work of a botanic garden Director is However this interest needs to be very varied. However, is it possible to encouraged and sustained as they get I believe that it is very important for describe a typical day in your working life? older. Unfortunately school regulations university botanic gardens to demonstrate make it difficult for teachers to take their value and to highlight the benefits As the Director of a garden with a small children out into natural areas. In the the university gains from having such a budget and very few staff, the day-to-day garden we try to provide a safe garden. Providing education work of the garden keeps me very busy. environment where children can opportunities, carrying out conservation Activities in the garden have to be fitted in experience nature and we put a lot and research and being able to advise on around scheduled meetings, which this of emphasis on engaging the young. city greening projects are some examples. year, with Ljubljana being the Green They also need to take every opportunity Capital of Europe, have been more Can you tell us what your plans are for to tell people about their work – in demanding than usual. I tend to catch up the future of the garden? Ljubljana the garden is featured in a on office work in the evenings and spend regular TV gardening show and we are weekends going out in the field to collect I have many plans for the garden – but frequently on the radio and in the papers. seeds and plants. My family have learned what we can achieve is always limited by The greater the profile of the garden, the that if they want to spend time with me, the availability of funds and staff. We are more it can provide a positive image for they have to join me on my field work. hopeful that the City of Ljubljana will the University – so the garden can Luckily we all enjoy getting out into provide us with some additional land to become the ‘public face’ of the University.
06 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 06 FEATURE
Author: Livhuwani Auldrean Nkuna
PLANT HUNTING TALES THE QUEST FOR ADENIA SPINOSA
Proper targeting and planning were key elements in finding a viable population from which a seed collection of Adenia spinosa was made in Limpopo Province, and of course the valuable knowledge of local people which greatly assisted our successful fieldwork. Adenia spinosa
South African Flora network of ten National Botanical another major factor impacting on plant Gardens covering the majority of South life in South Africa – we already have lthough surrounded by the Indian Africa’s biomes. It is for this reason that evidence of species disappearing due to Ocean to the east and the Atlantic the SANBI gardens are able to maintain changes in regional climatic conditions. AOcean to the west, South Africa is such a wide variety of plant species as generally a dry land, largely composed of living collections. SANBI’s mission arid and semi-desert scrubland and grassland areas. The influence of the Threat status of South African The South African National Biodiversity oceans and mountains, valleys and flora Institute (SANBI) was established by the extensive plains means that plant and government to be the custodian of plant animal communities are extremely Although South Africa is one of the most life in South Africa. The organization diverse. botanically diverse countries in the world, monitors and assesses the severity of many of its plant species face threats threats to plants, develops conservation The result is eight major South African which are driving them towards extinction. policies and plans, and makes biomes (ecological life zones which have Over 2,500 South African species (>10% recommendations to the government. distinct environmental conditions and of the total) have been assessed as To achieve its goals, SANBI forms and related sets of plant and animal life). Critically Endangered (CR), Critically sustains collaborations and partnerships These are: Nama Karoo, Succulent Endangered with Possibility of becoming with relevant sectors of government, civil Karoo, Fynbos, Forest, Thicket, Extinct (CR PE), Endangered (EN) and society and the private sector, including Savanna, Grassland and Desert. Vulnerable (VU). Threats include habitat commercial and non-commercial loss in sensitive environments due to organizations. The commercial sector Approximately 10 per cent of the world’s development by government and the offers SANBI opportunities (financial, flora grows in South Africa, with the private sector to address the needs of an time and space) to protect and rescue Cape Floristic Region holding 20 per ever-growing population. There are also plants from areas demarcated for cent of Africa’s flora (although only 0.5 currently over 900 alien plant species in development, while the non-commercial per cent of the land area of the South Africa, of which more than 500 are or conservation organizations assist continent). The South African National invasive, out-competing and displacing SANBI during conservation planning Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) manages a indigenous species. Climate change is and implementation.
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 07-09 07 A. spinosa seeds
To identify the localities of Adenia spinosa , belonging to the Mamvuka Venda tribe), I began by gathering information at I hurried to the tribal authority to seek SANBI’s National Herbarium (PRE) in permission to work on their land. Pretoria, where I also took pictures of They agreed – indeed the tribal authority herbarium specimens. The specimens was excited that there were people were encouraging because they had prepared to rescue important plants flowers and fruits, and clear locality details before development. A good working were attached to them. relationship meant the headman of the village was happy to allow local young According to the literature, A. spinosa only people to assist the MSBP team. The occurs in the northern parts of Limpopo tribal authority also set conditions to Province in South Africa, with some prevent future developments from A. spinosa found at Masequa farm, Mamvuka populations recorded in Botswana and destroying all the growing plants, and southern Zimbabwe. One specimen in the declared Adenia spinosa a flagship SANBI’s partnership with the herbarium was collected in 1982 from species of the village. SANBI, through Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Wylliespoort, in the Soutpansberg its National Botanical Gardens (NBGs) mountains, on the road to Musina and and the MSBP in South Africa, will work For the past 15 years, SANBI has Zimbabwe at Princess Farm. That farm with the community to identify plants collaborated with the Millennium Seed is less than 3 km from my home village that should be saved, according to age, Bank Partnership (MSBP) managed by (Tshikuwi) in Nzhelele district. usefulness, and scarcity. Unlike other the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in A. spinosa populations like the one at London. The MSBP is an international Spotting Adenia spinosa in the Tshikuwi village, wiped out by human programme seeking to collect and bank field settlement, the population at Masequa seed from species around the world. farm still looks healthy. However, the In South Africa, species are targeted for In the sandy, arid bushveld, across the plants growing on this land could soon seed collection according to their red list mountain from Tshikuwi, still in Nzhelele be lost to building, arable farming, categories, the most threatened having district, a farm called Masequa was livestock grazing, sports grounds, or the highest priority. We also target recently abandoned by the owners due to other human activities. It seems that species useful to humans, which face land claims against them. The local tribal approval was formerly given for human ever-increasing pressure from over- authority at Mamvuka village claim the settlement and nobody can stop such collection. SANBI has already made seed land belonged to their ancestors and it developments from going ahead. collections of over 4,000 species since has now been returned to them by the the agreement with the MSBP in the year South African government. The private The SANBI NBGs, coordinated by the 2000. It is important to note however, that farmers left in 2009 since when there has MSBP, will conduct a species rescue not all species produce seed that can be been no control over access, only a fence programme as soon as resources and safely preserved under the orthodox seed which is currently being destroyed by the time are available. Methodology will be banking conditions of the MSBP (–20 local people in pursuit of edible wild fruits, according to species, so for example degrees Celsius). medicinal plants, poles, firewood and bulbous and similar herbs could be dug hunting. out for replanting at the relevant botanical Targeting Adenia spinosa for garden. Such plants could then be used seed collection A. spinosa was reported to be here, growing alongside Commiphora africana The MSBP team in South Africa targeted and C. mollis, C. marlothii, C. edulis, Adenia spinosa for seed collection for 14 Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra, Boscia years without success. Most of its albitrunca and many other species that habitats have become human settlements were also mentioned on the herbarium and in several areas only a single plant specimen list. was found, without seed. The species is losing its natural habitat at an alarming I went to Mamvuka to search for A. rate. I remember seeing it in Tshikuwi spinosa and to see if there was a viable village where I was born in the 1970s, population. Spotting a healthy number of but even there it has disappeared. specimens on the Masequa farm (now
8 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) Taxonomic description of Adenia spinosa containers suitable when collecting a • Taxon: Adenia spinosa Burtt Davy. fleshy fruit like this. Medium cotton bags • Family: Passifloraceae (Granadilla were ideal, each collector having a bag in family). hand as they moved from one plant to the • Stem: The stem is shapeless next. The fruit splits when pulled, so it was succulent, thick and bulbous up to key to ensure the seeds did not fall out. 1.5 metres in diameter. A tangled It was perfect timing, as the seed was mass of thin branches arise from this already beginning to disperse. stem. • Branches: The branches are armed Local people participated throughout. with blunt spines which may also They were happy to learn collection skills function as tendrils for climbing. from the MSBP staff and were taught the • Leaves: The leaves are alternate, importance of, and the way to make use broadly ovate to elliptic with of, a hand-lens when deciding whether to conspicuous venation, grey-green collect seeds from a particular specimen. above, and paler below; margins The headman asked if I would return to entire or lobed. explore the area with other colleagues • Flowers and Fruits: Flowers are from SANBI. The locals, with their new Aluwani Maano is one of the local people involved in unisexual on separate plants, axillary skills, have undertaken to report on any seed collecting activities of Adenia spinosa at creamy yellow male flowers usually special plants producing seed in the area Mamvuka Village in denser clusters than female and to also make seed collections for the flowers. Fruits are oval segment MSBP and the SANBI NBGs. I can report that the seeds of Adenia capsules and yellowish-green in spinosa collected at Mamvuka Village in colour. A very good quality seed collection was the Limpopo Province have been sent to • Distribution: Adenia spinosa occurs made from about 30 healthy plants. Local the UK for banking. Some seeds were in the northern parts of South Africa people also requested that the MSBP donated to the Pretoria National in Limpopo, Botswana and should share any information generated – Botanical Garden for propagation and Zimbabwe, growing in scrubland or knowledge such as propagation and plants will be kept there as living shrubland plant communities where germination protocols for the species, collections. As agreed with the local tribal the climatic conditions are often dry, as well as its seed banking behaviour, so authority, the MSBP will make more seed hot and dominated by sparse grass, that they could grow these plants on their collections from the same population shrubs, herbs and geophytes. own premises if need be. There is a plan before the development of a new to go back to the village to conduct a settlement begins. As a Gardens workshop, teaching the Mamvuka people Conservation Manager at SANBI, how ex situ conservation provides I am currently in talks with the Garden’s during habitat restoration, species support to in situ conservation of plants. management regarding a major plant reintroduction, land rehabilitation, and It became obvious that we need to work rescue programme for the area. The other recovery programmes. very closely with the locals, sharing botanical gardens are willing to go and information about plants that grow in their dig out plants that would be destroyed Making a seed collection environment, and that the elders will in and grow them in the Gardens wherever turn share with us any information about possible. The Lowveld and the proposed We found about 150 plants of A. spinosa the known uses of such plants. Limpopo NBG are the most likely NBGs growing at Masequa Farm, of which where these plants could be grown in around 40 per cent were in fruit, and I Processing the seed collection suitable conditions. concluded it was worth collecting their seed. The seeds, checked using hand- Back at SANBI, I submitted the herbarium As a footnote, there has been some lenses, were found to be in good shape specimen for verification of the collection evidence of damage to large stems of for collection and conservation. I advised at the National Herbarium, Pretoria. This the Mamvuka Adenia spinosa plants that the local people about the method and specimen is a new botanical record of the could have been caused by wild animals locality and population where the seed and I shall be working with the local was collected. The seeds needed to be people to determine the real cause. The cleaned immediately as they were still wet species is not known to have medicinal and could have gone mouldy if left for uses, but the investigation should show long inside the flesh. Having removed the whether the damage was done by fleshy materials, I placed the seeds in a animals or by medicinal collectors. container. Each seed was then washed in water gently but thoroughly, until the soft Livhuwani Auldrean Nkuna is the semi-slimy membrane around it was Gardens Conservation Manager for removed, and the seeds then placed in SANBI National Botanical Gardens and open trays in a dry room. is also responsible for managing the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership in Herbarium specimens, SANBI’s National Herbarium South Africa.
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 9 FEATURE
FEATURED GARDENS THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM AND BOTANIC GARDENS OF MALAWI
The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden (NHBG) at Zomba was the first botanic garden to be established in Malawi. The NHBG has since established two more gardens in Lilongwe and Mzuzu, and all three botanic gardens are involved in in situ and ex situ conservation of rare and endangered plant species, e.g. Widdringtonia whytei (Mulanje Cedar) and Khaya anthotheca (Mbawa). They also offer recreational and educational services and propagate and sell a number of ornamental and indigenous plants.
Zomba Botanic Garden Zomba Mountain. The beautiful Mulunguzi River passes through the omba Botanic Garden was founded garden before flowing into Lake Chirwa, by Alexander Whyte, Scottish the second largest lake in Malawi, The Zexplorer and botanist, between boulder terrain in the northern part of the 1891 and 1895 and was originally the garden and the fish pond add beauty to grounds of the British Consul’s Residency the garden, while its tranquility is (now the Government Hostel). The garden enhanced by the sounds of the numerous was established as an experimental area insects and birds the garden attracts. for newly introduced plants in order to promote agricultural enterprise. After Plant collections Independence, the maintenance of the garden was entrusted to the Forestry The garden’s plant collection includes Department until it was transferred to the around 132 species, most of which are National Herbarium and Botanic Garden indigenous to Malawi. Some of the (NHBG) in 1987. indigenous plants protected in the garden include Khaya anthotheca, The garden, which is located in the east Parinari excelsa, Newtonia buchananii , of Zomba district, covers some 25 and many more. Zomba Botanic Garden Inside the National Herbarium of Malawi. (BGCI) hectares and is situated at the foot of also has a medicinal plant garden which
10 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 10-11 hectare garden was established in 1989. mountain with communities in Lilongwe The garden is conveniently located close as well as the establishment of medicinal to the seat of Malawi’s Government plant gardens for Traditional Healers (Capital Hill) and next to the Parliament Associations in Lilongwe and Kasungu Building. It is also close to the business districts. district with its many hotels and restaurants. The Lilongwe Botanic Garden The Garden is also very much involved in is an hour’s drive away from the beautiful educational programmes with a number Lake Malawi in Salima district which of schools around Lilongwe, at tertiary, Zacharia Magombo, Acting Director General of the makes it popular with holiday makers. secondary and primary levels. As a result National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi. of this, the Garden has become an (BGCI) The Lilongwe Botanic Garden features important hub for environmental national monuments commemorating education in the city. conserves some of the important those who died during the First World species used by traditional healers. War and national freedom fighters. The Mzuzu Botanic Garden The collections include some of Malawi’s garden also houses the beautiful statue rare and threatened plants such as of the first Head of State, Dr. Hastings The 554.6 hectare Mzuzu Botanic Encephalartos gratus (Mulanje cycad), Kamuzu Banda. Garden is situated in Mzuzu City in the the rare and threatened but yet Northern Region of Malawi. The garden medicinally important plants such Plant collections was established in 1989 on a site that as Dalbergia melanoxylon and was gazetted in 1948 as Kaning’ina Erythrophleum suaveolens . The common As a newly designated site for a botanic Forest Reserve, primarily as a catchment plant families found in the garden garden, the collections largely feature area of the Lunyangwa River. include Caesalpinioideae, indigenous plants with a few exotics. Cupressaceae, Euphorbiaceae, The vegetation type in the Garden is Plant collections Mimosoideae and Myrtaceae . mostly Piliostigma/Combretum/Acacia mixed woodland. The common species The plants of Mzuzu Botanic Garden are Key activities include Afzelia quanzensis , Acacia 90% indigenous species. Some of the polyacantha , Albizia spp., Combretum plants being protected in the garden The Garden’s research programmes spp., Dalbergia spp., Lonchocarpus include the rare and endangered plant focus on the development of seed capassa and Ximenia caffra etc. Apart species Aloe duckeri, Aloe swynnertonii, germination and propagation techniques from the indigenous tree species, Ozoroa reticulata ssp. foveolata, Croton for Malawian plants, especially those Lilongwe Botanic Garden also features megalobotrys and Darbergia melanoxylon . that are rare and threatened. Surveys of an Aloe garden. threatened species to be targeted for Key activities introduction to the garden are also Key activities conducted. The Garden has been The Mzuzu Botanic Garden has become involved in the conservation and Lilongwe Botanic Garden has been a centre of attraction for education in rehabilitation of surrounding ecosystems involved in the reforestation of relation to conservation, environmental such as the Chirunga Forest (in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve (catchment and other plant science research as partnership with Chancellor College, area for the Lilongwe river) through the evidenced by frequent visits by members University of Malawi), the rehabilitation provision of seedlings, in the of academic institutions such as Mzuzu of river banks such as the Likangala river conservation of Ngala ya pakamwa University and other foreign universities. and streams at Ulumba, as well as the establishment of medicinal gardens for traditional healers in Zomba and Mangochi districts (Southern Malawi), and Rumphi district (Northern Malawi). In terms of education and awareness- raising, the Garden works closely with a number of schools within the Municipality, at all levels from primary to tertiary level. As well as working with schools, the Garden has trained communities and traditional healers in nursery establishment and management.
Lilongwe Botanic Garden
The Lilongwe Botanic Garden is situated in Lilongwe, Malawi’s Capital City, in the Central Region of Malawi. The 118 Bridge crossing the Mulunguzi River in Zomba Botanic Garden. (BGCI)
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 11 ARTICLES
BOTANIC GARDENS AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION: AN INTRODUCTION
INCORPORATING HISTORY TO IMPROVE PRAIRIE RESTORATIONS
THE RESTORATION SEED BANK INITIATIVE
RESCUING CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES IN BELGIUM
ENHANCING TREE CONSERVATION AND FOREST RESTORATION IN EAST AFRICA
RESTORING HONG KONG’S MONTANE FOREST
NATIVE SEEDS FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
12 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) Images: Barney Wilczak
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 13 ARTICLE
Author: Paul Smith
BOTANIC GARDENS AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION: AN INTRODUCTION
Given the obvious need for restoration, instead of ‘Why do restoration?’, the question becomes ‘How do we do restoration?’, and this is where the botanic garden sector comes in. Images: Barney Wilczak
amounts of funding are available for manages a few dozen species at most afforestation and restoration, whether it and the forestry sector a few hundred is in the catchment forests of Kenya, the species. What these sectors do well, deserts of the Sahel or the rainforests of however, is manage plant diversity on Southeast Asia. a grand scale and with a full understanding of the importance of There is also recognition that the infraspecific diversity. Clearly we can he question of whether botanic planting of monocultures of the past is learn from each other. gardens, foresters, conservationists ineffective because without diversity Tand other land managers need to there is no resilience. Millions of hectares repair habitats is no longer asked. of forest monocultures around the world Humans have transformed 50% of are affected by emerging pests and the terrestrial landscape, converting diseases, resulting from climate change biologically diverse habitats into crop and human-assisted pathogen mobility. production, pastoral fields and urban centres. In doing so, we have Given the obvious need for restoration, inadvertently disrupted, and in some instead of ‘Why do restoration?’, the cases destroyed, the functionality of question becomes ‘How do we do whole ecosystems, leading to significant restoration?’, and this is where the problems of water scarcity, erosion, loss botanic garden sector comes in. As a of pollinators, loss of biodiversity and the professional community, we manage at emergence of new pests and diseases. least one third of known plant diversity in This is widely recognized by policymakers our living collections – more by far than and society with the result that large any other sector. The crop community
14 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 14-15 In recognition of the unique contribution that botanic gardens can make to ERA GOALS ecological restoration, the Ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens (ERA) was formed four years ago. ERA is Work with local partners to set up, maintain and document a series of long a global consortium of botanic gardens 1 term, sustainable, exemplar restoration projects in diverse biophysical, actively engaged in ecological political, and cultural contexts around the globe that provide training and restoration, the members of which have demonstrate the value of a carefully designed, science-driven approach to agreed to support efforts to scale up the sustainable ecological restoration. restoration of damaged, degraded and destroyed ecosystems around the world, Improve the quality and volume of science-based ecological restoration contributing to the Sustainable 2 practice by deploying scientific and horticultural skills to applied work on Development Goals and the United the ground. Nations’ target to restore 15 per cent of the world’s degraded ecosystems by Conduct ecological restoration research, to develop an enhanced 2020. ERA is coordinated by BGCI and 3 knowledge base for restoration and identify and inform best practice. currently has 30 member botanic gardens carrying out ecological Disseminate research and lessons learnt from projects. restoration projects in a diverse range 4 of ecosystems and cultural contexts. Build expertise and restoration capacity through collaborations between One of the key objectives of ERA is to 5 botanic gardens, large and small, as well as with partners in local work in collaboration with other sectors communities, professional societies, academia, industry, government, to carry out ecological restoration, and in NGOs and international bodies. May, I attended an excellent conference organized by the USDA Forest Service, entitled ‘Banking on the future: gene conservation of forest trees’. This So, how are we doing? A recent audit of This scale of activity is encouraging but meeting was convened in order for the ERA activities indicates that significant represents the contributions of just 30 botanic garden community to meet and progress and momentum have been gardens. As ERA continues to gather discuss common areas of interest with generated by the Alliance over the past momentum, we look forward to foresters. Habitat restoration was a 5 years (see box below). welcoming more members to the Alliance. strong common theme.
It is not only the professional ERA PORTFOLIO communities that are asking the How? question. Broader society is also looking for assistance. In March of this year, 30 participating gardens and arboreta BGCI, on behalf of ERA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the 148 restoration projects in a diverse range of habitats and cultural contexts UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Reserve programme. Under this MoU, 537 specialists engaged in restoration activities ERA will help to train and advise Biosphere Reserve managers in how to Restoration sites at scales ranging from 0.1 hectare to 50,000 km 2 go about restoring degraded landscapes, a significant enough problem for US$158 million of project funding leveraged in the past 5 years ecological restoration to be written into UNESCO MAB’s new 10 year action plan.
That there is demand for our skills there is no doubt, but how are we, the botanic For more information about the To tell us more about the ecological garden community, going to respond? work of ERA member gardens, restoration work carried out by your ERA’s mission is very clear. It is please visit our website: institution, and enable us to better quantify ‘to mobilize botanic gardens, arboreta the contribution of botanic gardens to and seed banks to carry out science- www.erabg.org ecological restoration globally please based ecological restoration by complete this short online survey: marshalling their expertise, networks, If your garden is interested in and resources to help achieve the joining ERA, please contact https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ restoration outcomes needed for human ERA_Survey_2016 well-being and a sustainable future for [email protected] (active to end of October 2016). life on Earth.’ This mission translates into five main goals (see box).
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 15 ARTICLE
Author: Rebecca S. Barak and Evelyn W. Williams
INCORPORATING HISTORY TO IMPROVE PRAIRIE RESTORATIONS
Botanic gardens aim to re-create prairie habitat, taking inspiration from patches of existing remnant prairies.
Schulenberg Prairie at the Morton Arboretum, one of the oldest restored prairies in the Midwest United States, was started in 1962. The prairie is a wonderful example of a high diversity prairie. (The Morton Arboretum)
Introduction including a gravel prairie, a wet prairie, Botanic gardens and prairie and an oak savanna, demonstrating the restoration very year more than a million range of grassland habitats native to the visitors to the Chicago Botanic Midwestern United States. But Dixon Botanic gardens in the Midwestern EGarden walk through impressive, isn’t remnant habitat that was passed United States have a long history of well-designed gardens with manicured over by farm fields and urban research and practice for prairie landscapes featuring beautiful development; it is a created prairie. restoration. Curtis Prairie, the earliest horticultural plants. But beyond the documented prairie restoration, was structured formal gardens, visitors are In 1980 the Chicago Botanic Garden established in 1935 on post-agricultural able to experience a piece of the established the prairie, hauling in gravel, land at the University of Wisconsin historical Midwestern landscape: the sand, and topsoil to recreate the Arboretum using plant materials gleaned Suzanne S. Dixon Prairie, a 15 acre appropriate soils for these prairie from intact remnant prairies (Cottam and mosaic of prairie communities including communities and, over the years, Wilson, 1966). In 1962 the Schulenberg tallgrass, wet, gravel hill, and sand planting thousands of plugs of prairie Prairie was initiated at the Morton prairies interwoven with oak savannas species. Today, the Dixon prairie is one Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, by and wetlands. Dixon Prairie packs of the highlights for visitors to Chicago painstakingly planting individual forb and multiple habitat types into those acres, Botanic Garden. grass plants (Bowles et al ., 2012). Many
16 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 16-19 Andropogon geradii Poaceae, grass Schizachyrium scoparius Bouteloua hirsuta Fig. 1 – Based on the species present, a prairie can Bouteloua curtipendula Iridaceae, iris Sisyrinchium albidum have high or low phylogenetic distance even with Iris veriscolor Lespedeza capitata the same number of species. Each prairie here has Melilotus alba Fabaceae, legume Desmodium illinoense Fragaria virginiana five species, but prairie 2 has species across the Rubus flagellaris Rosaceae, rose Prunus serotina tree – species from families like Poaceae, Solidago altissima Asteraceae, sunflower Solidago gigantea Asteraceae, Fabaceae. Prairie 1 has low Ratibida pinnata Eupatorium perfoliatum phylogenetic diversity because all five species Liatris aspera Lamiaceae, mint Monarda fistulosa are closely related, from the same family. Monarda punctata Scutellaria parvula of the restoration and management prairie restoration. Our goal is to create measure allows us to calculate how methods used today to restore diverse diverse and functional prairies to meet much of the evolutionary “tree of life” is prairies, such as prescribed fire and soil restoration objectives. We investigate captured by a given plant community. inoculation, were developed though how manipulating different facets of research and management at botanic plant diversity may increase ecosystem Incorporating multiple facets of gardens (Cottam and Wilson, 1966; functioning at restored sites. biodiversity Bowles et al ., 2012). By sustaining Researchers studying the relationship restorations far beyond the time of any between biodiversity and ecosystem As a simple example, consider two one researcher or practitioner, botanic function have quantified biodiversity as prairie plots that have the same richness gardens have helped to write the history species richness - a count of species of five species (Fig. 1). All five species in of what it means to restore a prairie. present in the community (Fig. 1). the first prairie are from the Asteraceae While species richness is informative (aster family), while species from the But restoration is not easy. At Dixon for understanding many ecosystem second are from a range of families prairie, Chicago Botanic Garden properties, it is neutral with respect to including Poaceae (grass), Fabaceae managers and researchers continue to differences between species: each (legumes), and Lamiaceae (mints). refine their management practices. For species counts equally, no matter its Greater evolutionary history, or example, Chicago Botanic Garden has identity. Our research focuses on the phylogenetic diversity, is represented by had difficulty establishing certain desired utility of phylogenetic diversity in the plant community at the second plant species because of site conditions. ecological restoration. Phylogenetic prairie, because it includes species that In addition, exotic invasive species from diversity quantifies the evolutionary are more distantly related. Not only will the surrounding urban/suburban distance between species in a these two prairies look different, but they landscape present a persistent challenge community, combining ecology with might function differently as well. Closely despite continued efforts on the part of evolutionary biology (Webb et al ., 2002; related species tend to have similar staff members. Dixon Prairie, like all Cavender-Bares et al ., 2009). This traits, whether it’s floral characteristics, prairie restorations, requires constant maintenance, as well as ongoing research to achieve restoration goals.
Botanic gardens are particularly suited to carrying out ecological restoration as they have access to the necessary resources, expertise and infrastructure, and both researchers and practitioners are housed within the same organization. This structure allows for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary scientific research to solve applied problems in restoration.
Creating diverse and functional prairies
We, as researchers from the Chicago Botanic Garden, along with collaborators at the University of Minnesota, and the Morton Arboretum are investigating the role of different measures of plant diversity in meeting restoration goals. Our project team also includes additional researchers, professionals, students, Restorations at botanic gardens like the Dixon Prairie at Chicago Botanic Garden allow visitors of all ages to landowners and other stakeholders in experience historic landscapes. (Robin Carlson)
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 17 The Suzanne S. Dixon prairie at the Chicago Botanic Garden, initiated in 1980. (Robin Carlson) root architecture, or tissue nutrient ground (Cadotte, 2013), are more stable include a greenhouse and field content concentrations, because they (Cadotte, Dinnage and Tilman, 2012), experiment to tease out the mechanisms evolved more recently from a common more resistant to invasion by exotic behind the effects of phylogenetic ancestor. By assessing the processes species (Gerhold et al ., 2011), and diversity on invasion and competition, that mediate phylogenetic diversity at support a greater diversity of pollinators and to determine how phylogenetic and restored prairies, as well as the effects of and other arthropods (Dinnage et al ., functional diversity interact to influence phylogenetic diversity on key ecosystem 2012). Phylogenetic diversity helps ecosystem function. function, our group is using evolutionary explain ecosystem function because history to improve our understanding of it accounts for the trait diversity we can Preliminary results community and restoration ecology. see (height, habit) and the diversity we can’t see, or don’t think to measure. Though our research is in the early We are testing the We are testing the relationships between stages, a few preliminary results point to phylogenetic diversity, functional a role for phylogenetic considerations in r“elationships between diversity, and ecosystem function ecological restoration. When we examine phylogenetic diversity, through ongoing research in established the number of exotic species in our plots restored prairies, greenhouse from each site, we see that plots with functional diversity and competition trials, and restoration high species richness and phylogenetic ecosystem function. field experiments. diversity also have fewer invasive exotics. These findings agree with ” To understand the role of phylogenetic previous research on the importance How might an understanding of diversity in restoration outcomes, we of diversity, specifically phylogenetic phylogenetic diversity contribute to first set out to quantify the phylogenetic diversity, in improving a restoration’s restoration? Previous research has diversity in existing restored prairies in ability to resist invasion (Gerhold et al ., found compelling evidence that high the Chicago area. We surveyed the plant 2011; Li et al ., 2015). But our results species richness has positive impacts on community and measured soil also reveal areas for future work. restoration outcomes like productivity conditions at 19 restored prairies. Where For example, a phylogenetically diverse (Tilman et al ., 1997) and invasion possible, we also gathered background seed mix doesn’t always result in a resistance (Naeem et al ., 2000). But in information about the site including the phylogenetically diverse prairie, because many studies, phylogenetic diversity is a original planting mix and the dates of some species do not establish, a pattern stronger predictor of ecosystem function major restoration and management also found by Barber et al . (2016). It’s than species richness, or even functional activities. We also classified every likely that site conditions and ongoing (trait) diversity (Cadotte, Cardinale and species we found at each site as native, management interact with seed mix Oakley, 2008). Communities with higher exotic, or invasive in order to determine diversity to influence phylogenetic plant phylogenetic diversity are more whether diverse prairies are in fact more diversity of a site (Larkin et al ., 2015). productive both above and below invasion-resistant. Ongoing experiments As we continue our work, we will use
18 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) our research findings to develop Rebecca S. Barak , Dinnage, R., M. W. Cadotte, N. M. phylogenetic tools for restoration PhD Candidate Haddad, G. M. Crutsinger and D. practitioners to use at the planning Program in Plant Biology and Tilman. 2012. Diversity of plant stage (Hipp et al ., 2015). Conservation evolutionary lineages promotes Chicago Botanic Garden and arthropod diversity. Ecology Letters Natural connections Northwestern University 15: 1308-1317.
Prairie restorations provide ecosystem Evelyn W. Williams , Gerhold, P., M. Pärtel, O. Tackenberg, services and help conserve native Adjunct Conservation Scientist S. M. Hennekens, I. Bartish, J. H. J. species, but also have an important role Plant Science and Conservation Schaminée, A. J. F. Fergus, et al . in building connections between people Chicago Botanic Garden 2011. Phylogenetically Poor Plant and nature. A final and significant benefit Communities Receive More Alien of botanic gardens participating in References Species, Which More Easily Coexist ecological restoration is the natural with Natives. The American Naturalist connection between restoration activities , Barber, N. A., H. P. Jones, M. R. 177: 668-680. and science communication practiced at Duvall, W. P. Wysocki, N. J. Hansen botanic gardens. For example, as part of and D. J. Gibson. 2016. Phylogenetic , Hipp, A. L., D. J. Larkin, R. S. Barak, our collaboration, we have partnered diversity is maintained despite M. L. Bowles, M. W. Cadotte, S. K. with the Morton Arboretum and a local richness losses over time in restored Jacobi, E. Lonsdorf, et al . 2015. high school to develop a student tallgrass prairie plant communities. Phylogeny in the service of ecological research module. Students became Journal of Applied Ecology restoration. American Journal of ‘citizen scientists’ and developed 10.1111/1365-2664.12639: n/a. Botany 102: 1-2. research projects related to prairie restoration and phylogenetic diversity; , Bowles, M. L., B. C. Scharenbroch, W. , Larkin, D. J., A. L. Hipp, J. Kattge, W. over 100 students have participated in Sluis and M. D. Jones. 2012. The Prescott, R. K. Tonietto, S. K. Jacobi this program to date. We also work with Schulenberg prairie: a benchmark in and M. L. Bowles. 2015. Phylogenetic the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Science ecological restoration . Morton measures of plant communities show Careers Continuum to involve students Arboretum, Lisle, IL. long-term change and impacts of fire of all ages, including volunteers, high management in tallgrass prairie school interns, and undergraduate and , Cadotte, M. W. 2013. Experimental remnants. Journal of Applied Ecology graduate students, in our research in the evidence that evolutionarily diverse 52: 1638-1648. field and the lab. Through mentoring, assemblages result in higher outreach and education, botanic productivity. Proceedings of the , Li, S.-P., T. Guo, M. W. Cadotte, Y.-J. gardens can help garner support for National Academy of Sciences 110: Chen, J.-L. Kuang, Z.-S. Hua, Y. Zeng, restoration activities and educate 8996-9000. et al . 2015. Contrasting effects of restoration scientists and practitioners of phylogenetic relatedness on plant the future. At Chicago Botanic Garden, , Cadotte, M. W., B. J. Cardinale, and invader success in experimental this dedication to restoration means that T. H. Oakley. 2008. Evolutionary grassland communities. Journal of even the youngest visitors have the history and the effect of biodiversity Applied Ecology 52: 89-99. opportunity to hike through history in the on plant productivity. Proceedings of Dixon prairie. the National Academy of Sciences , Naeem, S., J. M. H. Knops, D. Tilman, 105: 17012-17017. K. M. Howe, T. Kennedy and S. Gale. Acknowledgements 2000. Plant diversity increases , Cadotte, M. W., R. Dinnage and D. resistance to invasion in the absence We thank the landowners and Tilman. 2012. Phylogenetic diversity of covarying extrinsic factors. Oikos practitioners who restore prairies in promotes ecosystem stability. Ecology 91: 97-108. Chicagoland and allow us to conduct 93: S223-S233. research on their sites. We thank Gabriela , Tilman, D., J. Knops, D. Wedin, P. Carr, Meghan Kramer, Taran , Cavender-Bares, J., K. H. Kozak, P. V. Reich, M. Ritchie and E. Siemann. Lichtenberger, Bob Sherman, and Alyssa A. Fine and S. W. Kembel. 2009. The 1997. The influence of functional Wellman-Houde. Funding sources include merging of community ecology and diversity and composition on NSF-REU at Chicago Botanic Garden phylogenetic biology. Ecology Letters ecosystem processes. Science 277: and Morton Arboretum, NSF DEB- 12: 693-715. 1300-1302. 1354426, The Program in Plant Biology and Conservation at Northwestern , Cottam, G. and H. C. Wilson. 1966. , Webb, C. O., D. D. Ackerly, M. A. University and Chicago Botanic Garden, Community dynamics on an artificial McPeek and M. J. Donoghue. 2002. and the Illinois Association of prairie. Ecology 47: 88-96. Phylogenies and community ecology. Environmental Professionals. Kay Annual Review of Ecology and Havens, Andrea Kramer, Andrew Hipp, Systematics 33: 475-505. Dan Larkin, Joan O'Shaughnessy and the Kramer-Havens lab group provided helpful input on this paper.
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 19 ARTICLE
Authors: Shane R. Turner, Todd E. Erickson, Miriam Muñoz-Rojas and David J. Merritt
THE RESTORATION SEED BANK INITIATIVE – A FOCUS ON BIODIVERSE RESTORATION IN THE SEMI-ARID PILBARA OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Sufficient and timely supplies of seeds of wild plant species are required to support ecological restoration projects
The Pilbara is a highly weathered ancient landscape that contains some of the oldest dated rocks in the world (>3 billion years). It is also a landscape dominated by unique hummock-forming grasses ( Triodia spp.) which have proven to be quite difficult to germinate on demand due to complex seed dormancy. (Shane Turner)
Introduction of the people of Western Australia, leads Location of the Pilbara bioregion (hatched area) in a number of research projects aimed at the northwest of Western Australia. ll over the world seeds of wild improving restoration techniques and plant species are at the heart of technologies using seeds. scalable environmental restoration. The Alandscape-scale restoration. RSB is not just about scientific endeavor, However, poor seed quality and low One of the largest of these projects, the but also linking applied science with establishment success can frustrate Restoration Seed Bank Initiative (RSB) sustainable development, local attempts to re-instate biodiverse plant (http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/research/ communities, mining companies, and communities (Merritt & Dixon, 2011; restoration-seedbank-initiative), is a five government in a collegial partnership to James et al . 2013). With the growing year multidisciplinary research project provide tangible environmental, social recognition of the importance of that crystallizes an ambitious vision for and economic benefits. landscape-scale ecological restoration the restoration of mine-impacted in biodiversity protection comes an landscapes in the Pilbara region of The Pilbara biogeographical region of increasing demand for biological and Western Australia. The RSB unites the Western Australia is a biologically technical knowledge of seeds and how expertise and resources of BGPA, The unique, ancient, and highly distinctive to use them their effectively. The Botanic University of Western Australia (UWA), landscape. Around 1,800 plant species Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) who and BHP Billiton Iron Ore to develop the occur in this semi-arid zone, of which administer and manage Kings Park and science, knowledge, and technical skills 15% are endemic (Erickson & Merritt, Botanic Garden and Bold Park on behalf required to achieve cost-effective and 2016). The region is also a major area of
20 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 20-23 Ore seed holdings. This will be done in a way that supports ongoing research and technology development to promote biodiverse restoration in a cost effective manner.
An important activity of the seed bank is the ongoing training of mine site environmental staff and other land managers in seed curation and database management, with a particular focus on seed quality assessment and correct seed handling and storage.
Program 2 - Seed Storage
The storage of seeds represents the most A small section of the Mt Whaleback pit near Newman in Western Australia which is one of the largest iron ore efficient method of appropriating large pits in the world. (Shane Turner) amounts of genetically representative germplasm for undertaking large-scale resource development (Ye, 2008) with Good seed bank management restoration. Seed banking also allows more than 90% of Australia’s iron ore underpins successful restoration restoration practitioners to take advantage extracted and exported from the Pilbara. “ of years when seasonal conditions are The disturbance footprint of established efforts as high quality seeds are good and seed production is abundant, and emerging iron mine operations in the critical for ongoing restoration thereby providing a resource for Pilbara is in the order of at least 230,000 restoration activities during poor seasons. hectares (EPA, 2013). Ecological programs. This program is examining seed storage restoration at this scale creates unique behavior and longevity to ensure seed challenges, not the least of which is seed ” quality, enhance seed usability and, where supply. Current seeding rates used for Program 1 - Seed Bank beneficial, store seeds in a manner that restoration in this region average 5 - 7 Management and Curation promotes dormancy loss. Maintaining kg/ha, meaning that at least 700 tonnes seed under optimal storage conditions of wild-sourced native seed is needed to This program aims to develop the ensures that seeds retrieved from storage restore the 120,000 hectares of framework, facilities, and handling will produce healthy, vigorous seedlings disturbed land currently required to be processes to curate seeds from all that have the best chance of in situ rehabilitated (EPA, 2014). Add to this the current and future BHP Billiton Iron growth and development once sown. significant variation in the purity and viability of wild-collected seeds, as well as difficulties created by substandard seed storage conditions and lack of information regarding seed germination requirements, and seed science clearly becomes central to optimizing restoration practices (James et al ., 2013; Merritt, Golos & Erickson, 2016).
Enter the RSB initiative; part of a long- term partnership between the BGPA and BHP Billiton Iron Ore. The RSB is built around four core research programs: 1) Seed Bank Management and Curation; 2) Seed Storage; 3) Seed Capability and Enablement; and 4) Growing Medium. The focus of the project is to deliver the science needed for cost-effective restoration of biodiverse native plant communities, thus reducing the impacts of mining on the environment. It is envisioned that the restoration template developed over the next few years will in time be transferable to other regions of Preliminary in situ trial investigating the potential of seed orcharding approaches to increase seed production Australia, as well as internationally. and seed quality. (Todd Erickson)
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 21 Program 3 - Seed Capability and Enablement
As one of the largest programs in the RSB, the Seed Capability & Enablement program is focused on enhancing seed germination and seedling establishment. Up to 70% of native species produce seeds with some form of dormancy (Erickson, Merritt & Turner, 2016). Therefore, a key task of this program is to characterise seed dormancy types, resolve germination requirements, and understand how and when to apply germination stimulants such as smoke (Erickson et al ., 2016). Seed dormancy BHPBIO restoration site on a waste rock dump several years after the completion of restoration work showing is not the only challenge, however. Once above average recovery and regeneration. This site was seeded using up to date science-based seeding the problems relating to seed dormancy techniques utilising seeds stored according to “best practice” approaches developed by the RSB research and germination have been solved, it is team. (Brad Stokes) by no means assured that seeds will perform in the field as required. Under assessed to understand the impact of rainfall conditions is a particular focus current restoration approaches seedling growing conditions on commercial-scale (Muñoz-Rojas et al ., 2016c). A major establishment in situ is commonly less seed production and consequently the component of the program centres on than 10%, even when germination of feasibility of high-intensity seed seedling emergence trials at a purpose- >90% can be achieved in the laboratory. orcharding for a range of priority built, 1200 m 2 rain-out shelter at the Therefore, innovative new seed species, particularly endemic native Mount Whaleback mine site of BHP enhancement technologies are being grasses. Billiton Iron Ore. This rain-out shelter explored and adapted for use on wild is a first for environmental rehabilitation seeds - seed priming, seed coating and Program 4 – Growing Medium research in Australia, and provides for a pelleting (Guzzomi et al . 2016; Madsen greatly enhanced capacity to perform et al . 2016; Merritt, Golos & Erickson, The Growing Medium program aims to research trials under carefully simulated 2016) to promote seedling stress develop growth media that will optimise natural environmental conditions in the tolerance and enhance germination and the establishment of native plants Pilbara. These field trials will test new emergence rates. The final component of following mining. At mine sites it is technologies being developed to improve this program is centred on evaluating the common for there to be a significant plant performance under various rainfall potential of seed orchards to deficit of original topsoil due to the mining conditions and soil-type scenarios. supplement seed collection strategies methods employed. With the abundance from wild populations. Seed orchards of mining waste material, this program is Conclusion are horticulturally-managed stands of examining ways of utilising blends of genetically diverse mother plants different substrate types for restoration. The research programs of the RSB have maintained for the mass production of Growth media must provide suitable been designed with the challenges high quality seeds. Demonstration seed conditions for seed germination, associated with landscape-scale orchards are currently being set up and emergence, and successive growth – restoration in mind. The challenges factors influenced by soil physical, being faced by restoration practitioners chemical and biological properties to re-instate biodiverse native plant (Muñoz-Rojas et al ., 2016a; Muñoz-Rojas communities cannot be solved by et al ., 2016b). As moisture is the key individual institutions alone, but rather limiting resource for germination in the require multi-disciplinary teams with a Pilbara, the emergence of selected long-term commitment and vision, and species under different temperature and a critical mass of staff and funding.
The seed bank of BHP Billiton Iron Ore contains seeds for use in mine site restoration. The room is maintained at 15°C and 15% relative humidity. Recently sown seed pellets scattered across the soil surface. Right – recently germinated Triodia spp. (Brad Stokes) seedling emerging from a pellet several weeks after surface sowing. (Todd Erickson)
22 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) There is a strong focus on collaboration northwest (eds T.E. Erickson, R.L. and outreach to ensure the knowledge Barrett, D.J. Merritt & K.W. Dixon), pp. generated is accessible to the mining 17-34. CSIRO Publishing, Dickson, sector, land management groups, and Australian Capital Territory. the restoration community in general. Whilst the focus is on the Pilbara region , Erickson, T.E., Shackelford, N., Dixon, of Western Australia, the ultimate goal is K.W., Turner, S.R. & Merritt, D.J. 2016. to provide generic principles for Overcoming physiological dormancy enhancing seed-based restoration in in seeds of Triodia (Poaceae) to other equally diverse ecosystems improve restoration in the arid zone. (Kildisheva et al ., 2016). Restoration Ecology , in press, doi: 10.1111/rec.12357. References , Guzzomi, A.L., Erickson, T.E., Ling, , EPA 2013. Environmental Protection K.Y., Dixon, K.W. & Merritt, D.J. 2016. RSB research staff involved in extension work with a Authority 2012-13 Annual Report . Flash flaming effectively removes group of mine environmental managers discussing seed Environmental Protection Authority, appendages and improves the seed management and restoration issues. (Todd Erickson) Perth, Western Australia - coating potential of grass florets. http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/AbouttheE Restoration Ecology , in press, doi: , Merritt, D.J., Golos, P.J. & Erickson, PA/annualreports/Pages/default.aspx 10.1111/rec.12386. T.E. 2016. A systematic approach to ?cat=Annual%20Reports&url=Aboutth seed management for restoration. eEPA/annualreports. , James, J.J., Sheley, R.L., Erickson, T., Pilbara seed atlas and field guide: Rollins, K.S., Taylor, M.H. & Dixon, plant restoration in Australia's arid , EPA 2014. Environmental Protection K.W. 2013. A systems approach to northwest (eds T.E. Erickson, R.L. Authority 2013-14 Annual Report. restoring degraded drylands. Journal Barrett, D.J. Merritt & K.W. Dixon), Environmental Protection Authority, of Applied Ecology 50 : 730-739. pp. 35-42. CSIRO Publishing, Perth, Western Australia - Dickson, Australian Capital Territory. http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/AbouttheE , Kildisheva, O.A., Erickson, T.E., PA/annualreports/Pages/default.aspx Merritt, D.J. & Dixon, K.W. 2016. , Muñoz-Rojas, M., Erickson, T.E., ?cat=Annual%20Reports&url=Aboutth Setting the scene for dryland Dixon, K.W. & Merritt, D.J. 2016a. Soil eEPA/annualreports. restoration: an overview and key quality indicators to assess findings from a workshop targeting functionality of restored soils in , Erickson, T.E. & Merritt, D.J. 2016. seed enablement technologies. degraded semiarid ecosystems. Introduction to plant diversity of the Restoration Ecology , in press, doi: Restoration Ecology , in press, doi: Pilbara. Pilbara seed atlas and field 10.1111/rec.12368. 10.1111/rec.12368. guide: plant restoration in Australia's arid northwest (eds T.E. Erickson, R.L. , Madsen, M.D., Davies, K.W., Boyd, , Muñoz-Rojas, M., Erickson, T.E., Barrett, D.J. Merritt & K.W. Dixon), pp. C.S., Kerby, J.D. & Svejcar, T.J. 2016. Martini, D., Dixon, K.W. & Merritt, D.J. 1-6. CSIRO Publishing, Dickson, Emerging seed enhancement 2016b. Soil physicochemical and Australian Capital Territory. technologies for overcoming barriers microbiological indicators of short, to restoration. Restoration Ecology , in medium, and long term post-fire , Erickson, T.E., Merritt, D.J. & Turner, press. recovery in semi-arid ecosystems. S.R. 2016. Seed dormancy and Ecological Indicators 63 : 14-22. germination of arid zone species. , Merritt, D.J. & Dixon, K.W. 2011. Pilbara seed atlas and field guide: Restoration seed banks - a matter of , Muñoz-Rojas, M., Erickson, T.E., plant restoration in Australia's arid scale. Science 332 : 424-425. Martini, D.C., Dixon, K.W. & Merritt, D.J. 2016c. Climate and soil factors influencing seedling recruitment of plant species used for dryland restoration. SOIL Discuss ., 1-22, doi:10.5194/soil-2016-5125, in review - http://www.soil-discuss.net/soil- 2016-5125/.
, Ye, Q. 2008. Commodity booms and their impacts on the Western Australian economy: the iron ore case. Left - the recently completed RSB controlled environment facility (CEF) situated in proximity to active restoration Resources Policy 33 : 83-101. sites. This shelter will test different restoration soil types (using up to 64 plots) and watering regimes (up to 4) that will reflect current soils available for restoration purposes as well as likely rainfall patterns seeds and Kings Park and Botanic Garden & The seedlings may naturally experience - from extreme drought right through to above average rainfall conditions. University of Western Australia, Right – in situ emergence of Pilbara species after several weeks incubation in the CEF. (Todd Erickson) Perth, Western Australia.
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 23 ARTICLE
Author: Sandrine Godefroid, Sarah Le Pajolec, and Fabienne Van Rossum
RESCUING CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES IN BELGIUM - AN AMBITIOUS REINTRODUCTION PROGRAM OF THE BOTANIC GARDEN MEISE
In addition to seed collection, young leaf material has been sampled in each source population (and target Plant vigour prior to transplantation was estimated population, in case of reinforcement) for genetic analyses. by measuring rosette diameter or leaf length and width (as shown here for Dianthus deltoides ). Introduction dispersal abilities and the absence of a Differences in plant size were detected between persistent seed bank in the soil. In the seed source populations (Godefroid et al ., 2016). n Europe semi-natural grassland framework of the EU LIFE project habitats and their characteristic ‘Herbages’ (LIFE11 NAT/BE/001060), A four-step approach Ispecies are considered as highly the Botanic Garden Meise, as a centre threatened (Pedro Silva et al ., 2008). of excellence in ex situ conservation and We first undertook a review of past and Southern Belgium is an important area plant propagation, has implemented existing reintroduction projects for the conservation of semi-natural population translocations into the wild worldwide (Godefroid & Vanderborght, grassland types listed in the annexes of for four critically endangered plant 2011). This exercise helped to identify the Habitats Directive. There is an urgent species ( Dianthus deltoides, Helichrysum several factors that positively influence need to preserve, restore and manage arenarium, Arnica montana and plant reintroduction outcomes these few remaining, often degraded, Campanula glomerata ). The aim is to (Godefroid et a l., 2011). It also revealed habitat patches. This task includes increase the effective size of the shortcomings of common experimental genetic rescue of populations of critically remaining populations (by reinforcement) designs that jeopardize the success of endangered plant species that, without and to restore extinct populations (by plant reintroductions. With this intervention, would not naturally reintroduction) in order to improve knowledge in mind, we started to regenerate because of restricted seed connectivity in the landscape. prepare reintroductions using a four-step
24 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 24-27 optimal. Therefore, population size can be a valuable criterion for selecting seed source populations. We recommend to use seeds from the largest possible source populations in order to optimize the quality of the source material used in plant reintroductions. Practitioners should also examine seed quality of source populations before undertaking reintroductions. Seed weight might be used as an estimation of seed quality. This is essential as seed size is known to affect long-lasting differences in fitness among offspring (Halpern, 2005).
Producing quality plant material requires identifying the most appropriate propagation method
Preliminary tests using different kinds of growing medium were conducted in the seed laboratory and the nursery of the After testing several propagation methods and visiting our colleagues of the LIFE project ‘Arnikawiesen’ in botanic garden. They provided valuable Luxembourg, we have developed an adequate protocol to produce 2,100 healthy plants of Arnica montana information for optimizing plant that were transplanted at the age of two months in three populations of 700 individuals each. propagation protocols. The choice of growing medium strongly influenced the approach (Godefroid et al ., 2016): 1) the • interactions with predators and germination rate of the target species selection and profiling of the target herbivores; diseases; (Godefroid et al ., 2016). For some species species; 2) the source population • seed germination requirements; (e.g. C. glomerata and A. montana ), selection and seed collection; 3) the • cultivation methods (soil changing the soil texture (e.g. by adding development of propagation protocols; requirements, timing); sand) increased germination rate by a and 4) the assessment of plant fitness of • possible causes of decline; factor of two. Such preliminary tests the populations used as seed source • (un)favourable ecological therefore provide valuable information for before planting out. management practices. not wasting seeds, since reintroductions concern rare species where the seed Species profiling is essential A careful selection of potential amount that can be collected is limited. It before implementing plant seed sources also helps to know how many seeds need reintroductions to be sown in order to obtain the required The selection of the potential number of plants. The results also show A detailed profile of each species has populations that may serve as sources that each species responds differently to been produced in order to properly for seeds was based on the following a given growing medium, confirming that evaluate the species’ biotic and abiotic criteria: 1) a similar habitat to the there is no universal protocol and that needs, its basic biology and interspecific translocation sites; 2) a size preferably of comparative trials using different kinds relationships (Godefroid et al ., 2016). We more than 50 flowering individuals, and of substrate are necessary to optimise compiled information for the following 3) a location as close as possible to the propagation protocols. aspects: translocation sites. For each species, seeds were collected following the Pre-translocation plant fitness as • conservation status in Belgium and in recommendations of ENSCONET (2009). an indicator of genetic diversity the surrounding countries; Quality assessment of harvested seeds • ecological requirements (e.g. habitat of A. montana showed a positive In order to detect possible effects of the type, soil pH and trophic level); relationship between flowering seed source population on plant • morphological traits (e.g. life form, population size and seed weight and development, we carried out plant height, leaf arrangement, root germination rate, the non-germinated morphometric measures (vegetative plant depth); seeds corresponding to empty (aborted) size) on the produced plants (between • reproductive biology (breeding seeds (Godefroid et al ., 2016). 2,000 and 3,000 individuals per target system, dicliny, dichogamy, Germination rate in D. deltoides was species): rosette diameter for A. montana, phenology, and pollination); positively correlated with population H. arenarium and C. glomerata , and the • propagation ability (e.g. clonality, size (Godefroid et al ., 2016). length and width of the longest leaf for lateral spread); seed bank type; D. deltoides . These measurements were establishment strategy; aggregation; These findings show that if local seed performed one month and one week persistence; seed dispersal capacity; sources only consist of small remnant before transplantation (when plants were ploidy; mycorrhizae; populations, seed quality may not be 4 and 7 weeks old, respectively).
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 25 Differences in pre-translocation plant fitness were detected between seed source populations, which might reflect genetic diversity and maternal effects (Godefroid et al ., 2016). As the translocated plants should retain as much genetic diversity as possible to ensure a high adaptive potential and improve establishment success, multisource reintroductions can be recommended.
More than 9,000 plants reintroduced in 17 populations
For each species, a population of 500 to 700 young individuals was transplanted into three to six sites. Once in situ these plants (which are permanently labelled) were precisely mapped to facilitate their A total of 2000 plants of Helichrysum arenarium were transplanted for reinforcement into one site and for long-term monitoring. Transplants were reintroduction into three sites, which were 1 km apart in order to promote gene flow between populations. Five positioned at an equidistance of 30 or 50 months after transplantation, more than 40% of the individuals were already flowering, with a survival rate of 98%. cm (depending on the species), and each translocated population consists of a mixture of plants from different origins Box 1. A country whose flora is among the most endangered in arranged in order to maximize pollen the world exchanges between different origins. Belgium is one of the most populated Any shrinking of these habitats affects Long-term monitoring of the countries in the world. As a the status of all characteristic species. transplants is necessary consequence, about 40% of its flora is Barely 9% of the Belgian habitats of endangered and 8% has already European interest are in favourable Long-term monitoring is necessary disappeared (Delescaille & Saintenoy- conservation status; 17% are in because initially high survival rates can Simon, 2006; Van Landuyt et al ., 2006). inadequate status, 73% are in bad be followed by reversals over time The situation is particularly critical for status and 1% are of unknown status (Fahselt, 2007; Hutchings, 2010). species that are characteristic of very (Peeters, 2014). Restoring habitats and A demographic survey (e.g. survival, localized and seriously threatened endangered species in Belgium is floral production, reproductive success, habitats, such as wet depressions on more essential than ever and it has and population extension by clonal peat soil, oligotrophic ponds or xeric become one of the core businesses propagation or seedling recruitment) sand calcareous grasslands. of the Botanic Garden Meise. is recorded yearly in the field. Seeds produced by translocated plants are collected on a subsample and germinated to estimate the offspring’s fitness (measure of germination rate, References chlorosis, and vegetative growth). Genetic diversity is estimated using , Delescaille L-M., Saintenoy-Simon J. molecular markers. 2006. L’érosion de la biodiversité : les plantes vasculaires . Report. Centre de Encouraging results Recherche de la Nature, des Forêts et du Bois - Gembloux ; Association pour The first results are beyond our l’Etude de la Floristique - Brussels. expectations: over 90% reintroduced 25pp. individuals survived the transplantation stress, and the flowering rate (> 30% on , ENSCONET. 2009. ENSCONET average) is impressive, sometimes just seed collecting manual for wild a few months after transplantation. species. European Native Seed We have also observed the presence Conservation Network. Prior to transplantation, the target areas were of seedlings, and clonal propagation, http://ensconet.maich.gr/Download.htm ‘cleaned’ to avoid competition and to maximize the indicating a potential for population chances of transplant survival. Precise mapping of expansion. Monitoring of reintroduced , Fahselt D., 2007. Is transplanting the permanently labeled individuals was carried out populations will continue for 10 years as an effective means of preserving at the time of planting in order to facilitate long-term only a long-term monitoring will tell what vegetation? Canadian Journal of monitoring. their future will be in the long run. Botany 85: 1007–1017.
26 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) , Godefroid S., Vanderborght T. 2011. Plant reintroductions: the need for a global database. Biodiversity and Conservation 20: 3683–3688.
, Godefroid S., Piazza C., Rossi G., Buord S., Stevens A.D., Aguraiuja R., Cowell C., Weekley C.W., Vogg G., Iriondo J., Johnson I., Dixon B., Gordon D., Magnanon S., Valentin B., Bjureke K., Koopman R., Vicens M., Virevaire M., Vanderborght T. 2011. How successful are plant species reintroductions? Biological Conservation 144: 672–682.
, Godefroid S., Le Pajolec S., Van Rossum F. 2016. Pre-translocation considerations in rare plant reintroductions: implications for designing protocols. Plant Ecology 217: 169-182.
, Halpern S. 2005. Sources and consequences of seed size variation in Lupinus perennis (Fabaceae): Plant fitness is monitored throughout the year. Special emphasis is put on floral display (number of flowering adaptive and non-adaptive stalks and of flowers/flower heads per stalk) and on reproductive success, through the sampling of closed ripe hypotheses. American Journal of fruits or flower heads in order to estimate seed production and quality (aborted and viable seeds). Botany 92: 205–213. , Pedro Silva J., Toland J., Jones W., , Peeters M. 2014. Fifth National Report , Hutchings M.J. 2010. The population Eldridge J., Thorpe E., O’Hara E. of Belgium to the Convention on biology of the early spider orchid 2008. LIFE and Europe’s grasslands: Biological Diversity . Royal Belgian Ophrys sphegodes Mill. III. Restoring a forgotten habitat . DG Institute of Natural Sciences, Demography over three decades. Environment of the EU (LIFE unit-E4), Brussels, 134 pp. Journal of Ecology 98: 867–878. 54 pp. , Van Landuyt W., Hoste I., Vanhecke L., Van Den Bremt P., Vercruysse W., Box 2. One of the few LIFE projects involving a botanical garden de Beer D. 2006. Atlas van de flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels The LIFE project ‘Herbages’ (LIFE11 ecological management Gewest . Flo.Wer/Instituut voor Natuur- NAT/BE/001060) started in 2013 in (deforestation, scraping the top soil, en Bosonderzoek/Nationale Southern Belgium, coordinated by seeding, fencing, and grazing by Plantentuin van België, Brussels. Natagora, a Belgian nature sheep or goats), and implementation conservation NGO. The Botanic of ecological corridors and stepping- Sandrine Godefroid 1,2 , Sarah Le Garden Meise is one of the partners, stones. Another important aspect of Pajolec 1, and Fabienne Van Rossum 1,2 together with the Walloon Directorate- the project is to prevent the extinction General for Agriculture, Natural of the habitats’ characteristic species, 1 Botanic Garden Meise Resources and Environment. The especially those that are most Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium project runs until 2019 and aims at vulnerable to fragmentation, by sandrine.godefroid@botanicgardenme improving the conservation status of population reinforcements/ ise.be 400 hectares of priority grasslands in reintroductions after the restoration of 2 Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles 26 Natura 2000 sites. LIFE funds are their habitat. The project also has a Service général de l'Enseignement used to restore 11 grassland types, significant socio-economic supérieur et de la Recherche including six priority habitats, among dimension, by providing work to small scientifique which xeric sand calcareous local companies (forestry, Rue A. Lavallée 1, 1080 Brussels, grasslands (6120*), semi-natural dry environmental management, Belgium grasslands on calcareous substrates agricultural). Moreover, the restored (6210*) and species-rich Nardus habitats will subsequently be leased grasslands (6230*). The restoration of to local farmers who will ensure these habitats involves land purchase, ecological management of the sites.
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 27 ARTICLE
Authors: Kirsty Shaw, Godfrey Ruyonga and Mark Nicholson
ENHANCING TREE CONSERVATION AND FOREST RESTORATION IN EAST AFRICA
BGCI is helping botanic gardens in Kenya and Uganda to act as demonstration, training and material supply hubs for forest restoration.
Restored indigenous forest at Brackenhurst Botanic Garden, 2013. (Barney Wilczak)
Introduction Biodiversity Targets 3, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Eucalyptus plantation on the site of Brackenhurst frica experienced a net loss of 3.4 (UNCCD) and the United Nations Botanic Garden before restoration commenced, million hectares of forest annually Framework Convention on Climate c. 2000. (Barney Wilczak) Afor the period 2000-2010. Despite Change (UNFCCC), as well as national a steep rise in the number of forest policies and targets, are beginning to In 2011, BGCI undertook a survey of management plans in place across drive action. However capacity for indigenous and endangered trees held in Africa within that timeframe, and a small restoration across the continent is low. botanic garden collections in East Africa, increase in the area of protected forest which found that these institutions hold (FAO, 2010), a high reliance on wood as Lack of planting material of an important source of planting material a fuel source, continued forest indigenous species (BGCI, 2011). Though botanic garden conversion to agriculture and collections are not exhaustive, in many development and selective extraction of Availability of appropriate planting countries they represent the best valuable medicinal and timber species, material is also a current bottleneck. available source of planting material for continue to put pressure on Africa’s Tree seed centres across Africa, often the restoration of individual threatened forests and forest resources. associated with national forestry tree species and wider forest restoration research institutes, have traditionally projects. Recent forest restoration commitments focused on commercial timbers, many of from African countries, including the which are exotic. These centres do not Recognising this, and that botanic AFR100 1 and Bonn Challenge 2 pledges, hold the material required for large scale gardens also have good knowledge on as well commitments to the Aichi indigenous forest restoration. how to propagate native species,
1 AFR100 (African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative): A pan-African, country-led effort to restore 100 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes by 2030. 28 BGjournal • 28-31 2 The Bonn Challenge is a global aspiration to restore 150 million hectares of the world’s deforested and degraded lands by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030. 3 The Aichi Biodiversity Targets provide the framework for the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. BGCI launched a programme to support African botanic gardens to scale up their contribution to tree conservation and forest restoration. Enhancing Tree Conservation and Forest Restoration in Africa initially supported the activities of two botanic gardens: Tooro Botanical Garden in Uganda and Brackenhurst Botanic Garden in Kenya, both members of the Ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens (ERA). Since 2012, the programme has expanded and we now have active collaborations with botanic gardens in six countries.
Enhancing tree conservation and forest restoration in Uganda
Tooro Botanical Garden (TBG) is situated plantations, which were subsequently in Fort Portal in Western Uganda on a felled for timber. The degraded reserves Central Forest Reserve owned by the were then left largely bare, with some National Forestry Authority (NFA) and encroachment for farming. leased to TBG. In 2012, BGCI provided support to TBG to enable the garden to The restoration sites were demarcated expand their tree conservation and forest according to maps of the original forest restoration activities. TBG has brought reserves and remaining eucalyptus three new sites under forest restoration: stumps were removed. Seeds and one is an extension of the TBG site within wildings were collected from remaining the Central Forest Reserve, and the other forest fragments closest to the forest Top: Three year old indigenous forest restoration two are Local Forest Reserves managed reserves, the main source being Kibale plot within Tooro Botanical Garden, 2016. (BGCI) by the District Government, situated just National Park located approximately Above: Plot cleared for forest restoration within outside Fort Portal. All sites have a 30 km to the east. Seeds were Tooro Botanical Garden, 2013. (BGCI) similar history; they were initially propagated and wildings raised in the designated as reserves for forest TBG nursery. Propagation methods and off the replanted reserves, and conservation, but changes in results were recorded. When seedlings indigenous species are now surviving management regimes led to forests had reached around 30 cm in height, they well in local homesteads. being felled and replaced with eucalyptus were planted out at the start of the rainy season, to maximise survival rates. Four years into the project, many trees Across the 3 sites, 16 hectares have been have reached heights and crown widths brought under restoration. of >2 m so intercropping with vegetables is becoming less viable as harvesting Community engagement can damage the tree roots. Alternative options that provide benefit to When initial plantings took place, communities but do not involve cutting neighbouring communities allowed their down planted trees are being proposed, goats to graze on recently planted sites, including bee hives and planting shade- which resulted in high seedling mortality. tolerant medicinal or edible plants A plan was developed with the beneath the canopy. The next steps will communities allowing them to intercrop be led by communities. Information the seedlings with leguminous about the ecosystem services provided vegetables. Goats were kept out to by restoration is being developed in local protect both vegetables and trees, and languages and consultation will remain a community members became key part of this project to ensure its custodians of the restoration plots. long-term success.
A large number of seedlings were also Species focus stolen from initial plantings. Popular species were identified by TBG (mostly The restoration plots include a wide mix Many of the indigenous tree species propagated in medicinal and timber species) and of indigenous species, the highest being the nursery at Tooro Botanical Garden have seedlings of these species were 68 species on the site within TBG. medicinal properties, including the African Tulip provided free of charge to the Some rare and highly utilised species Tree, Spathodea campanulata . (BGCI) communities. This took pressure have been incorporated into the plots,
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 29 including Prunus africana and Warburgia ugandensis . All species were also planted in the TBG arboretum and since 2012 the number of tree species in the arboretum has increased from 19 to 126.
Survival rates and growth rates (height, crown width and root collar diameter) are recorded for a sample of each species in all restoration sites after each rainy season. This has enabled identification of top performing indigenous species, as well as management requirements for different species. For example, hardwoods such as Entandrophragma utile were trialled in initial plantings but low survival rates demonstrated that these species require partial shade. In the fourth year of the project these The indigenous tree nursery at Tooro Botanical Garden. (BGCI) species have been planted under the newly formed canopy and initial survival to enable them to act as a seed supplier (Basella alba ) and other indigenous rates are encouraging. in future, supporting the restoration of vegetables from the restored forest. forest reserves and other degraded forest Since 2012, with BGCI support, Scaling up across Uganda areas across Uganda. Brackenhurst has brought an additional 6 hectares under forest restoration, and The 6.5 hectares of restored plot within Enhancing tree conservation more than 15 additional rare species TBG provides demonstration of the and forest restoration in Kenya have been collected and incorporated techniques and benefits of forest into restoration plots. A monitoring restoration. Top performing indigenous Brackenhurst Botanic Garden is situated programme has been initiated to record species are being promoted to customers in Tigoni, 25 km from Nairobi in the the results of restoration work. at the TBG nursery. Propagation protocols Kenyan highlands. The garden was have been developed for 8 indigenous established in 2000 and is bringing Species focus species, and information on planting and 40 hectares of former exotic tree care requirements is disseminated to plantations under indigenous forest Since 2012, growth and survival rates customers and NGOs. TBG is now restoration. The restored forest includes have been recorded on a sample of recognised by the National Forestry nearly 1,500 species of East African 5,000 trees across the Brackenhurst site. Authority as Uganda’s leading supplier plants. The number of birds visiting the This has enabled identification of 14 top of indigenous tree seedlings. In addition, site has quadrupled since restoration performing species that are now being TBG has planted stands of indigenous began. Colobus monkeys are resident promoted to other restoration trees of known provenance around the in the forest after being absent for sixty practitioners in Kenya, including Croton garden. Funds are being sought to years, and people from neighbouring macrostachys, C. megalocarpus, establish a restoration seed bank at TBG communities harvest soap spinach Rauvolffia caffra and Vitex keniensis (Shaw, et al ., 2015). Propagation protocols have been developed for these and 41 other indigenous species. Protocols are currently being tested in the nursery and will be published by the end of the year.
The older forest plots at Brackenhurst provide a site for carrying out restoration trials for rare forest species. For example, in 2013 seed from Embelia keniensis , a woody climber currently estimated to have only 5 mature individuals remaining in the wild, was collected and propagated. 50 individuals have now been planted in the Brackenhurst forest. Seed will be collected from these individuals and a supply of material propagated to restore the population Indigenous trees are grown from seed and wildlings in the Tooro Botanical Garden nursery. (BGCI) in the original collecting site.
30 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) In the past year, additional threatened endemic trees were collected during seed Since 2012 collecting trips to Kasigau and Taita Hills Number of threatened tree species planted in restoration sites >30 including; Syzygium micklethwaitii subsp. Number of trees planted in restoration sites 85,000 micklethwaitii (Vulnerable); Polyscias Number of trees provided to local communities free of charge 46,000 stuhlmannii (Endangered); Psychotria Number of trees sold to farmers, NGOs, government or private 118,000 taitensis (Vulnerable), Memecylon teitense Area under forest restoration (ha) 28 ha (Vulnerable), and Psychotria petitii Average survival rate of top performing species in restoration plots 96.5% (Vulnerable). Propagation and restoration Average canopy width of top performing species in restoration plots 3m trials will now be carried out for these Matched funding secured by BGCI for tree conservation and species. forest restoration across Africa c. £400,000
Scaling up across Kenya to provide support on species selection The forest restoration plots of differing and planting. All participants were ages at Brackenhurst provide a unique trained to adopt the same monitoring opportunity for demonstrating the approach so species performance can timescale and benefits of forest be monitored across Kenya. restoration. In March 2016, BGCI and ERA held a 5 day training course at Scaling up across Africa Brackenhurst for 25 participants from East African botanic gardens, NGOs and These two projects provide excellent government representatives carrying out sites for demonstrating the value of tree planting and forest restoration indigenous forest restoration and programmes. Training was provided involving botanic garden knowledge in Species identification session during the forest by BGCI, Brackenhurst, Multiplant ecological restoration. restoration training workshop held at Brackenhurst International Medicinal Conservation, the Botanic Garden, March 2016. (BGCI) Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan (an ERA Since 2012, BGCI has identified other member), and the Forest Restoration African botanic gardens actively References: Research Unit, Chiang Mai, Thailand. involved in forest restoration and raised Participants learnt how to plan forest c. £400,000 to work with botanic , BGCI. 2011. Botanic gardens, restoration effectively, carry out a rapid site gardens in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania endangered trees and reforestation in assessment before restoration, propagate and Malawi to build capacity for tree Africa . Botanic Gardens Conservation indigenous trees from seeds and cuttings conservation, support survey and International. Richmond, UK. Available and best practice for tree planting. collecting trips for threatened tree online at: http://www.bgci.org/ species and carry out restoration. files/Africa/pdfs/african-trees.pdf The course also fostered partnerships: the training at Brackenhurst led to BGCI is promoting the role of African , FAO. 2010. Global Forest Resources seedlings and advice being provided to a botanic gardens in forest restoration Assessment 2010. Food and forest restoration project in the foothills of and continues to provide training, Agricultural Organization of the United Mount Kenya run by the Mount Kenya support and raise funds to enable more Nations. Rome. Trust, and funding applications have been botanic gardens across Africa to act as developed with other participant demonstration, training and material , Shaw, K., Nicholson, N., and Hardwick, organisations to enable botanic gardens supply hubs for forest restoration. K. 2015. Encouraging and enabling a science-based approach to ecological restoration: An introduction to the work of the Ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens (ERA). Sibbaldia: The Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture 13 : 145-151.
Kirsty Shaw Botanic Gardens Conservation International, UK;
Godfrey Ruyonga Tooro Botanical Garden, Fort Portal, Uganda;
Mark Nicholson Brackenhurst Botanic Garden, Participants of the ERA forest restoration training course held at Brackenhurst Botanic Garden, March 2016. Tigoni, Kenya.
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 31 ARTICLE
Authors: Gunter A. Fischer & Jinlong Zhang
RESTORING HONG KONG’S MONTANE FOREST CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES FROM KADOORIE FARM AND BOTANIC GARDEN
Core area of the restoration site showing the 20 x 20 m planting grid.
Introduction Ecosystem and species Feng shui woods, some of them more composition around Hong Kong than 400 years old, contain only parts of ith 7.2 million residents in 1,104 the original forest species composition, km 2, Hong Kong is one the Hong Kong’s primary forests were mostly made out of tropical and a few Wmost crowded places on Earth. destroyed centuries ago and have not subtropical plant families such as Despite decades of urbanisation, 48% of recovered since, due to continued Sapindaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Hong Kong’s territory has been disturbance by humans, mainly by fire. Myrtaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Lauraceae, designated as country parks to protect All megafauna to the size of large rodents Verbenaceae, Myrsinaceae, Fabaceae, the environment and to provide an such as flying squirrels have disappeared Annonaceae, Arecaceae and escape from urban life for city dwellers. together with the forest (Dudgeon & Corlett, Rubiaceae. Local people have used the Geographically the city lies at the 2011). The number of extinct species is feng shui woods as forest gardens for eastern coast of the Pearl River delta in hard to assess since their disappearance centuries, altering the original forest Guangdong Province, South China. Its pre-dates specimen collections, but it has structure and species composition by monsoon-influenced seasonal climate is probably been in the hundreds. Only small removing unwanted plants, felling trees marginal tropical to subtropical, with an patches of forest, most of them less than 5 for wood and artificially enriching the annual mean temperature of 23 oC. The hectares in size, have been preserved by forest with edible and medicinal plants wet season lasts from April to October, villagers for cultural reasons. These so (Dudgeon & Corlett, 2011). Despite with an annual mean precipitation of called “ feng shui ” woods”, survived the being modified over centuries these 2,400 mm, although some of the highest destruction and remained, together with forests harbour an incredible diversity of mountain peaks can receive up to 3,300 isolated shrubs and trees in rocky ravines, plants, often hundreds of species per mm rainfall each year (Hong Kong the only seed source of the local flora hectare resulting altogether in a Observatory, 2016). (Abbas et al ., 2016). remarkable flora of 2,175 native Hong
32 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 32-34 Kong plant species, of which more than Natural re-establishment and 400 are woody species (Chu & Xing, early reforestation efforts 1997; AFCD, 2012). The feng shui woods constitute very nice examples of Generally the natural re-establishment of traditional agroforestry systems once forest is a very slow process and follows common throughout South China. the successional model, whereby grassland is replaced by shrubland and Only a few patches of high quality feng shrubland finally by forest. This process shui woods remain, mostly restricted to can take between 20 to hundreds of lowland areas, near villages, whereas years in Hong Kong and certain exposed most of Hong Kong’s natural landscapes places with badly eroded soil seem are now covered by secondary incapable of recovery (Zhuang & Corlett, grasslands and forests of different 1997). Therefore from some 150 years Above: Tree guard protecting Quercus edithiae successional stages mostly established ago when Hong Kong became a British (Fagaceae) a rare climax tree in South China. after World War II. Grasslands are colony, early attempts were made to Below: Liberation thinning and arboricultural pruning species poor and dominated by reforest the “barren rock” Hong Kong of lower branches will help the tree Lithocarpus Imperata cylindrica, Ischaemum (Corlett, 1999). corneus (Fagaceae) to reach it’s maximum height and aristatum var. glaucum, Neyraudia prevents slow growing species being outperformed reynaudiana, Miscanthus floridulus and Originally only exotic trees were planted, by fast growing species. pioneer shrubs such as Rhodomyrtus whereas in the last decades more native tomentosa and Baeckea frutescens . species were added to the planted premises called: “ Ecological restoration species mix. Results were of the original montane forest of Hong The species composition of young forests heterogeneous, with some hardy exotic Kong ”. The experience gained can, and is also relatively species poor, usually species such as Acacia ssp. or hopefully will, be used for projects dominated by early successional species Eucalyptus ssp. growing better than elsewhere in the South China Region. such as Machilus chekiangensis, Mallotus native species. paniculatus, Syzygium hancei, Gordonia We started with surveying remote ravines axillaris, Itea chinensis, Castanopsis fissa Botanic garden-led restoration in Hong Kong to assess the candidate and Acronychia pendunculata . species for restoration but also Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden comparisons were made with more Recent studies have shown that the (KFBG) started to experiment with mature forests in other parts of South oldest patches of secondary forest, which afforestation 60 years ago, when a barren China. Forest monitoring plots were are around 70 years old, can harbour 174 hillside was selected as the garden’s established to better understand natural species in 20 hectares , still consisting of location along a stream, which never patterns of succession, including a 20 mainly early and mid-successional dried out in the seasonal climate. In the hectare forest dynamics plot in species. There is no evidence that climax early days mainly agriculture and collaboration with HKU in Hong Kong’s trees, which are still found scattered in orchards were established and along the only nature reserve. Unfortunately, we feng shui woods, are able to recolonize stream, trees were planted and the forest were not able to identify any remaining the secondary forest (KFBG unpubl. data). was allowed to recover. When primary or mature template forest with Probably the lack of suitable dispersal conservation became one of the focus similar species composition and climatic agents and unfavourable microclimatic areas of KFBG in the 1990’s an ecological conditions to our restoration site, but we conditions limit the number of species restoration program was established by could estimate by comparison with similar able to recruit in secondary vegetation setting up a native tree nursery as a key vegetation types in the region that the (Weir & Corlett, 2006). facility. In collaboration with Hong Kong original plant community would have had University (HKU) experiments were at least 150 woody species per hectare. conducted to understand factors that limit the establishment and survival of Monitoring and research native trees in grass- and shrublands. Much knowledge was gained about In order to be able to monitor the project dispersal, recruitment, survival and from the first planted tree throughout the growth rates of planted and naturally evolution of the forest, a 20 x 20 m grid established tree species. Planting trials was established over the total project with native trees were successful and area of 10 hectares. Every planted tree results have been published over the last and also every existing shrub and tree two decades (see publications by Richard was identified and tagged with a unique Corlett and Billy Hau). number. Not all plots were planted as some act as monitoring plots for natural Building on the experience gained and succession. Two automatic weather the fact that it seemed impossible that stations permanently monitor the the forest would recover naturally, in climatic conditions remotely, allowing us 2013 we started an ambitious restoration to link growth and survival rates to project on the upper slopes of KFBG’s climatic patterns.
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) 33 In order to test the effect of treatments hypotheses on community assembly, we planted 20 different species in a species coexistence, habitat preferences mixture of pioneer and climax trees and and environmental filtering in a shrubs in plots replicated at a high phylogenetic, functional and ecological frequency over the restoration site. framework. To avoid low diversity plantings, it is important to thin the trees once the initial These experiments are still on-going and treatment questions have been we plan to publish a series of scientific answered. This is normally done after articles in the coming years to share the 3-4 years. The thinned trees are used for knowledge gained and guide restoration mulching and as erosion barriers along projects elsewhere. the contour lines. The gaps are filled up with additional species of trees and References: shrubs to increase the overall species diversity. Before planting, the height and , Abbas, S., Nichol, J.E., Fischer, G.A. basal diameter of all trees are measured 2016. A 70-year perspective on and a census of each plot is conducted tropical forest regeneration. Sci Total after the first 2 years and after that every Environ 544 :544–552. doi: 5 years. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.171
All the 20 x 20 m grid cells are , AFCD. 2012. Check List of Hong Kong A spacing of less than 1 m between the planted trees, alternately planted, always leaving one Plants . was not sufficient to prevent a multi-trunked stem in cell empty. Once the trees in the Syzygium hancei (Myrtaceae) in a 15 years old neighbouring plots have grown up to a , Corlett, R.T. 1999. Environmental restoration plot. least 4-5 meters in height, the climatic forestry in Hong Kong : 1871 - 1997. conditions inside the empty plots are For Ecol Manage 116 :93–105. One of the key questions we are asking more favourable for rare and shade is whether it is possible to shortcut tolerant species. First results are very , Chu, W. H. and F. W. Xing. 1997. natural succession and avoid the shrub promising and we have already A checklist of vascular plants found and early tree stages of succession by established more than a hundred in fung shui woods in Hong Kong . planting climax trees at the beginning of different woody species in the core area Memoirs of the Hong Kong Natural the ecological restoration process. To of the restoration site. History Society address this we established a series of experiments to overcome factors that Lessons learnt and looking , Dudgeon, D. and Corlett, R. 2011. reduce survival and growth rates of ahead The Ecology and Biodiversity of Hong climax trees in an open grassland Kong (revised ed.). Hong Kong: environment, such as strong wind, wind The experiments and strict monitoring Cosmos Books & Lions Nature desiccation, strong sunshine, herbivory, regime in place allows us to gather a Education Foundation competition by grasses for nutrients and large amount of information across a water, soil erosion etc. relatively small area and make , Hong Kong Observatory (retrieved recommendations for future projects. For 2016). Monthly Means of the The experiments included the use of example, we have learnt that good Meteorological Elements at Hong different types of tree guards, different arboriculture is needed early on to make Kong International Airport January types of weeding mats, different types of sure that rare climax trees grow straight, 1998 - December 2014. Hong Kong fertilizers, soil amendments with compost don’t branch too early and are free of Observatory Website. and biochar and different weeding competition so they are not outperformed regimes. It was clear from the beginning in the stem exclusion phase of , Weir, J.E.S. and Corlett, R.T. 2006. that many of the questions which needed succession by overly vigorous pioneer How far do birds disperse seeds in addressing were applied and mostly trees. We tested whether very close the degraded tropical landscape of related to good horticulture rather than planting can overcome these problems Hong Kong, China? Landsc Ecol ecology. Early on we made the but unfortunately without success. 22 :131–140. observation that protecting the trees with tree guards was very beneficial and Although little is still known about how , Zhuang, X. and Corlett, R.T. 1997. allowed us to plant smaller seedlings, plant species coexist and interact with Forest and forest successin in Hong thus reducing the risk of curled roots and each other in this particular ecosystem, Kong, China. J Trop Ecol 14 :857–866. reducing the nursery time and amount of our restoration experiments allow us to soil in the root ball. Tree guards also compare natural succession initiated by Gunter A. Fischer & Jinlong Zhang significantly helped to overcome many a limited species pool caused by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden of the limiting climatic factors mentioned massive deforestation in the past with Flora Conservation Department above and survival rates were drastically succession initiated by an artificially Lam Kam Road increased compared to zero controls increased species pool. This provides us Tai Po, N.T. without tree guards. with a unique opportunity to test Hong Kong SAR.
34 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) ARTICLE
Author: Sara Oldfield
NATIVE SEEDS FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
The US National Seed Strategy for Restoration and Rehabilitation aims to have the right seed in the right place at the right time.
Sandberg bluegrass - Poa secunda being collected in Wyoming. (BLM WY932A, Seeds of Success)
Using native species for Restoration and Rehabilitation was launched in the US in August 2015. In the US, restoring degraded plant This over-arching Strategy was communities using native plants of developed by 12 federal agencies and appropriate provenance is a requirement over 300 non-federal co-operators of the of national policies relating to climate Plant Conservation Alliance including change, land management for pollinators commercial seed producers, plant and the restoration of fire-damaged nurseries and botanic gardens. The sagebrush communities. Increasingly National Seed Strategy responds to a the need to build ecological resilience in national shortage of native seed in the response to extreme weather events is US, recognising the challenges of being recognised at the policy level obtaining and delivering adequate together with the need for emergency quantities of seed to meet restoration preparedness. Native seed is essential to needs which are often difficult to predict. meet the national policies and plans for cological restoration is a global building ecological resilience. The right The National Seed Strategy has been imperative and botanic gardens seed, often of common so-called designed to build on existing initiatives Ehave essential roles to play in "workhorse species" needs to be including the Seeds of Success (SOS) supporting global restoration targets. available in sufficient quantity for use programme led by the Bureau of Land Important activities include the at the right time and in the right place. Management (BLM). The BLM is the collection, storage and propagation of largest federal land manager in the US, appropriate plant materials. Botanic The National Seed Strategy and purchases an average of 1.4 million gardens are uniquely placed to manage kg of seed each year for restoration. and supply the diversity of plants that In response to the need for appropriate Since 2001, SOS has made more than are required at a local to global scale for native seed for landscape level 16,000 native seed collections ecological restoration action. restoration, the National Seed Strategy representing over 5,000 taxa.
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 35-36 35 This work involves monitoring long-term with the New England Wildflower Society study plots in Utah and Colorado to responsible for collecting in Maine, New identify and help develop appropriate Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, native plant material for restoration and and Connecticut. In 2015, 254 collections to quantify how species and seed- were made in these States representing source selection impacts ecosystem 91 species. North Carolina Botanic function in restored habitats (see page Garden is responsible for seed collecting 16 for more information about the in Maryland, and Virginia and made 234 restoration work of CBG). collections in 2015 representing 91 species. The botanic gardens are also Other leading botanic gardens are running training programmes to involved as key partners in collecting seed demonstrate techniques and explain for restoration. Both the North Carolina the need for collecting genetically Botanic Garden and New England diverse seed. Wildflower Society are for example, currently engaged in the SOS East project Across the US, botanic gardens which is responding to the impact of Hurricane Sandy. In October 2012, can engage with the National Basindaisy - Platyschkuhria integrifolia Hurricane Sandy had devastating impacts Seed Strategy working with the (BLM WY932A, Seeds of Success) along the East Coast of the US, resulting in more than 120 deaths and major Plant Conservation Alliance and The emphasis is on collecting orthodox disaster declarations for 12 states and the by engaging directly with federal seed for restoration needs particularly of District of Columbia. As part of the species most threatened by climate recovery effort, $360 million is being used agencies. change and species representative of key to restore national parks and national ecological communities. Material from wildlife refuges along the coast. The Fish SOS collections is seed banked and also & Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with Promoting the importance of native made available for research and for plant partners on 31 projects designed to plants and developing propagation development by commercial seed increase resilience by restoring coastal protocols are two very important producers. The goal of SOS is to bank marshes, beaches and dunes, improve activities linked to the Strategy, reflecting seed of 14,000 native taxa, approximately connectivity in streams and rivers and key roles already undertaken by botanic 75 percent of the US flora. For more fostering collaborative science. It has gardens. The Strategy links effectively widespread species, genetic variability been estimated that 1 million dune with the newly published North American will be represented within collections. stabilizing native plants are needed for Botanic Garden Strategy for Plant coastal ecosystem recovery but initially no Conservation which calls for botanic Implementation of the National Seed local plants were available. Seed is now gardens to increase the availability of Strategy will scale up seed collection, being collected to grow appropriate plants propagated and appropriately seed production and ecological provenanced plants and propagules to restoration through a coordinated recover or restore natural ecosystems in approach. The first major step is a North America . It is increasingly comprehensive needs and capacity important for the botanic garden assessment followed by increased community to continue conserving rare research and management tools to and threatened plants and at the same enhance production. Communication is time help to ensure native plant diversity considered one of the four inter-linked as a whole is conserved with materials goals with the aim of ensuring active available for restoration. With the participation of a diverse set of public unfolding impact of climate change, we and private partners. cannot afford to ignore the more common elements of plant diversity that The role of botanic gardens underpin ecological stability and enable the scarcer plants to flourish. Botanic gardens were actively involved in the development of the National Seed For a copy of the Seed Strategy go to: Strategy and are now participating in its www.blm.gov/seedstrategy delivery. The Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG), for example, manages If you want to help implement the coordination of the SOS programme and National Seed Strategy, email: runs a highly successful internship [email protected] programme training young botanists in seed collection. CBG also conducts For information on the National Native research to support native plant Arrowleaf balsamroot - Balsamorhiza sagittata in Seed Conference 2017 go to: materials development and restoration. Wyoming (BLM WY, Seeds of Success) http://nativeseed.info/
36 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) ARTICLE
RESOURCES
Pilbara Seed Atlas and Field Guide: Plant Restoration in Australia’s Arid Northwest
Erickson, T., Barrett, R., Merritt, D. and Dixon, K. 2016. ISBN: 9781486305520
This book provides photos and information to support identification and guidelines for seed collection, cleaning, storage and germination of 103 plant taxa from the Pilbara region in Australia’s arid northwest, an area rich in flora. The authors, from Kings Park and Botanic Garden and the University of Western Australia, are involved in large scale Participants at the ERA second public symposium (Hideyuki Narita) ecological restoration in the area, following mining activities (find out more Restoring degraded about this work on page 20). This book ecosystems: Regional and is a useful resource for practitioners international perspectives: working in the region, and provides a Presentations from the public good model of a resource that could be symposium of the Ecological replicated to support ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic restoration in other areas. The book is Gardens, Amman, Jordan, 30th available as a paperback and e-book: March 2015 http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/7527.htm The ERA held its second public symposium in Amman, Jordan in Spring of 2015, in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens Jordan. All presentations from this symposium were recorded and can be viewed online here: http://royalbotanicgarden.org/http://royal botanicgarden.org/
UK Germination Toolbox
This online database developed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew provides seed germination conditions for UK native species. It is intended to support trait data. The toolkit can be accessed practitioners propagating UK native online: http://www.kew.org/science- species from seed and is also a useful conservation/research-data/resources/uk resource for researchers seeking seed -germination-toolbox
BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 37-38 37 Restoring Tropical Forests: Genetic considerations in BGCI resources to support A practical guide ecosystem restoration using restoration: native tree species. State of the
21/11/2014 12:31 Page 2 Elliot, S., Blakesley, D. and Hardwick, K. World’s Forest Genetic 07/07/2016 15:43 Page 2 Integrated conservation of DRY WOODLANDS IN 2013. Resources - Thematic study tree species by botanic gardens: PAKISTAN’S PUNJAB PROVINCE a reference manual PILOTING RESTORATION OF UNIQUE ISBN 9781842464427 YET VANISHING NATURAL ASSETS Joachim Gratzfeld and Amin Ulhaq Khan Bozzano, M., Jalonen, R., Thomas, E., This user-friendly Boshier, D., Gallo, L., Cavers, S., and globally Bordács, S., Smith, P. & Loo, J., eds. relevant practical 2014. FAO and Bioversity International, guide to restoring Rome. 2014 forests throughout ISBN 978-92-5-108469-4 (print) E-ISBN the tropics draws 978-92-5-108470-0 (PDF) information from research There is renewed • Integrated conservation of tree undertaken at interest in the use species by botanic gardens: Chiang Mai of native tree A reference manual University’s Forest Restoration Research species in Available in English and Spanish Unit (FORRU). The book covers the ecosystem (www.bgci.org/resources/2069/) general concepts of tropical forest restoration for their dynamics and regeneration that are biodiversity • Dry Woodlands in Pakistan’s Punjab relevant to the practice of tropical forest benefits. Province Piloting Restoration of restoration, proven restoration Consideration of Unique Yet Vanishing Natural Assets techniques and case studies of their genetic aspects is (www.bgci.org/where-we- successful application, and research often neglected, such as suitability of work/pakistan/) methods to adapt these techniques to germplasm to the site, quality and local ecological and socio-economic quantity of the genetic pool used and • Look out for our Species Recovery situations. Available to purchase in regeneration potential. This study Handbook! To be published by BGCI English, French and Spanish as provides fundamental information for the in early 2017. paperback from Kew Books: achievement of knowledge-based http://shop.kew.org/restoring-tropical- ecosystem restoration using native tree forests-a-practical-guide Or full pdf species. The study includes a review and Ecological Restoration photo available to download here: synthesis of experience and results; an library https://www.dropbox.com/sh/21pm92tr3 analysis of successes and failures in ctyh80/e8T7_TNTcN various systems; and definitions of best Conservation photographer, Barney practice, including genetic aspects. A Wilczak, has been documenting the copy of the report can be downloaded work of the Ecological Restoration at: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3938e.pd Alliance of Botanic Gardens (ERA). He has developed a portfolio of photographs which can be made available to BGCI members on request Journal articles from the Shaw, K., et al . 2015. Encouraging and for use in fundraising and promotion of Ecological Restoration Alliance Enabling a Science-Based Approach to ecological restoration. See a selection of of Botanic Gardens Ecological Restoration: an Introduction Barney’s ERA photos on pages 12-13 and to the Work of the Ecological Restoration more of Barney’s photos can be viewed Hardwick, K., et al . 2011. The Role of Alliance of Botanic Gardens (ERA). on his website: http://wilczakphotography. Botanic Gardens in the Science and Sibbaldia . 13 : 145 - 152 photoshelter.com/ Practice of Ecological Restoration. Conservation Biology 25 (2): 265 - 275 Abu Taleb, T., Aronson, J., Shaw, K. and on Behalf of the Ecological Restoration Aronson, J. and on Behalf of the Alliance of Botanic Gardens. (2016). Ecological Restoration Alliance of Rays of Hope from the Ecological Botanic Gardens. 2014. The Ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens, Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens: following its recent meeting in Amman, A New Initiative Takes Root. Restoration Jordan. Restoration Ecology . Preview Ecology. 22 (6): 713 - 715 available online: http://onlinelibrary.wiley. com/doi/10.1111/rec.12380/abstract
38 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) JOIN THE WORLD’S LARGEST PLANT CONSERVATION NETWORK
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BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 39 39 MARSH AWARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL PLANT CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION IN BOTANIC GARDENS
BGCI is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the Marsh Awards for International Plant Conservation and Botanic Garden Education sponsored by the Marsh Christian Trust.
he Marsh Christian Trust was established in 1981 and runs a Nursery with seedlings for reforestation of the Atlantic Forest, in Rosario do Limeira, Brazil Tportfolio of awards which (Alf Ribeiro / Shutterstock.com). recognise the contribution of dedicated individuals working in different sectors – How to make a nomination to improve the world we live in.
Marsh Award for International If you know of somebody who Plant Conservation you think merits one of the awards above, please nominate that person We aim to give the Marsh Award for using the forms available International Plant Conservation to an on the BGCI website: early/mid- career individual who has www.bgci.org/news-and- made an outstanding contribution to the events/news/1346/ implementation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) of the The deadline for nominations is Convention on Biological Diversity 2nd September, 2016. (CBD). The prize for this Award in 2016 Nominations should be sent to Bian Tan is £1,000. [email protected]
Marsh Award for Education in Note that self-nominations are not eligible. Botanic Gardens
We aim to give the Marsh Award for How will the award be judged? Education in Botanic Gardens to an early/mid-career individual who has Nominations will be judged by a panel made an outstanding contribution to comprising two BGCI Board members; promoting public awareness of the and one representative from each of five importance of plants and/or undertaking external organisations, including the impactful education activities within Marsh Christian Trust. A shortlist of three a botanic garden. The prize for this will be sent to Brian Marsh and the Trust Bian Tan Award in 2016 is £1,000. for the final selection.
40 BGCI • 2016 • BGjournal • Vol 13 (2) • 40 Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3BW, U.K. Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5953 Fax: +44 (0)20 8332 5956 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.bgci.org
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