Until recently, Betula megrelica – a birch species endemic to the Caucasus – was only known to grow on two mountains in north-west Georgia. But the discovery of a new population this autumn by a team of Georgian and UK botanists has raised hopes for the future of this Endangered tree species. Betula megrelica trees are true…
The Global Trees Campaign is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, a yearly fundraising event that sees donations doubled by matched funds! The campaign will fund BGCI activities within the Global Trees Campaign. Donate on Friday 4th or Saturday 5th December 2015 as close to Midday (12pm) GMT as possible and your donation could…
Scientific trials reveal new planting techniques improve germination success and seedling health of a Critically Endangered species of Magnolia. Magnolia longipedunculata is a Critically Endangered species with only 11 trees left in the wild. The entire global population is found within one site in south-east China, the Nankunshan Nature Reserve in Guangdong. This tiny population…
Fauna & Flora International’s Dave Gill explains why a breakthrough by Guangxi Institute of Botany scientists could help save one of China’s most threatened tree species. In a ramshackle restaurant in Ziyuan town, Guangxi, three botanists wait patiently for me to finish my breakfast. Ignoring the noodles slipping between my chopsticks and splattering the table…
The Global Trees Campaign aims to avoid all tree extinctions in the wild. An important component of conservation action must be ex situ conservation: securing a species outside of its natural range, as a back-up measure in case remaining wild populations are lost. Our new report, released today, highlights that 74% of the most threatened…
Fauna & Flora International’s Senior Conservation Biologist Jenny Daltry reveals how a study of the lansan tree is helping to support livelihoods and species conservation in Saint Lucia. Following the edge of the Forest Reserve on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, Adams Toussaint pointed to a startling trail of destruction. One tree after another…
Africa’s Young Women Conservation Biologists Award 2015 won by Malagasy biologist and GTC partner, Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka. Fresh from the 27th International Congress on Conservation Biology, the Global Trees Campaign (GTC) is excited to celebrate the success of our partner, Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka. Julie was awarded the Young Women Conservation Biologists (YWCB) Award 2015 by…
Seeds of Vietnamese golden cypress plants have been successfully grown for the first time at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, providing hope for the dwindling population in the mountains of northern Vietnam. For the first time ever, plants of the Endangered Vietnamese golden cypress have been successfully grown from seeds, at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest,…
The July 2015 issue of Fauna & Flora International’s academic journal, Oryx, is dedicated to tree conservation. In this blog, Dave Gill and Rob Loveridge pay tribute to the scientists whose work is guiding the conservation of the ‘charismatic megaflora’. On close inspection, trees reveal all sorts of secrets. In 2015 alone, scientists have discovered…
The known population size of the Critically Endangered Yuanbaoshan fir more than doubled following expeditions in Yuanbaoshan National Nature Reserve (NNR). Project Manager, Xiaoya Li explains what this discovery means and how it will influence their conservation. The future of the Yuanbaoshan fir (Abies yuanbaoshanensis), a Critically Endangered tree species found in a single nature…
Trees. Until a couple of months ago, I thought trees played three main roles in the field of conservation biology. First, trees are components of animal habitat, and provide food and shelter for other creatures. Second, trees act as carbon sinks, unwitting and often underappreciated heroes in the fight against climate change. And third, a variety…
Fauna & Flora International’s David Gill describes his recent visit to the USA, and the opportunity for new global partnerships for threatened tree conservation. I arrived in the United States at a perfect time of year to see, celebrate and promote conservation of threatened trees. Spring had sprung and Washington D.C.’s cherry trees had decorated…