Why these species? Ninety-nine percent of primary Araucaria forest habitat in southern Brazil has been lost due to logging and farming. As a result, 72 of its 352 native tree species are threatened or are extremely rare. These include iconic candelabra trees (Araucaria angustifolia), high-value timber species such as the imbuia (Ocotea porosa) and rare palm trees (Butia eriospatha), much loved by gardeners as beautiful ornamental plants. In the…
Which species and why? Garcinia portoricensis is known from less than 10 locations in Puerto Rico Island and Ravenia urbanii is currently known from less than five locations, including El Yunque National Forest, and areas near Carite State Forest. These sites were badly impacted by hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017 and suffered significant tree cover loss. It is thought that some of the populations may have disappeared. Detail of Ravenia…
The Global Trees Campaign works with the conservation of threatened trees, but what does it mean to be threatened, rare, at risk, endangered or vulnerable? How are the terms used? Why is it important to distinguish between them? This technical blog will shed light on some of the confusion around these terms, and may be helpful if you are prioritising species for a conservation project, writing a grant proposal, communicating the needs of…
Last summer, five UK dendrologists embarked on a three-week expedition to the Pacific north-west coast of the USA, travelling 4000 miles, securing seed for tree species’ futures. Representatives from GTC partners the Forestry Commission’s Bedgebury National Pinetum and Oxford University Botanic Gardens Harcourt Arboretum, along with the Forestry Commission’s Westonbirt National Arboretum, visited three states (Washington State, Oregon and…
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 around me, Gu Yu – project officer for Fauna & Flora International (FFI) in…
Why this species? Rosewoods are the world’s most trafficked wildlife product, with a trade value higher than elephant ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts combined. Honduran rosewood, Dalbergia stevensonii, grows up to 30m tall and produces a highly-prized, incredibly dense timber, which has resulted in intense exploitation of the species. They are found in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico, however the largest remaining populations of Honduran…
Why this species? Large areas of habitat for southern Chile’s native trees, such as the monkey puzzle, have been lost to and fragmented by grazing and pine tree plantations. Monkey puzzles have disappeared from this landscape at a particularly high rate; their tall, straight trunks were once heavily targeted by the timber trade, although logging of the species has been banned since 1990. The species is now classified as Endangered in the…
Why this species? The marlberry tree Ardisia ometepensis is an endemic tree found only in cloud forest on the slopes of Maderas Volcano, Ometepe island, Nicaragua. Ometepe is one of the world’s largest freshwater islands and is comprised of two volcanoes joined by a wetland isthmus. Ometepe has a dramatic range of climatic conditions and range of habitat types, and is recognised as a national biodiversity priority. Ardisia omepetensis herbarium…
Around half of the world’s forests have been lost or are degraded , resulting in loss of biodiversity and essential ecosystem services such as water regulation and food production. Ecosystem restoration can help to restore these vital elements, but it is important that we look at the how, not just the why, when we talk about restoration. With 2021 representing the beginning of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, all eyes are focused…
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 reserve in China (Yuanbaoshan NNR), received a boost late in…
Why this species? Rising from the Caribbean Sea, Saint Lucia’s volcanic rock forms three iconic peaks rich in tropical forest. One of these peaks, Petit Piton (Saint Lucia’s smallest mountain), is home to the last remaining population in the world of the Critically Endangered Juniperus barbadensis var. barbadensis. Known locally as the pencil cedar, it is in fact a type of juniper (famously used in gin). Once common in Saint Lucia, intensive…
Pandanus thomensis is a Vulnerable screwpine species. It can reach 15 metres in height and is only found on São Tomé Island (Gulf of Guinea, central Africa). Its natural distribution is restricted to the coast of southern São Tomé, where the average annual rainfall is over 2000 mm. It can be relatively abundant within this region, with its distinctive appearance making it a landmark. It is sometimes planted as an ornamental tree on the island,…