Menai Whitebeam Highlighted as part of BGCI’s ‘State of the World’s Trees’ report

The Menai whitebeam, a Critically Endangered tree species found only in North Wales, is among those listed in a landmark report State of the World’s Trees report, published today. As part of our Menai Whitebeam Project researchers at Bangor University alongside us here at FossilPlants and North Wales Wildlife Trust are working to protect this rare species.

Sorbus arvonicola

Sorbus arvonicola

State of the World’s Trees by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is one of the first assessments of the world’s threatened trees. It compiles work led by the Global Tree Assessment (GTA) and is the culmination of five years of research to identify major gaps in tree conservation efforts.

Examining the globe’s 60,000 tree species, it reveals that 30% (17,500) of tree species are currently at risk of extinction. That means there are twice the number of threatened tree species globally than threatened mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles combined.

Over 440 tree species are right on the brink of extinction, the report reveals, meaning they have fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild. The Menai whitebeam (Sorbus arvonensis) has only around 30 trees remaining along the coast of the Menai Straits.

The report finds hope for the future, however, as conservation efforts led by the botanical community worldwide are growing. Identifying which trees are at risk and ensuring these are protected is the most effective way to prevent extinction and restore endangered species. The report reveals that at least 64% of all tree species can be found in at least one protected area, and about 30% can be found in botanic gardens, seed banks, or other ex situ collections, but further action is needed.

In discussing the Menai Whitebeam and the #StateofTrees report Robbie said “I work to conserve endangered plant species from all over the world so when I found out that something so threatened was growing right here on my doorstep, I had to do something to make sure we didn’t lose it forever.’

‘We now work closely with both Bangor University to research the conservation of these trees and with North Wales Wildlife Trust to protect the trees in their wild state’

Chris Wynne (Senior Reserves Manager, NWWT) went on to say: “Nantporth Nature Reserve is just one of many woodlands that we manage across North Wales. The presence of the Menai Whitebeam makes it unique among our nature reserves and woodlands across the UK. It adds another dimension to this wonderful, atmospheric woodland, dripping with ferns, dotted with colourful flowers in Spring and the sound of birdsong. And all this a short distance from Bangor town centre on the Wales Coastal Path.”

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The Menai whitebeam is a member of one of the of the most diverse tree groups in Europe; the Sorbus trees, also known as Rowan and Whitebeams. Of the 170 species of Sorbus native to Europe over three-quarters are considered threatened. Many species of Sorbus have a small population size predisposing them to threatening events. These trees are often light-demanding and palatable to herbivores, therefore are often found in restricted habitats such as ungrazed rocky cliffs. The Menai whitebeam is no different and grows in just one small section of steep coast along the Menai Straits. Researchers from Bangor University are now mapping each of the individual trees so that we can better monitor the wild plants.

Professor Julia Jones, Professor of Conservation Science at Bangor University said:

“I was amazed to realize that such a highly threatened tree could be found in a nature reserve not far from our University. The Menai whitebeam raises interesting questions about what defines a species and has the potential to engage local people in local conservation. We are just starting to do some research on the tree and the threats it faces; one of our students is doing her dissertation on the threats it faces.”

Hannah Taylor a student studying environmental conservation at Bangor University said: “It’s great to realise that the work I am doing as part of my dissertation might have an impact on the conservation of a Critically Endangered tree.”

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You can read the full report: https://www.bgci.org/our-work/projects-and-case-studies/global-tree-assessment/

Further information:

Cause of extinction – climate change is a growing threat for the world’s trees.

The report from BGCI provides one of the most comprehensive analyses of the uses and threats facing different tree species. Climate change and extreme weather are shown by the report to be emerging threats to tree species globally. As the temperature and weather of the world changes, many trees risk losing areas of suitable habitat. This affects species in both temperate and tropical habitats, with Cloud Forest tree species of Central America being at particular risk.

At least 180 tree species are directly threatened by sea level rise and severe weather events. This threat is most severe to island and coastal species such as North Wales’ Menai Whitebeam.

One of the first major successes of the Global Tree Assessment, was the completion of assessments for all trees endemic to Europe. The European Red List of Trees was published In September 2019 and marked one of the first complete regional groups of trees on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

There are 454 tree species native to Europe of which 265 species are found only in Europe. For the region as a whole, 42% of species were assessed as threatened but looking only at the endemic species, 58% are threatened with extinction in the wild.

Thanks to the networks of European Gardens and Protected areas, 359 trees (79%) are currently known to occur in at least one protected area and 393 European tree species (87%) are found in ex situ collections in botanic gardens and arboreta worldwide.

For the Critically Endangered Menai whitebeam help is at hand and a partnership between the botanical garden community, North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT) and Bangor University is helping to understand and conserve this species.

On hearing of the plight of the Menai Whitebeam, botanist and conservationist, Robbie Blackhall-Miles (www.fossilplants.co.uk) collaborated with North Wales Wildlife Trust (https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/) to collect seeds of the species to ensure it was safe in cultivation in North Wales. The area of the Menai Straight where the trees grow is managed by NWWT who were happy to assist in the conservation mission. Seed was also sent to the National Botanic Garden of Wales (https://botanicgarden.wales/) as a back up to those in North Wales and so that plants of the Menai Whitebeam could be featured in their Welsh plants displays.

More recently Bangor University MSc researcher Hannah Taylor has been undertaking a full population assessment which will help conservationists better understand the reality of the threat to the trees from climate change induced sea level rise and inform future conservation decision making.

Key points from the ‘State of the worlds trees’ report

Trees of Europe

•             58% of trees endemic to Europe are threatened with extinction in the wild

•             Whitebeams and Rowan (Sorbus genus) are the most threatened species of trees in Europe, with over 125 species (out of 170) threatened with extinction

•             European Islands host unique tree flora, that is at risk from rising climate causing narrow endemic species to be threatened by increased occurrence of fire

•             359 trees are found in European Botanic Gardens and 393 species are found in protected areas worldwide

 

Why tree conservation matters

Tree species are the backbone of the natural ecosystem. They store 50% of the world’s terrestrial carbon and provide a buffer from extreme weather, such hurricanes and tsunamis.

Many threatened tree species provide the habitat and food for millions of other species of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects and microorganisms. The extinction of a single tree species could cause a domino effect, catalysing the loss of many other species.

Despite this, it has often been animals that have received most attention as requiring urgent protection. With a third of tree species on the verge of extinction, the State of the World’s Trees Report hopes to raise awareness of the trees that are equally at risk and require action to prevent extinction.

A roadmap for the future – hope for trees remains

Despite nearly a third of tree species threatened with extinction, the report indicates hope for the future if conservation efforts continue and further action is taken. With the publication of the State of World’s Trees Report, BGCI hopes to catalyse action among policymakers and conservation experts across the world.

To aid that, BGCI are today launching a new GlobalTree Portal, an online database tracking conservation efforts for trees at a species, country, and global level.

Both the report and portal show for the first time which trees need the most protection, where action is needed most urgently, and most importantly, where the gaps in conservation effort are, so that resources and expertise can be deployed most effectively. Used together, the report and portal provide the tools and information for countries, policymakers, and experts to bring species back from the brink.

In the report, BGCI recommend five key actions for policymakers and experts in order to protect and bring back threatened species:

●             Extend protected area coverage for threatened tree species that are currently not-well represented in protected areas

●             Ensure that all globally threatened tree species, where possible, are conserved in botanic garden and seed bank collections

●             Increase availability of Government and corporate funding for threatened tree species

●             Expand tree planting schemes, and ensure the targeted planting of threatened and native species

●             Increase global collaboration to tackle tree extinction, by participating in international efforts such as the Global Conservation Consortia

This method of conservation has a track record of successfully bringing back tree populations from the brink. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the Global Trees Campaign has helped to recover over 400 threatened tree species over the past 15 years.

How organisations and individuals can help

Individuals and organisations can support diverse tree planting programmes, which support the planting of native and threatened tree species. Examples of tree species that urgently need assistance can be found on BGCI’s Tree Conservation Fund website – a platform that enables conservation practitioners to highlight the plight of their local tree species and seek support for their conservation.

Support the work of North Wales Wildlife trust by donating, volunteering or becoming a member at https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/

Donate to the conservation work of FossilPlants at http://www.fossilplants.co.uk/donate/

For more information and for press and media enquiries

Bangor University – Elinor Elis Williams, press officer – e.elis-williams@bangor.ac.uk or 01248 383298.

North Wales Wildlife Trust – Ian Campbell, Communications Officer – ian.campbell@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk / 07904 598 587

FossilPlants – Robbie Blackhall-Miles  - robbie@fossilplants.co.uk

 

North Wales Wildlife Trust  www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Our vision is ‘an environment richer in wildlife for everyone’. We are the leading charity in North Wales dedicated exclusively to conserving all our habitats and species, with a membership of more than 7,300 people We campaign for the protection of wildlife and invest in the future by helping people of all ages to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of wildlife. We care for 36 nature reserves spanning over 750 hectares. For further information about North Wales Wildlife Trust please phone 01248 351541 or e-mail info@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

 

FossilPlants www.fossilplants.co.uk is a BGCI accredited ‘backyard’ botanic garden and botanical horticulture practice on a mission to protect threatened plant species through ex-situ conservation and restoration.