Scientists race to collect the last seeds from a critically endangered tree before it goes extinct
One of the world’s rarest trees, a cliffside plant with only one known individual left in the wild, may have a new chance for survival, as scientists have collected hundreds of seeds from the endangered home of the sole survivor on Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island.
Tree, dendroseris neriifolia, Juan is native to the Fernández Islands, a remote chain of volcanic islands about 420 miles (673 kilometers) from mainland Chile. Once Robinson Crusoe found himself in the lowlands of the island, D. neriifolia It is threatened by habitat loss, erosion, invasive species, animal grazing, fires, etc. historical forest clearing.
Linage dendroceris It has 11 species, not only with all populations D. neriifolia in the fall, Paulina Hechenleitner V.a plant taxonomist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in Scotland told Live Science via email. He said that no seed of this species has been stored in any seed store so far.
Seeds of the last remaining wild tree were recently sent to the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Wakehurst, the botanic garden of West Sussex, England, where scientists are conducting germination tests and storing the material for long-term conservation. X-ray analysis found that of the 29 seeds sent to Kew, 25 were potentially viable, and seven plants are now taking root inside the gardens, According to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
“Through this project, we hope to be able to produce more seeds from the plants we are growing now once they reach flowering age.” Alice HudsonKev Wakehurst, Millennium Seed Bank Partnership Officer, told Live Science in an email.
extinction of an island tree
Hechenleitner said D. neriifoliaThe population has been in decline for more than a century. This species was first described in the 1830s from material collected by the Italian botanist carlo berteroOne of the early botanical explorers of the Juan Fernández Islands.
“Historical accounts indicate that this species was relatively common in parts of its range in the late 19th century, although local extinctions were already being reported,” Hechenleitner said.
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While a field expedition in 1980 found seven trees, each up to 16 feet (5 m) tall, today only one tree remains, monitored by Chilean park rangers with CONAF, Chile’s national forest agency.
rock climbing
Collecting seeds from trees is dangerous, highly specialized work. Just reaching the tree is a challenge.
“It’s a rocky volcanic island where there are no cars [accessible] The road,” Hechenleitner said. “The only access is a 4-hour trek followed by a 2-hour climb.”
last known wild D. neriifolia Clings to a steep cliff and ropes are used to keep him from falling. Each March, when the seeds have matured, park rangers climb along the trunk to reach the flowering branches to capture the mature seeds in a net. However, this is the first time that the seeds have gone to a bank. “There are several different ways you can collect seeds from a tree, the best method depends on several factors, including the height of the tree,” Hudson said. “The seeds should be collected at the point where they naturally release from the tree, this means you can often use methods such as getting a throw line over the branch and gently shaking the tree to release the seeds for collection.”
Climbing is still the main option for very high or inaccessible trees, although newer equipment is preferred. drone This may help in collecting seeds in the future.
Drones may be the future of seed collection for some rocky plants.
(Image credit: Richard Newsted via Getty Images)
overcoming biological barriers
Despite the seeds appearing viable, conservationists are concerned about genetic barriers, low fertility, and inbreeding in the wild. Although D. neriifolia Can self-fertilize, seed production may be limited if flowering branches are sparse.
“Seed conservation provides a backup – If anything happens to the plant in the wild, the bank stores seeds that we know how to germinate, so that the species is not destroyed,” Hudson explained. “It spreads some of the risk.”
Seed banks also allow scientists to study the germination process up close and in a controlled environment.
“Many species may have complex dormancy or germination requirements, so this means we can research the best ways to germinate seeds, share our knowledge to help others reintroduce plants back into the wild, or use them for scientific research to find future foods or medicines,” Hudson said.
Now, scientists have hope for the youth D. neriifolia The Kew Wakehurst plants will eventually flower and produce even more seeds for storage. The knowledge gained from growing them could help Chilean conservationists develop protocols for future restoration.
“These, along with future seed production from the remaining trees, will be used to prepare plants for restoration efforts in Chile or for other ex-local living collections,” Hudson said.
