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Importance of arboreta for ex situ conservation of threatened trees

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Abstract

Threats to biodiversity continue to increase worldwide and the conservation of biodiversity through in situ and complementary ex situ measures are more important than ever. Here we studied the presence of introduced tree species in New Zealand considered threatened according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. We conducted desktop assessments of tree collections across New Zealand in conjunction with a field assessment of the identity and status of threatened introduced trees in eight regional tree collections, focussing on endangered (EN), critically endangered (CR), and extinct in the wild taxa. A total of 15 CR and 52 EN gymnosperm taxa were recorded for New Zealand representing approximately 38 and 40 % of the world’s CR and EN gymnosperms, and a smaller percentage (1 %) of the world’s CR and EN angiosperms. Of particular note are the CR Cupressus chengiana var. jiangensis and Widdringtonia whytei, and several EN gymnosperms, including Cupressus guadalupensis var. guadalupensis, Nageia maxima, and Pinus nelsonii, that are considered priority taxa for ex situ conservation by Botanic Gardens Conservation International. The field assessment confirmed the presence of seven CR and 26 EN tree taxa growing in the Canterbury region. Although many of these were present as one or two individual trees, the combined resources of the collections and the presence of several globally rarer and priority taxa indicate a potentially important role of New Zealand’s tree collections in ex situ conservation. To fulfill their potential, their protection and health status as well as propagation and rejuvenation should be given urgent attention.

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Acknowledgments

The helpful suggestions and recollections of expert botanists and arborists with a knowledge of past planting events and the provenance of trees are very much appreciated. In particular we would like to thank Peter Heenan (Landcare Research), Derrick Rooney, Dieter Steinegg, Bill Sykes, Robert Watson, the late Max Visch and many others. We also thank Kirsty Shaw (BGCI) and Kristina Macdonald for comments on the manuscript. Parts of this project were supported with funds from the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (project FRM 228) and University of Canterbury summer research scholarships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    Matthew Arnet, Bernardo Santos, Eckehard G. Brockerhoff, Pieter B. Pelser & John Clemens

  2. Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute), PO Box 29237, Christchurch, 8540, New Zealand

    Eckehard G. Brockerhoff & Chris Ecroyd

  3. 72 Chelsea Avenue, Richmond, Nelson, New Zealand

    Chris Ecroyd

  4. Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch City Council, PO Box 73036, Christchurch, 8013, New Zealand

    John Clemens

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  1. Matthew Arnet
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  2. Bernardo Santos
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  3. Eckehard G. Brockerhoff
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  4. Pieter B. Pelser
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  5. Chris Ecroyd
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  6. John Clemens
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Correspondence to John Clemens.

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Communicated by Dirk Sven Schmeller.

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Arnet, M., Santos, B., Brockerhoff, E.G. et al. Importance of arboreta for ex situ conservation of threatened trees. Biodivers Conserv 24, 3601–3620 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-015-1024-3

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