GLOBAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ZELKOVA SPECIES

Zelkova (Ulmaceae) is small genus that comprises six tree species sparsley distributed throughout Eurasia: three in eastern Asia, one in western Asia and two species in the Mediterranen. With some species endangered with extinction, and others still waiting assessment, a global action plan for Zelkovia is greatly needed.

The Global Trees Campaign is working with the University of Fribourg to promote the Zelkova global conservation action plan

Building on the results thus far obtained through the work of the Global Trees Campaign and the Botanic Garden of the University of Fribourg (JBUF), the partnership will continue to analyse the European and West-Asiatic Zelkova species (Z. sicula, Z. abelicea and Z. carpinifolia) while selected samplings will be undertaken for the Asiatic taxa (Z. serrata, Z. schneideriana and Z. sinica). This will involve:

- Field work: Surveys of natural populations, potential restoration sites and selected visits to potential partner institutions such as in France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Poland, Pan-Caucasus region, China and/or Japan, etc.

- Genetic studies: The analyses of data and writing of reports/publications will be completed by the end of July 2012.

- Action plans for selected populations: In Sicily (Z. sicula), provision of scientific advice for the elaboration of an action plan will continue. For Z. abelicea detailed action plans for four selected populations in each mountain region of Crete will be developed.

- Pilot restoration project: At the 6th European Botanic Gardens Congress, Chios, Greece (28 May to 2 June 2012) we will convene a workshop to showcase the project’s activities and results, as well as to discuss and identify restoration sites in Crete. The initiation of the pilot projects is planned for the second part of 2012, following the outcomes from the workshop.

- Planning workshop for the development of a trees exhibition to be displayed in Baku, Azerbaijan: The Natural History Museum of Fribourg has indicated interest in supporting the development of a Tertiary relict trees exhibition following the preliminary results of the Zelkova project. Given the unique relict forests remaining in Azerbaijan, the Institute of Botany in Baku is very keen to collaborate in this project. This could trigger the expansion of the current exhibition space into a new and more ambitious National Botany Museum in Baku. A workshop is planned for mid 2012, to discuss the development of this exhibition.

- Dissemination of results: The results of the project will be showcased at various international gatherings in 2012, for which an images collection and film material will be developed.

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