CONSERVING A THREATENED APPLE SPECIES IN KYRGYZSTAN

FFI is gathering information on a little-known apple species Malus niedzwetzkyana, classified as Endangered by IUCN. Surveys during 2007 found just 39 adult trees in the rapidly shrinking fruit and nut forests of Kyrgyzstan; its population in neighbouring countries is unknown. Working with national experts and local communities, further activities are now being undertaken to conserve and restore this species.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The fruit and nut forests of Central Asia are a unique and highly threatened habitat. These rich and diverse forests host a range of walnut, apple, pear, almond and pistachio species, and are considered to be one of the main centres of origin of cultivated fruit plants.

A staggering 90% of this habitat has been lost in the last 50 years. Current threats include over-harvesting of fruits, extraction of timber and uncontrolled grazing, which restricts regeneration. These forests are important genetic storehouses that may provide the material for new varieties of fruit tree with beneficial attributes such as disease resistance or climate tolerance.

At the Global Trees Campaign Central Asian Regional Tree Red Listing workshop in 2006, the Niedzwetzky apple Malus niedzwetzkyana was identified as one of the world’s most threatened apple species. Although it has a relatively wide distribution (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China and Afghanistan) it occurs at very low densities and, given the extent of fruit and nut forest destruction, populations are thought to be severely reduced and highly fragmented.

Working with the Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences, the Global Trees Campaign is identifying populations of this rare tree in Kyrgyzstan and taking measures to improve their conservation. With distinctive red-fleshed fruit, the Niedzwetzky apple is an excellent flagship for the conservation and sustainable management of this beleagured forest type.

The first survey was carried out in Autumn 2007 in southern Kyrgyzstan. Alarmingly, just 39 adult trees were found, most of which were old and many in poor condition. Recently cut stumps were seen, but very few young trees or saplings were present. The known trees were marked with a tag and their position recorded by GPS (Global Positioning System). A spring survey in 2008 revealed a further 72 adult trees, bringing the total to 111. The majority of these trees were discovered with the help of local people who were trained to identify the species. Options for the protection of the existing trees are now being explored. Working with local communities who depend on the fruit and nut forests, a tree nursery will be established to grow seedlings of the species to be planted out in secure locations.

This work forms part of a wider pilot project for the sustainable management of fruit and nut forest at Kara Alma village, southern Kyrgyzstan, being run through FFI’s Eurasia regional team.

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