|
YANGBI MAPLE
Common Name: Yangbi Maple
Scientific Name: Acer yangbiense
Categories: Species fragility, danger of exploitation;
Introduction
Acer yangbiense is one of the world’s most threatened trees. When it was first described by scientists in 2003, the known population consisted of no more than 10 trees. When the population was revisited in 2007, only 4 trees could be found. Urgent work is now underway to save the species from extinction, including efforts to establish effective propagation techniques to bring the tree into cultivation in botanic gardens.
Why is this species important?
Since this species was recently described in 2003, very little research has been conducted about its ethnobotanical importance. Therefore, additional research is needed to discover the role of this tree within its surrounding ecosystem and also its potential role in the human world. Future research may reveal that this species is of importance for medicine or other beneficial use. If it is lost then it would represent the continuing trend of species extinction, leading to further reduction in biodiversity at both a local and global scale.
Where is it found?
This Maple is only found in a single valley on the on the western slopes of Mount Cangshan, Yangbi county in north-western Yunnan, China.
How do people use it?
Owing to the relatively recent discovery of this species and the very small size of the one remaining population, exploitation by people is being actively discouraged. However, due to the small population there is a very high risk that the remaining trees could be easily cut for firewood use which could easily lead to the extinction of the species.
Why is it threatened?
Acer yangbiense is restricted to a single very small wild population which consists of just four individuals. This means that the survival of the species at risk from a wide range of potential activities or environmental events which could be difficult to predict or mitigate against. The long term recovery of the species is hindered by very limited genetic diversity and inbreeding characteristic of small populations. The population exists outside of the official protected area system.
What conservation action is needed?
The remaining trees need to be protected as a matter or urgency with help both from local communities and authorities. Further surveys are required to find out if there are any other populations existing elsewhere. This species is not currently held in any ex-situ collections, with poor seed viability acting as a barrier to cultivation. Research into propagation techniques is therefore urgently required. To this end, artificial pollination trials have been done by the Institute of Botany in Beijing. This proved successful and partners at Beijing and in Kunming Botanic Gardens have managed to propagate significant number of seedlings. Following this success, researchers will examine the possibility of reintroducing seedlings to strengthen the remaining population and increase the hope of re-establishing a viable and healthy population.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to BGCI for writing this profile.
Selected references
Red List of Maples (Global Trees Campaign, 2009)
Back to Tree Profiles
|
