CONSERVATION OF TWO CRITICALLY ENDANGERED MAGNOLIAS IN SOUTHEAST YUNNAN

The Global Trees Campaign is working in partnership with Kunming Botanic Garden to strengthen ex situ conservation and initiate recovery programmes for Magnolia coriacea and Magnolia phanerophlebia in China. The project aims to gather biological information about each species and raise awareness of their conservation amongst people in local communities.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Magnolia coriacea and Magnolia phanerophlebia are Critically Endangered species, with an estimated 500 and 200 individuals respectively. Both species are only found in Southeast Yunnan province in China, scattered in evergreen forests that are not protected within nature reserves.

The natural regeneration of both species is very poor and, although Magnolia coriacea blooms well, it rarely bears fruit in the wild. It is clear that further research and conservation action is urgently needed for both species. One aim of this project is to conduct a comprehensive study on the sexual reproductive phases of M. coriacea in order to determine the cause of its poor fruiting in the wild.

In addition to field studies, work is underway to develop propagation techniques for both M. coriacea and M. phanerophlebia to facilitate their ex situ conservation. At present, only five individuals of M. coriacea are in ex situ collections at Wenshan and two individuals of M. phanerophlebia have recently been planted at Kunming Botanic Garden. It is hoped that improved propagation techniques will allow cultivation of both species at Kunming Botanic Garden and other gardens in China, with the aim of reinforcing threatened wild populations.

Back to Current Projects