A team of botanical experts from 10 institutions recently discovered a type of oak tree that was believed to be extinct. To preserve the remaining specimen of its kind, scientists are developing safe conservation methods in the sanctuary of Big Bend National Park, Texas, where the oak tree was found clinging for its life.
Quercus tardifolia
Discovery of the Quercus tardifolia in Big Bend National Park, Texas.
Specialists led the discovery from the United States Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum (USBG). According to their findings, the tree, also known as Quercus tardifolia, measures about 30 feet in height. However, most of its body is in poor condition, pushing the team to preserve its entirety for survival.
The tree was first introduced back in the 1930s. In 2011, the lineage of this tree species was deemed extinct internationally.
The Morton Arboretum vice president and fellow conservationist Murphy Westwood explained that the work performed by their team is one of many efforts to preserve the remaining biodiversity that the planet is quickly losing. EurekAlert reported.
Ignoring that trees such as the Quercus tardifolia are already endangered, or extinct could result in a domino effect that directly inflicts the decline of other organisms and even ecosystems that rely on these trees, Westwood continued.
The Quercus tardifolia is one of the rarest oak trees on Earth.
According to the team, the tree analysis could provide insights into how these species became extinct and how approaches would strengthen the protection of other organisms before meeting the same fate of Quercus tardifolia. The team is still working on methods to preserve the newly discovered tree specimen.
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Preserving Earth's Rarest Oak Tree
Scientists discovered the tree back in May of this year. According to records from the sighting, the tree's trunk was already damaged with inflictions such as scars from fire and other fungal infections. Due to climate change, possible causes that disrupt the body of the oak tree are droughts and wildfires.
To keep the old tree species intact, the experts modified its area to become a more suitable environment for the preservation and prevent any risks of wildfires. If the tree does not survive further aging, the team plans to breed its data and propagate more using other parent plants.
USBG acting executive director Susan Pell explained that the agency is glad about the collaboration that led to the success of this rediscovery. She adds that finding the remaining tree of its species is just the beginning of the preservation efforts they will process to understand more and conserve a range of threatened trees.
Big Bend National Park's botany specialist Carolyn Whiting said that the area selected from the Chisos Mountain to preserve the Quercus tardifolia serves as a habitat for other oak species as it supports the right conditions needed by the organisms, but there is indeed much to learn from the trees located in the Chisos.
Institutes and organizations included in this project are the University of California, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Polly Hill Arboretum, NatureServe, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories and Arboretum, and The Sul Ross State University A. Michael Powell Herbarium.
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