Conservation of Zelkova abelicea in Crete

Conservation of Zelkova abelicea in Crete

Partners: Jardin botanique de Fribourg, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh)
Years: 2019-2021

The primary aim of this project is to enable, enhance and promote the long-term conservation of Zelkova abelicea; a relict, threatened and endangered endemic tree species of Crete (Greece) by coupling in situ and ex situ conservation actions with communication and outreach activities and other collaborative activities.

In situ conservation actions include: maintaining already established fenced plots, fencing newly established seedlings in the wild, monitoring of the growth of Z. abelicea and other woody within fenced plots and investigating the effects of abiotic (e.g. climatic and soil properties) and biotic factors (e.g. insects) on the growth of the species.

Ex situ conservation actions include: fruit collection, curation and storage in the seed bank of the CIHEAM-MAICh and cultivation and propagation of seedlings.

In situ and ex situ conservation actions will be coupled with communication and outreach activities such as the implementation of education and information campaigns and the organization of a final workshop in which “guidelines and recommendations” for the conservation and management of Z. abelicea will be presented to the local and national authorities responsible for the protection of threatened plant species.