Magnolias 'facing extinction'
Magnolias are some of the world's oldest flowers
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Monday, 02, Apr 2007 04:05
More than half of the world's magnolia species are facing extinction in their native forest habitats, a new study has warned.
It claims that 131 wild magnolias from a total of 245 species worldwide are in danger of extinction.
Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and Fauna and Flora International (FFI), which published the report today, warn that this potential loss is "catastrophic" and has a wider implication as magnolias are an indicator of the well-being of the forests around them.
Magnolias, which are among the most ancient groups of flowering plants stretching back up to 800 years ago, are mostly found in Asia.
According to the report, The Red List of the Magnoliaceae, half of all wild Chinese magnolias are at risk of extinction.
In both North and South America a similar pattern is said to be emerging.
Launching the report today, Sara Oldfield, secretary general of BGCI, said: "We now have a choice. We can use the new information to conserve these important trees and restore their forest habitats or we can catalogue their extinction.
"The second option would be a tragedy."
Both the BGCI and FFI are working together through the Global Trees Campaign to improve conservation efforts for threatened magnolias.