A group of scientists replanted ancient Wollemia nobilis trees. (Photo: Ken Griffiths)
JAKARTA – A group of scientists replanted ancient tree Wollemia nobilis is 66 million years old and was previously thought to have become extinct 2 million years ago. This was done in an effort to bring back the lost species from extinction.
The replanting of ancient pine trees will be carried out in three secret locations in Wollemi National Park, New South Wales, Australia. This involves Australian government scientists and conservation activists around the world, as compiled by Live Science on Thursday (29/3/2024).
“Wollemia pines are planted in sandstone canyons on plateaus that are quite deep, narrow and steep-sided. These locations could be a refuge from frequent and severe forest fires and droughts,” the scientists said in a statement.
The first Wollemia nobilis tree was discovered in 1994 after it was believed to have disappeared for 2 million years. A number of climbers in the Blue Mountains of Australia managed to identify it in a quite pathetic condition and very vulnerable to death.
Wollemia nobilis is threatened by Phytophthora cinnamomi, a pathogenic water mold that causes mortality, and rampant forest fires in the New South Wales region. It currently holds critically endangered status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Scientists have taken extensive steps to prevent the reintroduction of Phytophthora which could cause Wollemia to become extinct. In addition to planting them in hidden locations, scientists will also sterilize their shoes when visiting Wollemia to reduce the possibility of transmitting the fungus.
“To be successful, the translocated population must be self-sustaining, and the benchmark is the emergence of the second generation of seedlings. Given the slow growth and maturation of Wollemia pine trees in the wild, this will likely take decades, even centuries,” the scientist said.
“Given the predicted increase in the frequency and severity of fires and drought due to climate change which are arguably the two greatest threats to these trees, their long-term population security is far from guaranteed,” he said.
(msf)
2024-02-29 04:17:52
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