Led by Atlanta Botanical Garden, in collaboration with BGCI and other partners from across the genus’s range, The Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia has been initiated to address the conservation needs of wild Magnolia species.
The goal of the Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia is to mobilise a coordinated network of institutions and experts who work collaboratively to develop and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy to prevent the extinction of the world’s Magnolia species.
Comprising more than 300 species, magnolias are widely appreciated around the world for their ornamental qualities and as sources of medicine and timber. However, many are also in peril.
Published in 2016, The Red List of Magnoliaceae highlighted that 47% of Magnolia species were threatened with extinction in the wild. Vast numbers of species are subject to habitat destruction, overharvesting and low natural regeneration.
There are more than 172 threatened species and only 43% of these are found in ex situ collections. This figure is well below Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, which calls for 75% of threatened plants to be held in ex situ collections. Whilst there is work on-going to protect some Magnolia species, many more are in need of conservation action.
Species identified as at risk of extinction require plans to ensure that they not only survive but are resilient to the threats they face. This involves the protection of threatened wild populations of plants in their natural habitats and ex situ conservation in botanic gardens and seed banks. The Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia is bringing together the world's Magnolia community to address the conservation needs of this valuable, charismatic genus.
The Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia is led by:
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
United States
atlantabg.org
For questions or more information, or if you are interested in learning more about current GCC for Magnolia activities please contact Jean Linsky, GCC for Magnolia Coordinator.
USA & Canada
There are seven species of Magnolia native to Canada and the United States, ranging from Southern Ontario to Texas along the Eastern US. Some species are threatened by habitat fragmentation and disturbance including M. ashei.
South America
South America is a Magnolia hotspot with 75 species present in the region, of which 59 are threatened with extinction.
Mexico & Central America
Mexico & Central America are home to around 59 Magnolia species, of which 44 are threatened with extinction. With many new species having been described in recent years the GCC for Magnolia has been working to assess these species for the IUCN Red List.
Caribbean
There are 14 wild Magnolia taxa found in the Caribbean region, almost all are threatened with extinction.
East Asia
With China as a major diversity centre for Magnolia species, the East Asian region hosts 118 Magnolia species. Around 35 species are threatened with extinction, while 49 species are currently assessed as Data Deficient.
South and Southeast Asia
This region also hosts 118 species (35 threatened), many of which are shared with the East Asian Region. Similarly to that region, 52 species here are assessed as Data Deficient.
Botanic Gardens Conservation International’s work aims to promote and develop a more efficient, cost effective and rational approach to plant conservation in botanic gardens. We will do this by leading and advocating, leading innovative and strategic projects, building plant conservation capacity, and providing funding.
BGCI is an independent organisation registered in the United Kingdom as a charity (Charity Reg. No. 1098834) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 4673175).
