Scientists race to collect the last seeds from a critically endangered tree before it goes extinct
Seeds from the last surviving wild Dendroseris neriifolia tree are now stored in Kew Gardens' Millennium Seed Bank as researchers work to find ways to reintroduce the species into the wild.
Seeds from the last surviving wild Dendroseris neriifolia tree are now stored in Kew Gardens' Millennium Seed Bank as researchers work to find ways to
Read Full Story at Live Science →Why This Matters
The extinction of the last wild Dendroseris neriifolia would erase a unique evolutionary lineage from Earth’s botanical record, one that could hold undiscovered genetic adaptations to climate pressures. Preserving even a single seed from this tree isn’t just about conservation—it’s about safeguarding potential solutions for future agricultural or medicinal breakthroughs that might depend on its lost traits.
Background Context
Once widespread across Chile’s Juan Fernández Islands, this tree now survives as a single individual, its decline driven by habitat destruction, invasive species, and the cascading effects of climate change. The archipelago’s isolation, once a haven for biodiversity, has become a bottleneck where human activity and ecological collapse intersect with irreversible consequences.
What Happens Next
Researchers will attempt to propagate the stored seeds under controlled conditions, but success hinges on replicating the tree’s specific ecological niche—something notoriously difficult in ex-situ conservation. If reintroductions fail, the species may join the ranks of plants known only from herbarium specimens, serving as a cautionary tale rather than a restored ecosystem.
Bigger Picture
This crisis reflects a broader pattern where island ecosystems—biodiversity hotspots with high endemism—are collapsing faster than global conservation funding can address. As climate shifts outpace natural adaptation, even the most drastic interventions like seed banking become stopgaps rather than long-term fixes.
