Published: February 2025

Summary EDGE/AZE project: Prioritising the conservation of monotypic tree species

In 2024, GTSG was awarded an SSC/EDGE grant (EDGE/AZE project: Prioritising the conservation of monotypic tree species) to ensure that tree species that are evolutionary distinct, at high risk of extinction and existing in a single site have sufficient information available to enable conservation planning. We combined the prioritisation work of GTA, with analysis by Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) and Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE), focusing on 27 monotypic tree genera (genus that includes only one species).

Twenty-nine people from around the world, both members of the Global Tree Specialist Group and independent species experts, collaborated on this project to undertake Red List assessments and contribute with information. Seven of the 27 tree species were identified to have out-of-date Red List assessments, and four of these were reassessed and submitted to the IUCN Red List Unit, the remaining three are in progress.

We were able to compile conservation action information on existing in situ and ex situ conservation actions, and lack thereof, for 20 species, all of which is now available on the GlobalTree Portal. Together with Plant Conservation Action Group and Seychelles Island Foundation, we have also initiated the creation of conservation action plans for four tree species endemic to the Seychelles, and continued collaboration on Red List assessments of trees endemic to the Seychelles.