Global survey of ex situ Quercus collections

In 2007, BGCI and FFI jointly published The Red List of Oaks under the partnership of the Global Trees Campaign. The report called for action to ensure that the 29 taxa listed in the report as Critically Endangered (CR) or Endangered (E) were conserved.

Quercus parvula - E

The first stage of this action is to establish which of these very threatened taxa are held in ex situ collections around the world by carrying out a global survey.

The survey identified 3,796 Oak records from 198 institutions in 39 countries. However, only 91 ex situ records representing just 13 of the most threatened Oaks were located.

This means that more than half of the Critically Endangered or Endangered taxa are currently not known to cultivation and therefore at great risk of extinction if threats that they are facing in the wild are not addressed.

Quercus acerifolia - E

The report concludes by making a call for further information to fill gaps in our knowledge of collections and by making a series of recommendations based on the results of the survey including; strengthening of existing ex situ collections, establishing new collections, implementing restoration and reintroduction activities, involving local communities and organisation in conservation activities, developing public awareness programmes and enhancing BGCI’s PlantSearch database.

The report also calls for further information to fill gaps in our knowledge of ex situ collections.

Download the global survey of ex situ Quercus collections here

Let us know if you are aware of any oak collections

Securing ex situ collections of Critically Endangered and Endangered Quercus

One in five of the world’s Quercus species are threatened with extinction in the wild. The Red List of Oaks, published jointly by BGCI and FFI, identified 109 wild Quercus species as being in danger of extinction.

Find Out More

Global Trees Campaign
The Global Trees Campaign was established seven years ago to save the world's most extremely threatened trees and the habitats where they grow. Many of these trees are down to just a few individuals surviving. There are ways for everyone to get involved. Learn more on the GTC website.

The Red List of Oaks

BGCI has published the Red List of Oaks which highlights the threatened state of oak trees around the world. Click to find out more and download the report.