Discovery of new tree species in the Tanzanian mountains

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Discovery of new tree species in the Tanzanian mountains

Researchers discovered a new tree species in the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania, part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and a region of global importance for species in need of conservation.

The tree, which can reach 20 m in height and has white flowers, has been classified as threatened with extinction because of its low population density (only 8 km2). It is not yet known what type of wildlife the tree could rely on, but it is most likely pollinated by a beetle species.

Researcher Andy Marshall, from York University's Department of Environment and Geography, discovered the tree during a forest study to understand the environmental factors that influence the amount of carbon that forests can store.

Botanist George Gosline of Kew Gardens acknowledged that this is a new species related to a group previously thought to be limited to West Africa. This led to the recognition of three new species in the group.

Dr. Marshall said, "The tree is found in a particularly beautiful part of the world - up in the cloudy mountains and surrounded by tea plantations. Now that we know it exists, we need to find ways to protect it.

"With such a small population, it is important that it is not isolated from other forests in the region due to the increase in agriculture. Small forests must be linked to each other to ensure seed dispersal and species adaptation to climate change."

The forests of these mountains have been reduced by thousands of square kilometres over the past 100 years and are now threatened by climate change. The researchers argue that it is essential to examine conservation methods in order to maintain or increase the tree population.

Research shows that forests that have been restored through human intervention rarely reach the same number of species as would have occurred naturally. This means that conservation efforts must begin before further damage occurs.

A research project led by Dr. Marshall in another part of Tanzania, the Magombera Forest, is expected to provide researchers with a better understanding of the best methods to protect these isolated rare species. The project includes working with local villagers to develop new methods of forest restoration and to find alternative sources of wood, and how local people can help reduce forest fires and invasive vines that can kill trees.

Thanks to local support, thousands of small trees have grown back in previously lost areas, suggesting that a similar approach could be used in other areas where species are threatened with extinction by human activities and climate change.

George Gosline, botanist from Kew Gardens, said: "The discovery of this extremely rare species reaffirms the importance of the Eastern Arc massif as one of the most important biodiversity reservoirs in Africa.

"The region is a refuge for ancient species from a time when a large forest covered all tropical Africa. These forest remains are precious and irreplaceable."

This discovery is not the first to be made in the region by Dr. Andy Marshall; other discoveries in the Eastern Arc Mountains include a new species of chameleon and the Polyceratocarpus askhambryan-iringae, which was discovered by chance while Dr. Marshall was researching one of the rarest primates in the world, the kipunji monkey.