Expedition to Taiwan

In November 2023 a team from Westonbirt travelled to collect seeds in the wilds of Taiwan,  east of mainland China , a biodiversity hotspot and a part of the world with complex conservation needs. Threats to Taiwanese trees include increasing extreme weather events in light of climate change.

Our team travelled to Taiwan to gather material that can contribute to the ex situ conservation of threatened Taiwanese plant species and to learn more about the wild status of the Taiwanese flora to inform international conservation efforts.

Working with in-country partners, the team explored a range of habitats, often collecting species from multiple different locations, to boost the diversity currently represented in collections. Collecting from multiple populations allows us to learn more about the tolerances of species growing outside of their native ranges, which can inform how they might respond to changing environments.

Seven collections of seed were from species or subspecies that will be new to Westonbirt's tree collection.