Recherche scientifique MNHN

Rare and threatened trees and shrubs of Luxembourg

Starting this year, we have a research and conservation project treating the rare and endangered trees and shrubs of Luxembourg.

The general aim of this project is to gather up to date information on the conservation status of these plants, to contribute to the seed bank of endangered plant species, create an ex situ conservation collection and make an active contribution to in-situ conservation of the indigenous trees and shrubs.

Cotoneaster integerrimus on an exposed sandstone rock at Würthsberg, Clausen

The project includes the following steps:

Step 1: gathering information
Step 2: collecting seeds
Step 3: propagating from seeds
Step 4: conservation (ex-situ & in situ)

Step 1: gathering information

24 tree and shrub species are listed in the Red Data Book of vascular plants of Luxembourg (Colling & Reichling, last update Apr. 1999).

Trees & shrubs listed in
the Red Data Book of vascular plants of Luxembourg

revised IUCN categories (1994)

The status of 8 more species, which are until now considered to be not endangered, should be revised:

Unfortunately we have very little current field data on many of these species, as you can see from the distribution map of juniper (Juniperus communis L.). Most of the recorded observations date from the fifties and sixties. The first step will be to check these ancient sites in order to update the distribution maps, starting with the most endangered categories (CR and EN).