Plants: Conservation Discuss invasive plants, habitat loss, climate change, and other topics related to plant conservation. Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:19:40 +0000 Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:19:40 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/plants-conservation.257/ Hunt for rare daffodils that are feared lost Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:24:46 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hunt-for-rare-daffodils-that-are-feared-lost.105453/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hunt-for-rare-daffodils-that-are-feared-lost.105453/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Hunt for rare daffodils that are feared lost​
A video posted about the same time last year of the daffodils in the article:
]]> Invasive Holly Sun, 23 Mar 2025 23:14:15 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/invasive-holly.105081/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/invasive-holly.105081/ invalid@example.com (Chris Morris) Chris Morris I've cut a large one down in the past, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has experience with removing a large number of them.
What techniques do you find work the best ? cutting down, girdling? and which tools do you prefer,? saws, axes, hatchets machetes?
I've spent almost all my free time over the last two years removing invasive plants near a section of Eagle Creek in...

Invasive Holly]]> World's botanic gardens full. What to do? Sun, 26 Jan 2025 02:29:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/worlds-botanic-gardens-full-what-to-do.105004/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/worlds-botanic-gardens-full-what-to-do.105004/ invalid@example.com (togata57) togata57 Cambridge University Botanic Garden curator Prof Sam Brockington, who led the research, said: “Botanic gardens are full. We’re running out of space and resources. The rate at which plants are being listed as threatened is increasing much more rapidly than the rate at which we’re managing to respond. The risk of extinction is accelerating and our response is too slow.”

The results, published in the journal Nature Ecology &...

World's botanic gardens full. What to do?]]> Conservation of Maples Grant by TIMS Sun, 07 Jul 2024 18:34:46 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/conservation-of-maples-grant-by-tims.104542/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/conservation-of-maples-grant-by-tims.104542/ invalid@example.com (Vesna) Vesna
The International Maple Society (TIMS) seeks to encourage research on the maple species worldwide. Following support of previous work, the International Maple Society is providing a £1200 bursary for a project focused on the conservation of maple species. We are inviting interested institutions or individuals to apply for the grant. The applicant must comply with the following criteria:

1 The applicant must be a member of the International Maple Society, which includes the North...

Conservation of Maples Grant by TIMS]]> Rubus clarification please? Wed, 22 May 2024 10:46:40 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rubus-clarification-please.104457/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rubus-clarification-please.104457/ invalid@example.com (nitrogeninthesoil) nitrogeninthesoil
However, I spend most of my time here in northern VA removing invasives and if these blackberries were of the non native, European or Asian variety I would reluctantly remove....

Rubus clarification please?]]> 2 Poisonous pea may become vital crop. Wed, 02 Aug 2023 04:44:47 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/poisonous-pea-may-become-vital-crop.103544/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/poisonous-pea-may-become-vital-crop.103544/ invalid@example.com (togata57) togata57 When eaten as part of a balanced diet, the grass pea is safe. But when other crops have failed and only the hardy grass pea survives, its consumption can have grim effects in the form of the neurotoxic disease of lathyrism.

However, once stripped of its toxic effects, the grass pea could have a crucial role to play in a world that has been afflicted by the consequences of the climate emergency. “We should not...

Poisonous pea may become vital crop.]]> Enset to the rescue? Thu, 13 Apr 2023 03:41:55 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/enset-to-the-rescue.103209/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/enset-to-the-rescue.103209/ invalid@example.com (togata57) togata57 This plant is a staple source of nutrition for around a fifth of the population of Ethiopia, who make food from the bases of its leaves and underground stem.

Enset plants, Ensete ventricosum, are an African relative of the banana plant, and reach up to 30 feet (10 m) in height.

Dr James Borrell, the Research Leader in Trait Diversity and Function at Kew, said: 'Not many people have heard of enset out of Ethiopia...

Enset to the rescue?]]> Could phytoplankton save Earth? Wed, 17 Aug 2022 00:05:23 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/could-phytoplankton-save-earth.102684/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/could-phytoplankton-save-earth.102684/ invalid@example.com (togata57) togata57
There is 50 times more carbon in the ocean than the atmosphere. Some climate researchers believe if we could just slightly increase the amount of carbon the ocean can absorb from the atmosphere, we could avoid some of the worst effects of climate change.

The ocean covers roughly...

Could phytoplankton save Earth?]]> Our manicured lawns Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:35:30 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/our-manicured-lawns.99019/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/our-manicured-lawns.99019/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic Now in these times of heat waves and devastating fires around the world, is it time for the manicured lawn in our gardens to say goodbye.
This link shows how much is used along with chemicals that do nothing but harm to the environment.

Grass takes up 2% of the land in...

Our manicured lawns]]> 17 Plants Conservation resources discussion Fri, 18 Mar 2022 20:45:10 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/plants-conservation-resources-discussion.87533/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/plants-conservation-resources-discussion.87533/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler
Plants: Conservation Resource Links

Links related to invasive plants, habitat loss, climate change, and conservation topics
Actually, there is just one link right now. There's lots of material around. We could use some suggestions in this thread.

Discuss resources on the list, and submit suggestions for ones to be added to the list....

Plants Conservation resources discussion]]> 3 Hello from the east coast, orchid introduction question. Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:37:43 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hello-from-the-east-coast-orchid-introduction-question.102048/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hello-from-the-east-coast-orchid-introduction-question.102048/ invalid@example.com (Ps.illyWabiit) Ps.illyWabiit I want to plant them in a park by my house in and area that seems perfect now but has gone threw much development for the last 150 years. It was marsh. Then a dump. Then...

Hello from the east coast, orchid introduction question.]]> 1 Garry Oaks threatened Thu, 03 Mar 2022 01:12:23 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/garry-oaks-threatened.98651/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/garry-oaks-threatened.98651/ invalid@example.com (Garryoak meadows) Garryoak meadows Seems direct action by well meaning,though misplaced actions are destroying the precious treasure on Vancouver Island. I give you a new tree house built over the fence from a new subdivision.
It can be seen with the fresh acorn that the Garry oak is just reaching its productive stage.
Educate the family that is killing the threatened Garry oak with their misguided love of the oak?
Of note,in the city bylaws, the Garry oak, our...

Garry Oaks threatened]]> 13 Only 7% of UK native woods are in a healthy state Sun, 09 May 2021 20:49:34 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/only-7-of-uk-native-woods-are-in-a-healthy-state.100475/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/only-7-of-uk-native-woods-are-in-a-healthy-state.100475/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic This is just a short extract, but is sad reading. Can it recover is the question!!?
  • Although woodland cover is slowly increasing, woodland wildlife is decreasing.
  • Only 7% of the UK’s native woods are in a healthy state.
  • Since 1970, woodland bird numbers have dropped by 29%.
...

Only 7% of UK native woods are in a healthy state]]> 10 Are wasps the gardeners friends ?? Sat, 01 May 2021 22:49:40 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/are-wasps-the-gardeners-friends.100403/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/are-wasps-the-gardeners-friends.100403/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic
Wasps 'could be just as valuable as bees if we give them the chance']]> 1 Farewell to forests. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 23:18:33 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/farewell-to-forests.99975/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/farewell-to-forests.99975/ invalid@example.com (togata57) togata57 Forest mortality researchers say while this does not mark the end of the forests, it may well be the end of many forests as we’ve known them.

And the changes being observed today – in which slow-growing trees that have survived for hundreds of years are dying in a drought or wildfire – cannot be undone in our lifetimes.

“This is the beginning of a new ecological state.”

Is...

Farewell to forests.]]> Lipstick on a Fig Tree: Why Planting Trees Avoids the Real Problems ... Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:53:10 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/lipstick-on-a-fig-tree-why-planting-trees-avoids-the-real-problems.99719/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/lipstick-on-a-fig-tree-why-planting-trees-avoids-the-real-problems.99719/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Lipstick on a Fig Tree: Why Planting Trees Avoids the Real Problems (and May Make Things Worse) (tealeaves.com). Here are two links that were contributed by attendees in the chat:

Frontiers | Rooting Forest Landscape Restoration in...

Lipstick on a Fig Tree: Why Planting Trees Avoids the Real Problems ...]]> WEEDS - What are your thoughts? Wed, 09 Dec 2020 14:08:34 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/weeds-what-are-your-thoughts.99523/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/weeds-what-are-your-thoughts.99523/ invalid@example.com (Margot) Margot
What is really bothering me this year is not so much the ordinary nuisance weeds that show up routinely every year but with the invasive weeds that have been moving into this area since it was first opened to development....

WEEDS - What are your thoughts?]]> 10 Two fifths Wed, 30 Sep 2020 15:08:01 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/two-fifths.99145/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/two-fifths.99145/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic @Frog might appreciate the Fungi photo also.
Daily Mail: Two fifths of the world's plants 'at risk of extinction'.
Two fifths of the world's plants 'at risk of extinction' | Daily Mail Online]]> Planting trees to offset carbon footprint Sat, 26 Sep 2020 07:33:01 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/planting-trees-to-offset-carbon-footprint.99125/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/planting-trees-to-offset-carbon-footprint.99125/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic https://phys.org/news/2020-07-tree-boost-ecosystem-carbon-stocks.html#nRlv]]> Climate change and the extinction of acers Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:20:58 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/climate-change-and-the-extinction-of-acers.99109/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/climate-change-and-the-extinction-of-acers.99109/ invalid@example.com (Mani) Mani
Wild maple trees 'in serious need of conservation']]> 2 The Red List of Acer: revised and extended Tue, 22 Sep 2020 09:11:51 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-red-list-of-acer-revised-and-extended.99110/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-red-list-of-acer-revised-and-extended.99110/ invalid@example.com (emery) emery
The Red List of Acer: revised and extended]]> 300 year old tree being felled for so called progress Wed, 19 Aug 2020 17:55:24 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/300-year-old-tree-being-felled-for-so-called-progress.98815/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/300-year-old-tree-being-felled-for-so-called-progress.98815/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic Protesters say goodbye to 300-year-old oak tree near Leamington that will soon to be knocked down to make way for HS2
When will the leaders of countries learn. The £$¥€ comes first...

300 year old tree being felled for so called progress]]> 2 Deforestation accelerates during pandemic Thu, 13 Aug 2020 07:42:08 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/deforestation-accelerates-during-pandemic.98739/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/deforestation-accelerates-during-pandemic.98739/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic Financial Times: Global deforestation accelerates during pandemic.
Subscribe to read | Financial Times
Not sure if the link works, but if not the headline is still very worrying.]]> 15 Rain Gardens - what they are and why we care Wed, 05 Aug 2020 02:09:11 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rain-gardens-what-they-are-and-why-we-care.98692/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/rain-gardens-what-they-are-and-why-we-care.98692/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler Cougar Creek Streamkeepers.
View attachment 185874 ]]> 1 Galls on Ulmus tree leaves? Wed, 01 Jul 2020 08:23:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/galls-on-ulmus-tree-leaves.88540/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/galls-on-ulmus-tree-leaves.88540/ invalid@example.com (ariani) ariani 2