Home / Environment / UK's Rare Black Poplars Get DNA Boost
UK's Rare Black Poplars Get DNA Boost
24 Oct
Summary
- DNA testing aids rare black poplar tree restoration in Thames Valley.
- Numbers have fallen due to felling, drainage, and habitat loss.
- Aims to raise £20,000 for DNA analysis, propagation, and planting.
Conservation efforts are underway in the Thames Valley to restore the UK's scarce black poplar trees, a species threatened by historical felling, land drainage, and habitat loss. The "Swindon to Oxford: Regenerating the Thames and Tributaries" program collaborates with local groups to boost the population along the River Thames and its floodplains.
These "Lord of the Rings"-esque trees, characterized by their gnarled trunks, are crucial habitats for wildlife like the poplar hornet moth. Despite their resilience, only 50 black poplars are currently recorded in Oxfordshire. The project is seeking to raise £20,000 for vital work including DNA analysis, propagating new cuttings, and strategic planting.
Financial support has been received from West Oxfordshire District Council and the Vale of White Horse Council. Oxfordshire County Council's Local Nature Recovery Strategy has pledged to match fund donations up to £10,000. Black poplars also play a key role in flood risk reduction by absorbing water along riverbanks and floodplains. The fragmented remaining population requires significant assistance to recover.
