Rescuing Critically Endangered Species in Belgium – An Ambitious Reintroduction Program of the Botanic Garden Meise
After testing several propagation methods and visiting our colleagues of the LIFE project ‘Arnikawiesen’ in Luxembourg, we have developed an adequate protocol to produce 2,100 healthy plants of Arnica montana that were transplanted at the age of two months in three populations of 700 individuals each.
| Title | Rescuing Critically Endangered Species in Belgium – An Ambitious Reintroduction Program of the Botanic Garden Meise |
|---|---|
| Short description of the practice | The Botanic Garden Meise developed a four-step reintroduction program for critically endangered plants in Belgium, achieving high survival and reproduction rates. |
| Keywords | plant reintroduction, ex situ conservation, endangered species, Belgium, LIFE project, Botanic Garden Meise |
| Organisation in charge of the good practice | Botanic Garden Meise (with LIFE ‘Herbages’ partnership) |
| Implementation level of the practice | Level: National
Country: Belgium Region: Southern Belgium regions, Natura 2000 sites |
| Website | https://www.botanicgardenmeise.be?utm_source=chatgpt.com |
| Detailed information on the practice | Problem: severe decline of semi-natural grasslands and associated flora. Practic e: population reinforcements and reintroductions of four species via a four-step approach (species profiling, seed sourcing, propagation protocols, and plant fitness assessment). Stakeholders: Botanic Garden Meise, Natagora, Walloon Directorate, local farmers, and small companies. Beneficiaries: biodiversity, local economy, conservation networks. |
| Timeframe | LIFE project ‘Herbages’ 2013–2019; reintroduction program ongoing with 10 years of monitoring. |
| Approximate cost | Not specified |
| Results achieved | Over 9,000 plants reintroduced across 17 populations; >90% survival rate; >30% flowering rate within months; evidence of seedlings and clonal propagation. |
| Potential for learning or transfer | Demonstrates that systematic, multisource reintroductions and propagation protocols enhance long-term conservation success; transferable to other regions with fragmented habitats. |
| Additional material | |
| Contact person | Name: Dr. Sandrine Godefroid
Affiliation: Botanic Garden Meise Email: sandrine.godefroid@botanicgardenmeise.be |
