A noteworthy case of rewilding Chinese yew from a garden population in eastern China

Study area

The research area was located in the Nanjing Botanical Garden Memorial Sun Yat-Sen (hereafter, NBG; 31°14′∼32°37′N, 118°22′∼119°14′E; 30∼60 m a.s.l) and the parts of neighboring Purple Mountain, eastern China (Liao et al., 2014). The botanical garden covers 186 ha, including 100 ha natural vegetation reserves which are connected with the forest vegetation of the Purple Mountain. The area belongs to the north subtropical monsoon climate. The annual average precipitation is 1000.4 mm, the annual average temperature is 14.7 °C, and the annual frost-free period is 237 days (Li et al., 2014a). The main topography is a hillside, and the soil type is dominated by yellow-brown soil within the forest.

According to our field survey, the parent trees of Chinese yew grow at the Pinetum of NBG, and all of them are on flat ground. Li, He & Sheng (1999) noticed a regenerating population with 461 Chinese yews which occurred in Quercus acutissima or Pterocarya stenoptera community at NBG, eastern China. Liao et al. (2014) reported that the yew population increased to more than 700 individuals in the secondary forests which were located at NBG and on mountainous slope of the Purple Mountain. Zhang, Li & Hou (2018) found that most of the progeny yews (> 800 individuals) grew better under a single neighboring tree (height ≥ 10 m) than under two, three or zero neighboring trees.

These progeny yews have successfully disseminated into different secondary forests of the nearby hillside, thus forming a regenerating population therein (Zhang, Li & Hou, 2018). There is a creek east of the parent yews, near which there are divergent paths (Fig. 2). These forests are not far away from the parent yews. They can be divided into two forest types: deciduous broadleaved forest (DB) and coniferous-broadleaved mixed forest (CB) at NBG. The dominant tree species in DB are Quercus variabilis, Pterocarya stenoptera, Liquidambar formosana, and Cryptomeria japonica var. sinensis while in CB are Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, and Cephalotaxus fortunei.

In addition, due to diverse habitat and various vegetation, more than 70 species of forest birds are found in this area (Zhang et al., 2018).

Field sampling

Field work was approved verbally by Mr. Yuning Xiong at NBG. In June of 2020, we conducted a field survey on Chinese yew cultivated (parent yews) in the botanical garden and their regenerating populations (progeny yews). No wild Chinese yew populations exist in Jiangsu Province (Liu, 2015). However, in the 1950s, eleven seedlings of Chinese yews were introduced to the Pinetum at NBG from Lushan Botanical Garden in Jiangxi Province. Eight adult Chinese yews survived and were planted in the garden intensively (Li et al., 2014a). The sex of each parent trees was recorded, and their DBH (diameter at 1.3 m above the ground), tree height and first branch height were measured using a caliper, tape meter, or contracting-height-meter as needed and following standard field procedures (Li & Zhang, 2015).

The deciduous broadleaved forest on a mountain slope is located in the east of the parent yews. A small creek runs through the DB forest. In the west of parent yews is the coniferous-broadleaved mixed forest, which is separated from its parent trees by a path (Fig. 2). We recorded each progeny yew’s number, DBH, height, first branch height, and regenerating mode (true seedling vs sprouting) in both forests by applying two approaches. First, we set three contiguous belt transects in each forest type. The transects were marked as A, B, and C; they were arranged from near to far by the distance from the parent yews in deciduous broadleaved forest (25 plots) and coniferous-broadleaved mixed forest (16 plots) respectively (Fig. 2). The plot size was 20 m × 20 m in all transects. Second, we found and recorded the same items for every yew outside the plots but within each forest type. Finally, we also measured the distribution areas of progeny yews in each forest type by using a GPS Tool Box (https://sourceforge.net/projects/gpstoolbox/).

In addition, the plantlets of progeny Chinese yew were classified into two categories: true seedlings from seed-origin and sprouts from adventitious/dormant buds on lateral roots, root collar, stubs, or drooping branches, identified by removing the litter and excavating underground root system (Fig. 3). Individual yew with own root system in the plot was also considered to be seed-orientated (Ky-Dembele et al., 2007; Shang et al., 2020).

Data processing

Individual growth status of Chinese yew was described by DBH, height, and first branch height. Live crown ratio (LCR) was used to report the shade tolerance of Chinese yews. Furthermore, LCR was calculated as follows: LCR = ([tree height - first branch height]/tree height). For convenience, we used the height of a tree minus the first branch height to represent tree crown vertical length (Zhang, Li & Hou, 2018).

Diameter structure of progeny yew population was divided according to the actual measured DBH and combined with its life history characteristics (Li et al., 2014a; Liang & Wei, 2020):

I, DBH < 2.5 cm (seedlings);

II, 2.5 cm ≤ DBH < 5 cm (saplings);

III, 5 cm ≤ DBH < 7.5 cm;

IV, 7.5 cm ≤ DBH < 10 cm;

V, 10 cm ≤ DBH;

Likewise, these progeny yews were also divided into five categories in terms of tree height (Huang, Li & Su, 2000; Ahmadi et al., 2020):

I, H < 2 m;

II, 2 m ≤ H < 4 m;

III, 4 m ≤ H < 6 m;

IV, 6 m ≤ H < 8 m;

V, 8 m ≤ H.

We applied the two-sample t test to compare the differences in mean DBH, tree height, and first branch height of the Chinese yews between the CB forest and DB forest. We also used one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the number, DBH, and height growth of Chinese yew among the three different belt transects in each forest type (Xue, 2011). Basic data processing and analysis were performed in MS-Excel 2016 and SPSS v22 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA).

What factors contribute to spreading and rewilding of progeny yew populations?

In this study, we report a noteworthy case of endangered species, i.e., the Chinese yews (Taxus wallichiana var. mairei). The seeds of parent yews at NBG, eastern China can be dispersed to the secondary forests nearby, then they germinate and grow therein, thus unexpectedly developing a rewilding population (Table 2).

The Chinese yew usually grows in damp valleys, hillsides, and open slopes in China (Fu, Li & Mill, 1999; Ru et al., 2006). As a shade-tolerant tree species, it occurs in the wild in coniferous forests, evergreen broad-leaved forests, and conifer-broadleaved mixed forests. Most dominant tree species in these forests—such as Liquidambar formosana, Fagus longipetiolata, Castanopsis sclerophylla, Quercus glauca—may serve as nurse plants, being able to provide suitable environment for yews to survive and grow in (Ma & Zhang, 2009; Zhang, Li & Hou, 2018). In the current study, both sampled forest stands (CB and DB) are now more than 70 years old. Most of these tree species thus have a DBH > 40 cm. These forests are located on low mountain slope, with good drainage and little human interference, and their soils are deep and contain rich organic matter (Li et al., 2014a). Accordingly, all these features should create favorable conditions for progeny yews to establish and grow. This is the first leading factor for regenerating population arising from parent yews nearby.

The eight parent yews at the Pinetum of NBG have DBH > 30 cm, on average, with tree heights of > 10 m (Table 1), and their tree age is just 65 years old. By contrast, wild yews can attain a DBH > 100 cm, with the corresponding ages between 1000 and 1600 years old (Nan et al., 2009). Because of their slow woody growth, Chinese yews need to take more than 35 years to start bearing seeds themselves (Ru et al., 2006). At present, the three yews grow vigorously, and they presumably have produced seeds yearly since the 1990s (Zhang, Li & Hou, 2018). As a result, in theory they are able to produce considerable seeds yearly. In addition, the Pinetum is not too far away from the sampled forests (at < 400 m) (Table 2). Therefore, the vigorously reproductive yews should be able to offer abundant seeds every year for dispersal.

Animal-mediated seed dispersal is the second key factor to consider. Birds consume and spread the seeds of the yews at NBG, which have a fleshy aril, are sticky, sweet, and nutritious (Liu et al., 2012). The yews’ arils turn red in ripe seeds. Generally, red is the most striking color that foraging birds notice (Gagetti, Piratelli & Piña Rodrigues, 2016). Lu, Zhu & Deng (2008) found that six bird species (Urocissa erythrorhyncha, Cyanopica cyana, Pycnonotus sinensis, Zoothera dauma, Turdus naumanni and Turdus hortulorum) ingesting their seeds at Chinese yews’ tree, and demonstrated that frugivorous birds play a significant role in establishing of regenerating population of this yew in ex situ conservation. There is a wide range of secondary forests and various birds found at the Purple Mountain, with previous studies showing that U. erythrorhyncha and P. sinensis are the major vectors to forage and spread ripe seeds of Chinese yews at the NBG (Lu, Zhu & Deng, 2008; Zhang, Li & Hou, 2018). Moreover, compared with Pycnonotus sinensis, Urocissa erythrorhyncha is more active. When they forage for seeds, they may fly to forests 300–400 m away from the parent yews (Deng, Chen & Lu, 2010). In addition, a creek bisects the sampled DB forest (Fig. 2), which also may influence bird movements. The two forest birds often fly, forage, perch in a small flock (especially having three to five), and they like to live near water sources such as a creek, or river. Hence, we posit that this plant-animal interaction may result in more progeny yews in DB forest than in CB forest.

More recently, Li et al. (2020) considered that rodents played a significant role in seed removal of Chinese yews in Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang Province. Moreover, the scatter-hoarding and re-caching by rodents can promote long-distance seed dispersal (Wang et al., 2019). It is reported that the rodents in the Purple Mountain can forage the nuts of three species of Quercus (Liu et al., 2016). Thereby, we speculate that the rodents in this area may also feed on the seeds of Chinese yew, thus possibly contributing to seed dispersal and seedling establishment.

Therefore, the establishment of the yew population, with > 900 individuals among 7 ha (Table 2), can be ascribed to two key factors. Yew seeds are foraged and transported by birds, and secondary forest near the parent yews provides suitable habitat for the progeny yews to germinate and grow in.

Implication for ex situ conservation and mangement

In the past three decades, Chinese yews via ex situ conservation have spread into different secondary forests at the NBG and nearby Purple Mountain, developing an expanding population and increasing in size and distribution (Zhang, Li & Hou, 2018). Although currently these yews have not yet born seeds themselves according to our field survey, we predict the regenerating population to blossom and yield seeds in 2025. Therefore, the progeny yews could be considered as a self-sustaining and rewilding population in the near future.

All of the seven wild species of Taxus including Chinese yew have been decreed first-class national protected plants since 1999 (Yu, 1999). However, there is no wild Chinese yew in Jiangsu Province (including Purple Mountain) (Fig. 1). In this study, we documented its population size, distribution area, regeneration mode and population structure of the rewilding population in detail. These results not only can provide important basic data for future protection and management of Chinese yew, but also provide a pathway for conserving other endangered species from Taxus in China. By virtue of the interaction between an introduced plant and local animals in the locality of ex situ conservation, its propagules (such as seeds or fruits) may be dispersed into nearby suitable habitats to form a new regenerating population, which can be a beneficial supplement to ex situ conservation.

At the same time, despite the lack of actual evidence of impact on local diversity, we think that the expansion of this rewilding population is likely to affect the species diversity of secondary forests in the Purple Mountain, Nanjing.

(1) To influence regeneration of understory seedlings in secondary forests

As a shade-tolerant tree species, the seedlings of progeny yew will benefit from the deep and fertile soil under secondary forest, which is conducive to their growth (Xu, 2015). At present, the seedling and sapling yews in DB and CB forest is both more than 300 individuals (Table 3). This will have a serious effect on species, abundance, regeneration mode and growth performance of understory seedlings.

(2) To influence progressive succession of secondary forests

Chinese yew is an evergreen tree species. Now the biggest yew is 8.7 m high and 17.9 cm in DBH in the plots (Table 2). On the one hand, they may require more environmental resources (i.e., light, water and space, etc.) when they continue to grow, thus making strong intraspecific competition among these yews. On the other hand, these yews may suffer from intensive interspecific competition from their associated tree species with the increase in tree diameter. Inevitably, these competitions will further affect the progressive succession of current secondary forests.

(3) To influence local fruit-consuming birds and native plants

At present, there are more than 70 species of birds in the Purple Mountain, and six of them are found to feed on Chinese yews’ seeds (Lu, Zhu & Deng, 2008; Zhang, Li & Hou, 2018). Of them, Urocissa erythrorhyncha and Pycnonotus sinensis, are the two most common forest birds which are able to swallow yew seeds with arils (Li et al., 2014a; Li et al., 2014b). Actually, besides yews they also forage and consume the fruits or seeds of other species like Cinnamomum camphora, Morus alba, Broussonetia papyrifera, and so on (Li & Yin, 2004; Lu & Lu, 2019). If the progeny yews begin to bear seeds, whose aril are sweet, red and nutritious, thus making them attract these birds. Not surprisingly, the seeds (with arils) of Chinese yews can attract more birds than local or native plant species, which may probably cause apparent competition. If so, it will affect the propagation, distribution and growth of native plants in the long run.

To date, no management actions have been performed regarding the offspring populations of Chinese yews in the region. Therefore, based on our document in this case, we highly recommend that (1) attention should be paid to the growth and spread of this rewilding population; (2) such population should be included in the Botanical Garden’s management objectives of cultivated plants, and should simultaneously be incorporated in protection system of secondary forests in Purple Mountain as soon as possible.