Nothofagus alessandrii leaf in Los Ruiles National Reserve, Chile

Nothofagus alessandrii is a member of the Nothofagaceae family, which are commonly known as the southern beeches. It grows in Chile, and is one of the most threatened plant species in continental Chile, growing in coastal areas and mountains. The tree typically grows to a height of up to 30m, with a straight, grey trunk and green flowers. There are 15 known locations of N. alessandrii, one of which was greatly affected by forest fires in 2017. Its habitat is also being lost to agriculture, with the species now occurring in small populations in fragmented areas, which can limit pollination and lead to inbreeding, reducing the reproductive output of the species. One project aims to establish conservation collections—such as seed storage and living collections—along with reinforcement planting in selected wild populations to bolster the species’ health.