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Achievements | The Radiant Cyathea Sings the Earth Song
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Background

Let's go back to ancient times. Three hundred fifty million to three hundred million years ago, the Earth was mostly covered by forests and an abundance of ferns, the so-called "living fossils." The Cyathea lepifera, or the "brush pot tree," is one of the living fossils that has survived ancient times and still exists today. Known as the king of ferns, this fern is one of the most protected wild plants in many countries.

Taiwan is blessed with a unique geographical environment, and Cyathea lepifera can be found in many places. However, various factors have threatened the survival of Taiwan's brush pot trees, with a large number withering and dying. To rescue these oldest and most precious ferns on Earth, the Wistron Foundation and the Taiwan Society of Plant Systematics launched the Little Noah's Ark of Brush Pot Trees project in 2011 and have since worked together for three consecutive years.

Disease, pests, and environmental degradation are possible causes of the massive number of brush pot trees dying, all of which are factors that must be further investigated. However, with the current extinction rate, we are afraid that the brush pot trees will die out before researchers can find the exact cause of extinction, and we may lose this precious plant in this generation. The Little Noah's Ark conservation and restoration project was launched in hopes of investing more in setting up the last line of defense against the gradual extinction of Taiwan's brush pot tree, preventing this fern from disappearing in this century.

The Foundation established a partnership with the Taiwan Society of Plant Systematics to preserve the Cyathea lepifera species and initiate environmental education on the brush pot tree, further promoting knowledge and assisting in restoration. There are 26 collection spots in Taiwan, located in 12 counties and cities, to encourage the installation of restoration plant containers in schools.

The restoration plant containers or brush pot trees are shaped like a miniature version of Noah's ark, and the containers have become another form of the seeding restoration site in schools. Many brush pot trees in the wild are suddenly in danger of dying out before researchers can find the cause of extinction. In that case, we can return the plants planted in the restoration containers in each region to their original habitat by using the seed source locations and GPS locations recorded on the restoration boxes, thereby achieving the goal of rehabilitation, conservation, and education of the Cyathea lepifera.

To preserve biodiversity, we are willing to put in great efforts. Each "Little Noah's Ark" carries our gratitude to the Earth, and we thank all living beings for their contributions to Earth's evolution. Let the brush pot tree continue to grow in Taiwan. Feel the breeze through the forest. Can you hear the wind rustling the leaves of Cyathea lepifera? That is Earth's song of life, beautiful to our ears.

Outcome

2013We continued to collect spores from the brush pot trees, conducted seed conservation, and organized a survey of the brush pot trees throughout Taiwan. We also held a teacher workshop where 80 teachers participated.

2012Twenty-six collection spots in Taiwan have been set up, located in 12 counties and cities. We continued to collect brush pot tree spores from various locations in Taiwan and the outlying islands, conduct conservation, organize surveys, and initiate brush pot tree-related environmental education and educational training.

2011We launched the Little Noah's Ark of Brush Pot Trees project.

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