The European yew tree, Taxus baccata, has been exploited for many years and has become quite rare in the wild state. In the early 1990’s, this exploitation increased dramatically when it was discovered that taxol (which is extracted from the bark) has cancer-curing properties. Commercial exploitation of yew trees for their pharmaceutical value started in America with the Pacific yew Taxus breviafolia, prompting widespread conservation and plantation projects. Nowadays taxol is produced synthetically, but there is still considerable value in being able to extract and analyse wild taxol.

The Alta Garrotxa supports some of the most intact stands of yew forest in Catalonia in an area called Misaclos, where the Pedrera stream flows into the Carerra. In 2000, the Environmental Department of the Generalitat di Catalonia, together with Girona University, conducted a preliminary study of the forest structure, ecology and composition in order to establish how best to conserve the biodiversity of this important ecosytem. The study revealed (i) that pine trees are the pioneer species, providing shelter for yew seedlings to take root, (ii) that, unlike other yew forests in the Iberian peninsula, the Misaclos yews are regenerating well, but (iii) some trees have died from an as-yet-unknown disease.

Project Aim:

To collect the information necessary to produce a management plan (and associated public education materials) that will help conserve the Miseclos Yew Forests of the Alta Garrotxa National Reserve.

Project activities:

1. Map the distribution of the Taxus baccata yew species and the ecological health of the Miseclos yew forest.
2. Analyse the phytopathological (disease) reasons for the death of some yew trees in the Miseclos forests.
3. Record the germination rate of Taxus baccata seeds planted in-situ (in the forest) and in ex-situ (in the lab) in the summer of 2000.
4. Quantify the radial and longitudinal growth of yew saplings treated with two experimental treatments.
5. Produce appropriate educational materials for ATG clients and local people.

Project completed 2005