Re: Monterey Pine

Moira:

Of course, you would know better than I, but I believe I read somewhere that
something on the order of 80% of New Zealand's indigenous flora is endemic,
that is, found nowhere else on earth.  I don't know if there is something like
a "New Zealand Native Plant Society," but there certainly ought to be!
Islands are particularly vulnerable to human-caused extinctions of all forms
of life.  In the U.S., California (with its complicated geology and great
geographic/climatic diversity) is second only to Hawaii in the number of
officially recognized endangered species.  In many cases, the exact number of
individuals of a species is known.  Unfortunately, when the number of
individuals of a species reaches a certain level (say, 20), the genetic
diversity of that species approaches zero.  This is what has happened with a
number of well-known species, some in the prehistoric past (Cheetah, Torrey
Pine), and some in recent history (Northern Elephant Seal, California Condor).
This lack of genetic diversity leaves a species extremely vulnerable to any
change in its environment.  By the way, I've greatly enjoyed reading your
postings (and Tony's) from the southern hemisphere, and I wish you and all our
medit-plant friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Hoping tomorrow is
warmer after several "hard freeze" days here in northern California,

Yours truly,
Kurt Mize
Stockton, California
USDA Zone 9
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