Preserving Threatened Plants: A Commitment of the MNHNL

Section(s): Plant Population Biology, Botany

Responsible staff: Tania Walisch, Laura Daco, Guy Colling

Research strategy: Understanding and Preserving Nature, Society and Natural History

The new Red List of the plants of Luxembourg reveals an alarming situation: more than 104 plant species have disappeared, representing around 9% of the native flora.

In response to this crisis, the MNHNL is strengthening its commitment to conserving the most threatened plant species. Its priorities include:

• monitoring endangered populations

• developing scientific methods in conservation biology and genetics for threatened plant species

• sharing knowledge and supporting field practitioners through reliable data

• networking conservation stakeholders

In 2025, a participatory monitoring programme for endangered species was launched with the help of the Museum’s scientific collaborators. To better understand their trends and risk factors, counts are carried out to compare current and past population sizes.

For the most endangered species, concrete action plans are developed in collaboration with partners such as the ANF, SICONA and the nature parks. Scientific support is provided, where necessary, for reintroduction actions.

Finally, coordination meetings will bring together all stakeholders involved in safeguarding Luxembourg’s flora.

Recent publications :

Schneider, S., F. Breit, T. Frankenberg, T. Walisch & L. Daco, 2024. Overview of plant species translocations in Luxembourg. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 126: 147-183.

Godefroid, S., Lacquaye, S., Ensslin, A., Dalrymple, S., Abeli, T., Branwood, H., ..., L. Daco, …, T. Walisch, …& White, F. J. (2025). Current state of plant conservation translocations across Europe: motivations, challenges and outcomes. Biodiversity and Conservation, 1-24