Quercus tomentella (Island Oak)
Credit: Alayna Mead
about the species
Island oak (Quercus tomentella) is a rare relictual island tree species that exists only on six islands off the coast of California and Mexico, but was once widespread throughout mainland California. Currently, this species is endangered by threats such as non-native plants, grazing animals, and human removal. Efforts for conservation and restoration of island oak currently underway could benefit from information about its range-wide genetic structure and evolutionary.
why species was selected
Island oak (Quercus tomentella) was selected because it is restricted to the Channel Islands with over 4 million years of separation and it is of conservation concern especially on Santa Rosa Island where it was almost completely eradicated. The Nature Conservancy is interested in using conservation genomic tools to guide the restoration of this species.
