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Shoots of hope for Britain's cherished ash trees Shoots of hope for Britain's cherished ash trees
(about 13 hours later)
Ash dieback is a disease of ash trees, caused by a fungusAsh dieback is a disease of ash trees, caused by a fungus
Ash trees are fighting back against a disease that has ravaged the British countryside, new scientific evidence shows.Ash trees are fighting back against a disease that has ravaged the British countryside, new scientific evidence shows.
When ash dieback arrived in 2012, predictions suggested up to 85% of ash trees could be lost. When ash dieback arrived in 2012, it was predicted up to 85% of ash trees could be lost. It spread to every corner of the British Isles, causing widespread damage to woodlands.
But now scientists have discovered that ash woodlands are naturally evolving greater resistance to the infection. But now scientists have discovered that ash woodlands are naturally evolving greater resistance to the fungal infection.
The discovery offers renewed hope that the much-loved trees will survive in the British landscape. The discovery offers fresh hope that the much-loved trees will remain part of the British landscape - but a hope "borne out of the death of a lot of trees", said Prof Richard Buggs, of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Queen Mary University of London.
Ash dieback has spread rapidly in BritainAsh dieback has spread rapidly in Britain
"It is hope born out of the death of a lot of trees," said Prof Richard Buggs of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and Queen Mary University of London. He added that other interventions would be needed to give ash trees a helping hand, such as protecting trees from grazing deer and breeding the most resilient trees for future planting schemes.
But he said other interventions would be needed to give ash trees a helping hand, such as protecting trees from grazing deer and breeding the most resilient trees for future planting schemes. "We have fresh motivation to look after our ash populations, to protect them from other problems like deer browsing, and to let nature take its course and evolve trees with more resistance," Prof Buggs told BBC News.
"We have fresh motivation to look after our ash populations, to protect them from other problems like deer browsing, and to let nature take its course and evolve trees with more resistance," he told BBC News. The ash dieback fungus originated in Asia and was introduced to Europe about 30 years ago.
The Ash dieback fungus originated in Asia and was introduced to Europe about 30 years ago. Signs of the disease can be seen through withered and blighted leaves. In many cases, the fungal disease will eventually kill the tree.
The study of ash trees at a woodland in Surrey revealed subtle shifts over time in different genes, which should help new saplings fight back against it. A study of ash trees at a woodland in Surrey revealed subtle shifts in different genes over time, which should help new saplings fight it - suggesting they were evolving greater resistance to the disease than their predecessors.
The trees are evolving greater resistance to the disease than their predecessors - an example of Charles Darwin's natural selection theory in action. Richard Nichols, professor of evolutionary genetics at Queen Mary University of London, said a "tragedy for the trees has been a revelation for scientists - allowing us to show that thousands of genes are contributing to the ash trees' fightback against the fungus".
Richard Nichols, professor of evolutionary genetics at Queen Mary University of London, said a "tragedy for the trees has been a revelation for scientists: allowing us to show that thousands of genes are contributing to the ash trees' fightback against the fungus".
The study was carried out in Marden Park wood in SurreyThe study was carried out in Marden Park wood in Surrey
Ash dieback demonstrates how devastating introduced pathogens can be for our trees and the species which rely upon them, said Rebecca Gosling of the Woodland Trust. Ash dieback demonstrates how devastating introduced pathogens can be for our trees and the species which rely upon them, according to Rebecca Gosling of the Woodland Trust.
"The findings highlight how vital it is to support natural regeneration in woodlands, furthering our understanding of how to best manage our ash woodlands," she said."The findings highlight how vital it is to support natural regeneration in woodlands, furthering our understanding of how to best manage our ash woodlands," she said.
Scientists had feared the ash would go the way of the elm, which has been almost wiped out by Dutch elm disease.Scientists had feared the ash would go the way of the elm, which has been almost wiped out by Dutch elm disease.
The loss of the native tree would have a devastating effect on biodiversity as well as changing the face of the landscape. The loss of the native tree would have also had a devastating effect on biodiversity.
More than 1,000 species are associated with ash or ash woodland, including birds, mammals and invertebrates The research is published in the journal Science.
Since its arrival in Britain in 2012, ash dieback has spread to every corner of the British Isles, causing widespread damage to woodlands.
Ash fungus genetic code unravelledAsh fungus genetic code unravelled
Alarm call as world's trees slide towards extinctionAlarm call as world's trees slide towards extinction
Ash tree set for extinction in EuropeAsh tree set for extinction in Europe
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Signs of the disease can be seen through withered and blighted leaves.
In many cases the fungal disease will eventually kill the tree.
The research is published in the journal, Science.