Journal of Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Volume 7 • Number 2 • July 2010

From policy to action: the Global Strategy for Conservation – a conservation success story Volume 7 • Number 2 EDITORIAL SARA OLDFIELD 02

EDITORS

03 14 Suzanne Sharrock Sara Oldfield Director of Global Secretary General Programmes BOTANIC GARDENS AND EX SITU PLANT THEIR RESPONSE TO THE CONSERVATION: A KEY ROLE GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR OF CHINESE BOTANIC

Cover Photo : Collecting seeds from a rare in PLANT CONSERVATION GARDENS IN IMPLEMENTING Yunnan province, China (Jonas Mueller) SOPHIE WILLIAMS & CHINA’S STRATEGY FOR

Design : John Morgan, Seascape SUZANNE SHARROCK PLANT CONSERVATION E-mail: [email protected] HONGWEN HUANG

BGjournal is published by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) . It is published twice a year and is sent to all BGCI members. Membership is open to all interested individuals, institutions and organisations that support the aims of BGCI (see inside back cover for Membership application form).

Further details available from:

• Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3BW UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5953, Fax: +44 (0)20 8332 5956 E-mail: [email protected], www.bgci.org • BGCI-Russia, c/o Main Botanical Gardens, Botanicheskaya st., 4, Moscow 127276, Russia. Tel: +7 (095) 219 6160 / 5377, Fax: +7 (095) 218 0525, 20 E-mail: [email protected], www.bgci.ru • BGCI-, c/o Delft University of Technology Julianalaan 67, NL-2628 BC Delft, Netherlands THE ROLE OF MEXICAN Tel: +31 15 278 4714 Fax: +31 15 278 2355 BOTANIC GARDENS IN THE E-mail: [email protected] www.botanischetuin.tudelft.nl IMPLEMENTATION OF THE • BGCI-Canarias, c/o Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo, GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR Apartado de Correos 14, Tafira Alta 35017, 08 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Spain. PLANT CONSERVATION Tel: +34 928 21 95 80/82/83, Fax: +34 928 21 95 81, E-mail: [email protected] CONTRIBUTIONS OF RIO DE TERESA CABRERA CACHÓN • BGCI-China, 723 Xingke Rd., Guangzhou 510650 China. JANEIRO BOTANIC GARDEN TO Tel:(86)20-37252692. email: [email protected] www.bgci.org/china BRAZIL’S NATIONAL GSPC • BGCI-South East Asia, c/o Registry, Singapore Botanic MAINSTREAMING PROCESS Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569. • BGCI-Colombia, c/o Jardín Botánico de Bogotá, GUSTAVO MARTINELLI Jose Celestino Mutis, Av. No. 61-13 – A.A. 59887, Santa Fe de Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. Tel: +57 630 0949, Fax: +57 630 5075, E-mail: [email protected], www.humboldt.org.co/jardinesdecolombia/html/la_red.htm • BGCI-Deutschland, c/o Botanische Gärten der Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 171, 53115 Bonn, Germany. Tel: +49 2 2873 9055, Fax: +49 2 28731690, E-mail: [email protected] • BGCI(US) Inc, c/o Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois 60022, USA. E-mail: [email protected], www.bgci.org/usa

BGCI is a worldwide membership organisation established in 24 1987. Its mission is to mobilise botanic gardens and engage partners in securing plant diversity for the well-being of people and the planet . BGCI is an independent organisation MEASURING BOTANIC registered in the United Kingdom as a charity (Charity Reg No GARDENS CONTRIBUTIONS TO 1098834) and a company limited by guarantee, No 4673175. PLANT CONSERVATION AND BGCI is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation in the 11 USA and is a registered non-profit organisation in Russia. EDUCATION IN THE UNITED Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily ENSCONET WORKING STATES ANDREA KRAMER reflect the views of the Boards or staff of BGCI or of its TOGETHER TOWARDS GSPC members TARGET 8 RUTH J EASTWOOD & RESOURCES 29 JONAS V MÜLLER

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 01 EDITORIAL: THE GSPC – A CONSERVATION SUCCESS STORY

NGOs have aligned themselves with the Botanic gardens are vitally important Targets. Ultimately implementation of the agencies for plant conservation GSPC is the responsibility of the 188 worldwide, making major contributions Governments that have ratified the CBD. to the GSPC as highlighted in this issue. An increasing number of countries have The 4th Global Botanic Gardens developed specific responses to the Congress to be held in Dublin in June GSPC – significantly raising the agenda will be an excellent opportunity to renew for . The paper by Gustavo our collective commitment to plant Martinelli in this issue highlights how conservation for the next decade. a new National Centre for Plant We will discuss a revised version of the Conservation in Brazil is addressing key International Agenda for Botanic targets of the GSPC. But in Brazil, as Gardens in Conservation and how this elsewhere in the world, the conservation relates to broader initiatives of plant of plant diversity remains a somewhat conservation in a time of rapid global marginal issue and strengthened dialogue change. between scientists and policy makers about the urgency for action remains Despite all our work, huge challenges a priority. remain in raising the profile of the importance of plant diversity and the BGCI continues to support the need to generate financial resources to implementation of the GSPC by seconding prevent extinction on an unprecedented n this International Year of , a member of staff, Stella Simiyu, to the scale. BGCI is launching a new the challenges of global plant CBD Secretariat to act as GSPC international Plants for the Planet Iconservation remain immense. Programme Officer. We act as the Campaign, calling on individuals The threats to plant diversity continue to Secretariat for the Global Partnership for worldwide to sign up to support the rise whilst the financial resources and Plant Conservation, mandated by the CBD GSPC. We aim to remind policy makers skills available to tackle the problems are to coordinate and promote implementation that plant conservation is important in decreasing. In this issue of BGjournal we of the Strategy at an international level and every country of the world - please add focus on the Global Strategy for Plant we have been closely involved in revision your commitment to the Campaign at Conservation (GSPC) of the CBD. What of the GSPC to take into account the www.plantsfortheplanet.com. has it achieved over the past eight years impacts of rapid global change. The GSPC and what can we expect for its informs our own work programmes with Thank you development and implementation in the BGCI being directly involved in future? implementation of Targets 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15 and 16. At a global level, we remain The greatest value of the GSPC has the lead facilitating organisation for Target been to provide a well thought-out 8 relating to ex situ conservation and framework for plant conservation action restoration and I look forward to the at global to local levels. With a clearly publication of our major report on GSPC articulated rationale and measurable Target 8 in time for the 10th Conference of Sara Oldfield targets, the Strategy was ground- the Parties to the CBD in Nagoya in Secretary General, BGCI breaking when it was agreed in 2002. October this year. We also remain lead Anyone and everyone can support the facilitating agency for Target 14 relating to Strategy and it is truly remarkable the education and public awareness –another extent to which plant conservation target of great relevance to botanic agencies including botanic gardens and gardens.

02 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) • 02 Authors: Sophie Williams and Suzanne Sharrock

BOTANIC GARDENS AND THEIR RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR PLANT CONSERVATION

The GSPC has provided a framework for conservation action by botanic gardens from global to local level.

Introduction and at different levels and there is no doubt that their actions, individually and t is generally recognised that botanic collectively, at local, national and gardens, coordinated and supported international levels have contributed to Iby BGCI, played a significant role in the achievement of many of the targets. the development of the Global Strategy This paper looks not only at the role for Plant Conservation (GSPC) and its botanic gardens have played in the ultimate adoption by the Parties to the implementation of the GSPC, but also Preparing samples in Ecuador Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) investigates the impact the GSPC itself (Missouri ) in 2002. Since then the GSPC has has had on the activities of botanic provided a framework for action and gardens, drawing on the results of a the achievement of the 16 targets of the stimulated new initiatives for botanic global survey carried out recently by a GSPC. However, in order for this gardens, enabling an internationally PhD student from Bangor University, contribution to be more explicit, efforts coordinated approach to plant Wales, coordinated by BGCI. were made to link the International conservation (Wyse Jackson and Agenda directly to the GSPC and BGCI Kennedy, 2009). It has also informed The global response to the GSPC developed a series of global botanic and influenced the work of BGCI and is garden targets closely aligned with the a major focus of BGCI’s outreach and A shared rationale and framework for the GSPC targets (Wyse Jackson, 2004). communications with its membership. global conservation work of botanic The International Agenda targets were It is clear that botanic gardens have gardens has existed since well before adopted by botanic gardens in 2004 as a responded to the GSPC in various ways the adoption of the GSPC, with BGCI mechanism to monitor the global botanic publishing the Botanic Gardens garden contribution to the GSPC. These Conservation Strategy in 1989. This was targets subsequently also provided followed in 2000 by the International guidance for the development of national Agenda for Botanic Gardens in and regional targets for botanic garden Conservation , which aimed to address networks, for example in Mexico (see the need for botanic gardens to become p 20-23) and in the North American active participants in the implementation region (Galbraith and Kennedy, 2006). of the CBD and to contribute to sustainable development programmes Botanic garden networks and nationally and internationally. In 2003 an the GSPC International Agenda registration system was introduced, allowing botanic Botanic garden networks exist at gardens to formally ‘register’ their national and regional levels worldwide commitment to plant conservation. Over (see www.bgci.org/global/networks/). 450 gardens from 83 countries have For many of these networks, the GSPC made such a commitment. Through and the associated International Agenda Juttadinteria albata : propagation from cuttings in implementation of the International targets proved to provide an ideal Namibia (H. Kolberg) Agenda botanic gardens contribute to framework for the development of

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) • 03-07 03 national and regional botanic garden measurable targets, botanic gardens in with the GSPC, and the influence it has strategies and action plans. Examples Canada, the United States and Mexico had on their programmes is less well from Brazil and Mexico are provided in would be able to contribute significantly understood. For this reason, BGCI, this issue (see p 8 and 20). While some to the ultimate goal of halting the loss of together with Bangor University and networks address all 16 targets of the plant diversity. RBG Kew, recently carried out a GSPC GSPC, others focus on specific targets, survey of botanic gardens. particularly Target 8. In the UK for This North America Strategy example, PlantNetwork (the Plant Surveying botanic gardens Collections Network of the UK and “will help to further progress Ireland) adopted a plan with eight targets toward the goal of providing a The survey was developed as part of a aimed at the conservation of all the PhD research project focusing upon the endangered plants in Britain and Ireland richer, more diverse world, one role of botanic gardens in plant by 2010 (Jebb, 2005). The plan focuses with greater resilience and more conservation. The aim of the survey was on linking ex situ with i n situ to collect information on botanic garden conservation and includes strong beauty than could be achieved in activities that contribute to the GSPC, elements of protocol development, with two specific objectives in mind: any other way. Peter Raven. public awareness, education and partnership development, thus ” • To investigate the degree of influence addressing GSPC Targets 3, 7 14, 15 The GSPC and individual the GSPC has had upon individual and 16 as well as Target 8. botanic gardens botanic garden activities; • To assess what activities botanic At the individual level, many botanic gardens are currently undertaking that gardens have embraced the GSPC and contribute to each of the GSPC targets. in some cases specific targets have been mainstreamed within their Over the past 10 years, BGCI has widely programmes. The in-depth review of the promoted the GSPC to its members and GSPC carried out by the CDB has supported many GSPC-related Secretariat in 2007-8, noted the success activities amongst its global membership. of the GSPC in allowing botanic gardens The leadership role of BGCI in relation to to engage in the work of the CBD the GSPC has been recognised by the (Secretariat of the Convention on CBD and has been reported elsewhere Biological Diversity, 2009) and gardens (Leadley, 2005; Secretariat of the such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Convention on Biological Diversity, 2009). and the Missouri Botanical Garden have A further aim of the survey therefore, was produced publications highlighting their to assess the extent to which BGCI’s contributions to the GSPC. However the promotion of the GSPC has been Examining plants at the National Botanic Garden extent to which the large number of reflected in action on the ground by its of Wales smaller and less well-resourced botanic membership and to identify areas for gardens around the world have engaged greater focus in the future. At the regional level, the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Plant Conservation published in 2006 Box 1: Conserving in situ – attempted to harmonise the GSPC, botanic gardens contributing to GSPC Target 7 International Agenda and the Plant Conservation Alliance’s National Westonbirt in the United As part of the international movement Framework for Progress . The North Kingdom is well known for its world for the conservation of threatened American Strategy brought together for class collection of exotic and plants, the staff of the Albury Botanic the first time the American Public shrubs, many of which are rare or Gardens in New South Wales, Garden Association (APGA), the Centre endangered in their native habitats. Australia assist in the management for Plant Conservation (CPC), BGCI, the What is less well known is that the and monitoring of the local population Canadian Botanical Conservation arboretum also includes areas of of the endangered Crimson Spider Network (CBCN) and the Association of semi-natural habitats, managed to Orchids ( Caladenia concolor ). Mexican Botanic Gardens (Asociación conserve their rare native species and A fencing grant has enabled the area Mexicana de Jardines Botánicos AMJB) thereby support the GSPC. These where the plants grow to be in a strategic contribution to plant habitats include lowland broadleaved safeguarded from the impacts of conservation. It was hoped that the woodland and calcareous grassland, vehicles and cattle. Staff assist with Strategy would help to demonstrate the both of which are included in the UK field work and further surveys, as well collective impact that botanic gardens in Biodiversity Action Plan as Priority as dismantling unauthorised mountain North America could have on the Habitats. Rare species such as the bike trails, that some enthusiasts build protection and conservation of native spreading bellflower ( in the garden’s protected box-gum plants and plant communities. It was felt patula ) and green-winged orchid woodland. The local community has that by setting outcome-oriented and (Orchis morio ) are being conserved been involved with the project from through active management of their the start and have always enjoyed the habitats, particularly restoration of annual surveys for new plants in coppicing and traditional grazing. various locations. 04 BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) Number of Responses

1-5

6-10

11-15

16-20

21+

Figure 1. Number of responses to the GSPC survey by country

Method How influential has the GSPC has been upon botanic garden activities? The survey was developed online The majority of botanic gardens (www.surveymonkey.com) and a pilot indicated that the GSPC has been either study of ten botanic gardens was very influential or fairly influential to their conducted. The questions were refined activities, with only around 25% and the survey was distributed to BGCI indicating that the GSPC has had no members around the world, totalling 505 influence (Figure 2). The next stage of botanic gardens. The survey was this research will focus on identifying any translated into Spanish, French, Russian common factors associated with a and Chinese and was publicised through garden stating that the GSPC is not Enthusing children about plants the Kew On Course magazine, BGjournal relevant to their activities. and on the BGCI website. The results and public awareness programmes are were submitted online and analysed using Which targets are most relevant for often cited as a key role for botanic the statistical package R (Version 2.9.2). botanic gardens? gardens. There are a substantial range of To gain insight into the GSPC targets approaches to addressing Target 14, with Preliminary results most frequently implemented, the the focus of many awareness projects on Gardens were asked to provide children’s education. Academic The response to the survey was examples of their projects contributing to education within botanic gardens is a excellent with information being each target. Figure 3 shows that almost feature of many of the larger gardens but provided by 252 botanic gardens, all the targets are addressed by at least also in some smaller gardens, particularly representing all continents (Figure 1). one botanic garden in each region of the those affiliated with a University. For This has provided us with a world and illustrates the wide range of example, Rajshahi University Botanical comprehensive global overview of BGCI conservation activities being undertaken Gardens in Bangladesh coordinates a member gardens’ activities in relation to by botanic gardens (See Boxes 1-3). This plant conservation lecture and seminar plant conservation. encouraging finding indicates that the programme for students of the global botanic garden network Department of at the Rajshahi coordinated by BGCI is actively University. The botanic garden has a very contributing to all aspects of the GSPC. limited budget and small number of staff, but views their education work as a The survey results indicate that Target 14 priority. is the most frequently implemented target. This is not surprising as education A roughly equal number of botanic gardens are implementing Targets 1, 8 Caladenia concolor (Jenny Benjamin) and 16 (Figure 2). In relation to Target 1, several large botanic gardens (namely RBG Kew, Missouri and New York Botanical Gardens) are playing the lead role in synthesising a global working list of the known plant species, but many other botanic gardens are also contributing to this target at a more local Caladenia concolor (R. G. Fleming) or regional level. (See the example from

BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 05 Box 2: Developing propagation protocols at the National Botanic Garden in Namibia - a to the GSPC. However, it can be seen contribution to GSPC Target 3 from Figure 3 that the response rate from the global south, and especially from The National Botanic Garden of Africa and India, was low and gardens Namibia has over the past years from Europe and North America become increasingly involved in the constituted 60% of the responses. rehabilitation and restoration of Given that many new botanic gardens are mined areas. As part of this being established in the south and undertaking, propagation protocols although they may have limited for several rare and threatened infrastructure and funding, they do have indigenous species have been the ability to contribute to the developed, for example Juttadinteria implementation of the GSPC (Chen et al. , albata , which is endemic to the 2009), this is clearly an area where BGCI lower Orange River basin in may consider focusing more attention in Children in Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden Southern Namibia and Salsola the future. (Brent Stirton - Getty Images WWF-UK) nollothensis , a dune-stabilising shrub that occurs along the Furthermore, the survey focussed on Brazil on p. 8). Target 8 ( ex situ Southern Namib coastline. which GSPC targets botanic gardens are conservation and restoration) is one of currently implementing, providing a useful the two targets for which BGCI is the key assessment of the current situation. No facilitating agency and is generally efforts were made to assess or evaluate considered to be the main ‘responsibility’ Targets 6, 9 and 12 are the least frequently the success of such projects, and it is of botanic gardens. As a means to implemented by botanic gardens. These clear that ultimately measuring the monitor progress towards this target, targets address the conservation and outputs of projects is important to assess BGCI developed its PlantSearch sustainable use of socio-economically their impact (Kapos et al 2009). Further database and to date, over 700 gardens plant species. As conservation resources research, using this survey as a basis, around the world have contributed data are limited, and botanic gardens need to could provide a more detailed view of the to this. The work of individual botanic prioritise their activities, these targets may success of botanic garden conservation gardens in conserving threatened not fall within their remits. There are also projects in contributing to the species ex situ not only contributes to other institutions that are more specifically achievement of GSPC targets. the achievement of the target globally, addressing these targets. However, as but in many countries, this is being done many of the newest botanic gardens are Conclusions in the context of national targets. For located in the global south where these example, the role of Chinese botanic targets are more relevant and urgent, they The GSPC has provided a framework for gardens in conserving Chinese species is may consider playing a greater role in the conservation activities of botanic discussed on pages 14-19 in this issue. contributing to these targets in the future. gardens and their networks around the world and the recent survey has provided Japan’s botanic gardens Survey constraints a ‘snapshot’ of relevant ongoing activities. There are a huge diversity of approaches a“gree a target to conserve 50% The response rate to the survey was over being taken by botanic gardens to of threatened Japanese plant 50% of those directly informed (BGCI implementing the GSPC, but one of the members), and as such, produces a very clear findings of this research is that the species by 2012. positive picture of the plant conservation global botanic garden community is ” work being carried out by many gardens, playing a significant role in conserving Japanese Association of Botanic large and small, around the world. These threatened plant species. In this paper we Gardens, 2007. gardens, as BGCI members, are well have provided some examples of the placed to both learn about and contribute work being carried out by botanic gardens It is also clear that botanic gardens provide a significant contribution Campanula patula (Simon Toomer) towards developing and maintaining networks for plant conservation (Target 16) and it is exciting to see botanic gardens continuing to create new networks. For example one new initiative led by the Gullele Botanic Garden in Ethiopia is the Horn of Africa Environmental Network. This project aims to develop a centre for training and networking, based at the Gullele Botanic Garden and involving six countries; Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia/Somaliland and Kenya.

06 BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) Box 3: Addressing the GSPC at the Jardín Botánico Regional de Cadereyta, Mexico

The work of this botanic garden • Ex situ conservation of 25 species 120 contributes to several GSPC targets: which are threatened in the region, • Field work and the collection of 40% of which are endemic to the 100 s

herbarium samples, as part of a region, and 5 of which are involved n e d

r 80

project entitled ‘The flora of Bajio in recovery programmes - Target 8 a g c i

and its adjacent regions’ - Target 1. • Artificial cultivation of 7 species n a t

o 60 • Developing protocols for the from the region listed under b f o r

propagation of 100 native species, Appendix I of CITES – Target 11 e b

m 40

20 of which are threatened, in • Talks and workshops aiming to u association with the local increase the awareness of N community – Target 3. thousands of people each year – 20 • In situ protection of 5 species of Target 14 0 threatened endemic cactaceae, • Maintaining, strengthening and Very Fairly Not at all representing 25% of the total increasing working relations with Influential Influential Influential threatened cacti of the state of government bodies, academics and Queretaro – Target 7. the private sector – Target 16. Figure 2: The influence of the GSPC on botanic garden activities

and have highlighted the importance of , Galbraith, D. and Kennedy, K., this work in meeting the 2010 GSPC 2006.T he development of a strategic targets. With the amendment of the GSPC plan for a regional network of botanic targets for 2010-2020, we hope the gardens for conservation: the North contribution of botanic gardens will American experience . BGjournal 3(1): continue to be as active and vibrant. 8-10.

Acknowledgements , Jebb, M., 2005. Developing a PlantNetwork response to Target 8 of Case studies highlighted in the text and the Global Strategy for Plant in Boxes 1-3 are based on information Conservation . BGjournal 2(2): 8. Traditional management of grassland in the UK provided during the GSPC survey, with (Simon Toomer) additional details provided by Simon , Kapos, V., Balmford, A., Aveling, R., Toomer, Paul Scannel and Silke Bubb, P., Carey, P., Entwistle, A. , Secretariat of the Convention on Rügheimer. We are grateful to these Hopkins, J., Mulliken, T., Safford, R., Biological Diversity, 2009. The individuals and to everyone else who Stattersfield, A., Walpole, M and Convention on Biological Diversity completed the survey. Manica, A., 2009. Outcomes, not Plant Conservation Report: A review of implementation, predict conservation progress in implementing the Global References success . Oryx 43 (3): 336-342 Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). 48 pages. , Chen, J., Cannon, C.H. and Hu, H., , Leadley, E., 2005. The BGCI 2009. Tropical botanic gardens: at the Contribution to the Implementation of , Wyse Jackson, P., 2004. Developing in situ ecosystem management the Global Strategy for Plant international targets for botanic gardens frontier . Trends in Plant Science. Conservation BGjournal 2(2): 3-5. in conservation – a consultation 14 (11): 584-588. document . BGjournal 1(1): 4-6.

, Wyse Jackson P. and Kennedy K.,

200 2009. The Global Strategy for Plant Oceania Europe Conservation: a challenge and North America Asia opportunity for the international Latin America Africa 150 community . Trends in plant Science. 14 (11): 578-580.

100 Sophie Williams PhD Research Student Bangor University and Royal

50 Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK e-mail: [email protected]

Figure 3: The number of botanic gardens 0 12345678910 11 12 13 14 15 16 implementing the GSPC targets in different regions of the world

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 07 Author: Gustavo Martinelli

CONTRIBUTIONS OF RIO DE JANEIRO BOTANIC GARDEN Worsleya rayneri – TO BRAZIL’S NATIONAL GSPC MAINSTREAMING a critically endangered narrow endemic (Rio de PROCESS Janeiro Botanic Garden)

The National Centre for Plant Conservation is coordinating efforts to understand, document and conserve Brazil’s plant diversity.

Annatto is produced from the achiote ( ) in Brazil

Introduction

t 202 years of age, the Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden Research AInstitute (JBRJ) has a long history of contributing to the development of scientific knowledge and plant conservation frameworks, protocols and actions. Several initiatives can be highlighted, such as the creation of the first Brazilian National Park in 1937 - the Itatiaia National Park, formerly a field research station of the JBRJ. More recently, the establishment of important botanical collections, such as the RB Herbarium, the DNA bank, the live collection and the institutional represent major steps towards effective conservation. For more than two centuries, JBRJ has protected in itself the memory of the Brazilian natural landscapes and its transitions, preserving plants introduced during colonial times, while at the same time, investing in scientific advances for the challenge of plant diversity conservation.

Working in the herbarium at Curitiba Botanic Garden

08 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) • 08-10 In order to mainstream national efforts facilities in plant conservation increased, with international initiatives towards according to national needs, to achieve plant conservation, the National Centre the targets of this strategy (Target 15); for Plant Conservation – CNCFlora, was and e) networks for plant conservation created in December 2008, under the activities established at national, regional JBRJ infrastructure. The Centre`s and international level (Target 16). mission is to coordinate national efforts, and to understand, document, and Target 1 conserve plant diversity in Brazil, in Due to high rates of biodiversity and collaboration with research institutions endemism in Brazil, GSPC Target 1 has and environmental agencies worldwide. always been considered a challenge and The challenge is being developed several previous actions have already according to the framework provided by failed. The JBRJ has been working for 2 the Global Strategy for Plant years on the development of the Official Conservation (GSPC), prioritizing the List of the Brazilian Flora. CNCFlora has targets that meet national priorities and brought together 480 researchers from capacities. national and international institutions through an online platform, specially Mainstreaming national designed in association with the Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental c“onservation policies with the (CRIA), to organize coordinators, GSPC framework is of great collaborators, attributions and personal contributions. The process used the importance. Species2000 protocol, and generated a species list composed of c. 45,000 taxa , ” Palms in the Botanic Garden (Rio de Janeiro Targets being addressed to be launched in April 2010. This represents a major achievement for the Botanic Garden) CNCFlora has focused efforts on botanical community, since a huge achieving advances in five specific proportion of the world’s plant diversity assessments in Brazil, CNCFlora has GSPC targets: a) a widely accessible occurs in Brazil and is under constant been engaged in the process of working list of known plant species, as a threat due to unsustainable land use diagnosing the present system of step towards a complete world flora practices. endangered species management and (Target 1); b) a preliminary assessment of identifying globally emerging trends in the conservation status of all known Target 2 plant conservation. A series of technical plant species, at national, regional or In the absence of an Official List of the meetings are scheduled for this year in international level (Target 2); c) Brazilian Flora, achievements towards order to consolidate a formal proposal to development of models with protocols GSPC Target 2 are limited, but still be forwarded to the Environment for plant conservation and sustainable significant. Considering the need to Ministry, with the specifications of a use, based on research and practical improve conceptual and methodological modern and adequate system of experience (Target 3); d) the number of definitions to address endangered endangered species management, trained people working with appropriated species conservation status mainstreamed to the GSPC framework. Besides that, 12 recovery plans are being elaborated under the coordination of this Centre. Eight recovery plans for Orchidaceae, one for and three for Lauraceae species. It is important to note that this represents more than the number of recovery plans ever developed in Brazil for endangered plant species, and constitutes an important step in plant conservation policy towards a more proactive approach.

The Brazilian Official List of E“ndangered Species includes 472 species. 92 endangered species are in the ex situ collection of JBRJ. Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden (Peter Wyse Jackson) ”

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 09 Target 3 Advances in the targets mentioned have been possible due to extensive research and discussion on conservation protocols adopted by different countries, their strengths and weaknesses, and appropriateness to the Brazilian biodiversity situation and institutional capacity. During its two years of operation, CNCFlora staff have been reviewing all literature on the subject and CNCFlora team looking for remnant population of Glaziophyton mirabile (Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden) consolidating a document to be forwarded to the Environment Ministry in order to consolidate an effective and all responsible government network. Despite people’s good will, Box 1: Brazilian Botanic Gardens institutions, in order to standardize and existing guidelines for plant Action Plan national efforts for plant conservation. conservation, the Brazilian institutions The document will be presented in late seem to be unsupported in The Brazilian Botanic Gardens Action 2010 and will address GSPC Target 3 implementing their conservation Plan was published by the Brazilian recommendations. agendas. This Centre has played a key Botanic Garden Network in 2004. role in articulating actors and focusing The Action Plan , which was efforts on the recommendations of developed in a consultative process GSPC Target 16, related to building with Brazilian botanic garden staff, networks. indicates the challenges, priorities and future responsibilities, both Conclusions individual and collective, for Brazilian botanical gardens. It was developed Notwithstanding the recent creation of as a national response to the CNCFlora, the significant progress made International Agenda for Botanic to date on the targets listed above Gardens in Conservation and the evidences the importance of botanic Global Strategy for Plant gardens participating in plant Conservation and includes 20 key conservation all over the world, leading goals for botanic gardens in Brazil to The team from the Brazilian National Centre for the way and working as models for other achieve by 2014. A number of short, Flora Conservation (Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden) scientific institutions and environmental medium and long term action points agencies. Mainstreaming national are identified for the achievement of Target 15 conservation policies with the GSPC each of the key goals. To guarantee the long term sustainability framework is of great relevance. Since of CNCFlora and its actions, investments biodiversity does not respond to political Copies of the Action Plan can be in capacity building for the conservation boundaries, the conservation strategies downloaded from: www.rbjb.org.br of plant diversity has been a priority for plants must be transversely and since the Centre’s creation. Therefore, globally implemented, in order to assure the CNCFlora Grant Program was effectiveness of actions. established. This already supports 11 Gustavo Martinelli professionals, 3 undergraduate, 1 To face the new challenge of plant National Centre on Flora graduate and 5 post-graduate students. conservation worldwide and halt Conservation Alignment between the JBRJ Research biodiversity loss, new integrative Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Institute and the Brazilian National approaches are needed. It is necessary Rua Pacheco Leao 915, School of Tropical Botany – ENBT, has to establish communication among Rio de Janeiro 22460-030 been strategic to assure the necessary actors involved in this process, and Brazil infrastructure to increase the number of botanic gardens can play a key role. Email: [email protected] trained people in plant conservation. Science itself cannot address all related matters. Therefore it is important to Target 16 consider political, economical and social However, the most challenging task aspects of the actions undertaken, might be to guarantee proper establishing a permanent communication among actors involved communication channel between in the plant conservation process, scientists and decision makers. avoiding by that, redundant efforts. The Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden is In this way, CNCFlora has been investing highly committed to the challenge and time in establishing working agendas has already consolidated important with all government institutions related contributions for the National GSPC to biodiversity and plant conservation, mainstreaming process.

10 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) Authors: Ruth J. Eastwood & Jonas V. Müller

EUROPEAN NATIVE SEED CONSERVATION NETWORK WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS GSPC TARGET 8

o-ordinated by the Royal Botanic ENSCONET’s 31 project partners have made great Gardens, Kew, the European CNative Seed Conservation progress in seed banking Europe’s native plants and Network (ENSCONET) started its activities as a European Commission’s building conservation capacity across the region. Sixth Framework Programme project in 2004. Before its inception, staff from seed banks storing wild species (mainly in botanic gardens) met only occasionally, for example at conferences. There was little co- ordination of action at national and international level, and no common protocols and standards existed. The ENSCONET network has been transforming the way that the seeds of Europe’s wild plant species are conserved. Now a community exists where data, expertise, problem solving and facilities can be shared. There is co- ordination across and within boundaries and common protocols have been jointly developed. While the European Commission funding ran out in October 2009, the 31 project partners from 20 Meeting of ENSCONET members in Valencia (D. Lazaro-Gimeno) European countries have built a strong community of cooperation and European Plant Conservation Strategy collected seed material. ENSCONET has collaboration through which ENSCONET (ESPC) for Targets 3.1 and 8.1. In the been achieving these objectives in a flourishes today. ESPC document, ENSCONET is number of ways. mentioned as a ‘Key Success’ in ENSCONET’s impact towards European plant conservation. Europe-wide collecting plan GSPC Target 8 Up until 2009, the first objective for the The ENSCONET project partners have One example of the successful Collecting activity area has been to developed collecting plans at four cooperation on the European level is the prepare a detailed, co-ordinated and different geographical (local, national, network’s impact towards the Global prioritised seed collection programme bio-regional and continental) levels. Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). for the European native flora, with the In an innovative approach, the bio- ENSCONET has been targeting four key aim to contribute to the targets of the geographical regions as defined by the seed banking activity areas: Collecting, GSPC and to the objectives of the European Environment Agency were Curation, Data Management and European Commission’s Sixth used in much of the co-ordination Dissemination. It is through the Biodiversity Action Plan. A second between the individual plans. This successful cooperation in the Collecting objective has been to develop a method reflects the nature of species’ activity area that ENSCONET has made common, high standard for seed boundaries much better than political a significant impact on GSPC Target 8. collecting of European native plants borders would do in a country-by- ENSCONET is also recognised as a lead which maximises the genetic diversity country approach (see examples in partner in the updated version of the (effectiveness) and longevity of Boxes 1 and 2).

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) • 11-13 11 others, botanic garden staff and horticulturists, seed conservationists, ecologists, natural reserve managers and researchers involved in habitat restoration and rehabilitation.

Monitoring progress towards GSPC Target 8

ENSCONET has produced a comprehensive list of seed bank holdings of native plant species. It is providing improved online access to these holdings data through its ‘Virtual Seed Bank’, ENSCOBASE (https://enscobase.maich.gr). For some seed banks, this is the first time that Seed collections at the Millennium Seed Bank (Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) their collections have been made accessible via the Internet. The advantages of planning seed The manual was jointly developed collecting activities collaboratively at the through a number of targeted workshops The ‘Virtual Seed Bank’ is being used to bio-regional instead of the local or and extensive field-testing across assess progress towards GSPC Target 8. national level include: European countries. It synthesises the At this moment, the Virtual Seed Bank current state-of-the-art knowledge and stores data from 29 European seed • Avoidance of duplication (making documents best practice protocols for banks on almost 42,000 seed collections collections with no added value). collecting seed from Europe’s native representing just under 9,300 taxa from • Improved geographic and genetic plant species including planning 40 countries. Looking at threatened plant representation of sampled accessions. collecting expeditions, sampling, species only, the ‘Virtual Seed Bank’ • Ease of adding or amending data collecting techniques, identification and stores 27% of seed bearing plants following large initial input. documentation, care of collections and (spermatophytes, i.e. gymnosperms s.l. • Increased communication between data collection. A data passport form is and angiosperms) of the BGCI European partners and the means to build trust included which will help to ensure that Threatened Taxa list and 44% of the and strengthen working relationships. accurate and detailed data is collected seed plants on the Annex II list of the in the field. Prepared in nine languages European Community Habitats Directive The development of the ENSCONET (English, French, Greek, German, (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the project partners’ local collections plans Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese Conservation of natural habitats and of has allowed institutes to prepare for the and Spanish) and made freely available wild fauna and flora). Although the future and have a basis for planning on-line (www.ensconet.eu/Download. network’s focus is on seed bearing specific scenarios for different future htm), the manual has a wide distribution plants, the ‘Virtual Seed Bank’ database resources. Additionally, these detailed across and even beyond Europe. The has also collated data on pteridophytes. plans are valuable when approaching manual will be of use to, amongst For them, it holds 5% of the species potential funders of future seed conservation activities and can be used as a tool to secure additional financial BOX 1: Kerner White Buttercup The seed set is extremely low, its support. But the ENSCONET planning Callianthemum kernerianum Freyn. are heavily predated and the approach has a wider application. It can ex Kern. (Ranunculaceae) longevity of its seeds in ex- be applied to “shared/ overlapping is a highly threatened situ conservation are regions” at different geographical scales narrow endemic species expected to be very low. and can be implemented to co-ordinate in the European Alps. might also shared conservation responsibility of, for In a preliminary IUCN have a devastating example, waterways, nature reserves or assessment, it has been potential impact on its marine areas. The project’s Collecting assigned CR. It is of populations considering Plan Report documents the method conservation concern their isolation and poor used (www.ensconet.eu/Download.htm). because it has a very dispersability. Its restricted distribution, (C. Bonomi) successful conservation The ENSCONET seed collecting occurring only at the is dependant on a good protocol summit of Monte Baldo east of Lake understanding of its reproductive Garda in NE Italy. Changes in land use which is currently being One of the most important achievements and tourism development are currently investigated jointly by two Italian of the collaboration between the 31 heavily impacting on its population. ENSCONET partners. project partners is the ENSCONET Collecting Manual for wild species .

12 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) mentioned in the BGCI European Threatened Taxa list and 26% of the species listed in the Habitats Directive Annex II list.

The Virtual Seed Bank shows that the percentage of threatened plant species safely stored in seed bank collections is not equal for all countries. The plant species growing in the UK and Spain are particularly well represented. The database has also been used to produce lists of threatened plant species requiring duplication to mitigate loss of collections long term.

Outlook Seed collections at the Millennium Seed Bank (Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)

Having built significant dialogue and to these pressures. However, for seed momentum in Europe, a key aim is to banks to store and provide the most maintain this in the future. The valuable collections, there will also need conservation of wild plants in Europe has to be much greater dialogue with end- never been more important. In a world users for example with researchers and where land conversion for human use habitat restoration ecologists. At the continues apace and the effects of climate moment, seed banks for wild plant change have yet to be quantified with species often collect material on the basis certainty, seed collections will prove to be of the threat status. Although this is very an essential resource in finding solutions important, a challenge for future collecting

BOX 2: Onosma stridii Teppner the Greek Red Book. A large part of (Boraginaceae) is an endemic plant its population has recently been species from Greece. It was described destroyed due to a road construction as a new species twenty years ago project; its conservation status needs and can only be found on one to be reassessed. One of the Greek mountain massif in the Greek region ENSCONET partners, the National Seed collections in the drying room of the of Sterea Ellada. It grows only on and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Millennium Seed Bank (Board of Trustees of the serpentine rock which is high in nickel, is planning to collect seeds of this Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) chromium and cobalt and therefore narrow endemic. A portion of the toxic to most plant species. Due to collected seed material will be used to efforts will be to balance the conservation small population sizes and its limited better understand the reproductive and utilitarian requirements and desires area of distribution, Onosma stridii biology of this plant and its for collecting. Through a collaborative had been classified as Vulnerable in requirements for ex situ propagation. approach ENSCONET will provide the support European seed banks need to achieve conservation of its most threatened species in the most effective way, thus continuing to contribute to GSPC Target 8. At the same time it also hopes to facilitate the wider European research area with the provision of quality seed collections of useful plant species.

Ruth J Eastwood & Jonas V Müller Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, Seed Conservation Department, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly West Sussex (E. Kalogeropoulos) RH17 6TN, United Kingdom

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 13 Author: Hongwen Huang

EX SITU PLANT CONSERVATION: A KEY ROLE OF CHINESE BOTANIC GARDENS IN IMPLEMENTING CHINA’S STRATEGY FOR PLANT CONSERVATION

Chinese botanic gardens have prioritized the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), as well as China’s international conservation of rare and threatened species and are obligations as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). progressing rapidly towards GSPC Target 8. Chinese botanic gardens have made great progresses in the implementation of China’s Strategy for Plant Conservation .

Introduction domestication in China has generated an China’s Strategy for Plant enormous number of cultivars of hina is home to approximately important crops, vegetables, fruits and C“onservation is an action plan to 10% of the world’s plant diversity ornamentals (CSPCEC, 2008). provide overall guidance for Cand more than half of its 33,000 species are endemic (MEP, 1998; MEP, However, plant diversity in China is Chinese plant diversity 2007). This tremendous plant diversity increasingly threatened, with some 4,000- conservation. encompasses a huge number of species 5,000 plant species thought to be at risk of bryophytes (c. 2,200 species), of extinction. The timely launch of ” pteridophytes (c. 2,600 species), China’s Strategy for Plant Conservation Status of Chinese botanic gymnosperms (c. 250 species), and (CSPC) in 2008 aims to tackle the urgent gardens angiosperms (>30,000 species). issues of plant conservation and Furthermore, a long history of demonstrates China’s firm commitment Ancient Chinese gardens can be dated agricultural civilization and crop plant to the environment, aligned with the back probably to the Xia dynasty (2100- 1600 BC) when unimproved wild species were used as ornamentals. Even before then, c. 2800 BC, the legendary Shennong established a medicinal garden, currently regarded as the earliest botanic garden in the world (Xu, 1997; Lopez-Pujol et al ., 2006). The first western concept botanic gardens, designated for plant introduction and botanical research, were established during 1920’s -1930’s but development was slow until the mid-1970s. Since then there has been rapid growth, up to a total of 160 botanic gardens in existence today (He, 2002) (Fig 1).

145 of the 160 botanic gardens in China are located in temperate and subtropical regions, with the majority being located in eastern and south-central China. Only 10% of the gardens can be found in western China. In the past 10 years, more efforts have been put towards to Camellia nitidissima - a national proritized protected species (SCBG) the establishment of botanic gardens in

14 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) • 14-19 Garden view (SCBG) southern and southwestern China where The botanic gardens of the • Qinling Botanical Garden (QBG), centers of plant diversity and high plant Chinese Academy of Science • West China Subalpine Botanical endemism occurs. Garden (WCSBG), The Chinese Academy of Sciences • Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (FLBG), Management of Chinese botanic gardens (CAS) is the principal national academic • Chenshan Botanical Garden (CBG), differs considerably with the different organization in natural science and its • Three Gorges Botanical Garden government agencies they are affiliated botanic gardens are designated (TGBG), administered by. Most ex situ as essential organizations dedicated to • Shenyang Arboretum conservation programs are conducted by the exploration, utilization and • Dinghushan Arboretum the botanic gardens that fall under the conservation of strategic plant administration of the Chinese Academy of resources. There are a total of 16 These 16 botanic gardens are distributed Sciences (CAS). Gardens under the botanic gardens (arboreta) under the over 10 provinces (or autonomous Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural management of CAS or jointly managed regions) in China, occupying a total area Development (MHURD), State Forest by CAS and local government: of 14,000 hectares. Administration (SFA), Ministry of Health (MOH) and state universities, etc. do • South China Botanical Garden (SCBG), Ex situ conservation in Chinese conduct some ex situ conservation • Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical botanical gardens activities, but their priorities are more Garden (XTBG), focused on landscaping, tourist attraction, • Wuhan Botanical Garden (WBG), The combined living collections of the 10 and public education. The overall • Beijing Botanical Garden (BBG), main CAS botanic gardens consist of coordination of the national plant • Nanjing Botanical Garden (NBG), some 24,667 plant species (Table 1). conservation strategy and its • Lushan Botanical Garden (LBG), These cover approximately 95% of the implementation is provided by the CAS • Guilin Botanical Garden (GBG), ex situ collections of all Chinese botanic Botanical Garden Working Committee and • Kunming Botanical Garden (KBG), gardens. It is estimated that the Chinese Botanical Garden Society. • Turpan Botanical Garden (TBG), approximately 80% of the species in these collections are native Chinese plants and 20% are introduced species. These collections provide an important 180 160 160 reserve of plant resources for

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u 40 N 12 14 20 conservation and the sustainable use of 0 plant diversity and CAS developed a 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2010 new strategy for botanic garden Year research. As a result a 5-year master Fig. 1. Increase in the number of Chinese botanic gardens in past 60 years (updated from He, 2002) plan was formulated, taking CAS botanic

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 15 These core botanic gardens have Table 1: Analysis of ex situ become important centers in China for a x

conservation collections of China’s y the conservation of strategically a l t l d d a d 10 main botanic gardens (2009) e e important plant resources. With their n i i e i f f i i c g s r r i species conservation standards aligned u r e e e i d v v o c o a . . . to those of other international first-class r e x t o o o p a n N t N s i Botanical Garden N botanic gardens, these core gardens also provide an important platform to South China Botanical Garden (SCBG) 13,053 11,512 7,898 support social and economic sustainable Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical garden (XTBG) 17,109 14,973 7,420 development in China. Wuhan Botanical Garden (WBG) 7,613 7,090 5,023 Beijing Botanical Garden-CAS (BBG) 5,001 5,001 3,463 Status of ex situ collections in Lushan Botanical Garden (LBG) 5,077 4,934 4,378 China Nanjing Botanical Garden (NBG) 3,832 3,790 2,701 Turpan Botanical Garden (TBG) 506 506 490 China’s botanic garden collections are Guilin Botanical Garden (GBG) 4,058 4,056 3,843 extensive and representative of the Kunming Botanical Garden (KBG) 4,276 4,276 3,330 different native flora across the regions Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (FLBG) 5,993 6,588 4,956 of China. Indeed most botanic gardens Total species records 66,518 62,726 43,502 have focused their collection and Total number of individual species 24,667 conservation work on the local flora or regional flora. However, the need for duplication of ex situ conserved plants across different gardens is also garden development into the 21st than 10,000 in 2006. WBG increased its recognized as an important insurance century. Subsequently, CAS re-organized ex situ collection from about 4,000 taxa in policy to safeguard unpredictable losses. its botanic gardens and designated three 2002 to about 8,000 today. Of the 24,667 plants cultivated ex situ in National Core Botanic Gardens and also the 10 main botanic gardens, 8,216 promoted the concept of Scientific At the same time, a large number of species (33.3%) are duplicated in at Botanic Gardens. Botanic gardens were specialized collections have been least in one other botanic garden, with viewed as supporting platforms for renovated and enhanced for botanical 15.1% replicated in two gardens, 7.3% innovation research in life science, and research and germplasm assessment. in three gardens, and 4.5% in four were developed in line with the leading The most well known examples include gardens (Table 2). However, a total of international botanic gardens. CAS SCBG holding the world’s largest 16,451 species (two thirds of the total) initiated a “Knowledge Innovation collections of Magnoliaceae with >130 are not duplicated in any of the 10 main Program” at the three core gardens, species, Zingiberaceae with >120 gardens. XTBG, WBG and SCBG and this species, Palmae with 382 species and prompted the idea of establishing a China’s largest collection of bamboo However, when considering the National Scientific Botanic Garden in with >200 species; WBG holds the world duplication rates of species on a garden- China. largest collections of Actinidia with by-garden basis, the percentage of >52 species and aquatic plants with duplicated species ranges from 40% to The National Core Botanic >800 taxa. 75%, with an average of 61.3% Gardens

As the projects continue successfully, the capacity in science and technology innovation have shown great improvement in the three core botanic gardens. These gardens have reinforced their efforts in ex situ conservation and the collection and conservation of resource- plant species has been extensively enhanced. For example, XTBG increased the number of taxa under ex situ conservation from about 4,000 in 2002 to about 10,000 in 2005, of which 7,420 have been identified correctly. Thus XTBG became the first garden in China to conserve 10,000 plant taxa and one of the few botanic gardens in the world with such a large number of species in its living collections. SCBG increased its collection from about 4,500 taxa in 2002 to more Orchid ex situ conservation (SCBG)

16 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) Garden view (SCBG) duplication. The percentage of species from each garden that are duplicated Table 2: Duplication of species conserved ex situ between the 10 largest across the 10 botanic gardens ranges botanic gardens from 6% to 20%, with an average value of 11%. 10 BGs 9 BG 8 BGs 7 BGs 6 BGs 5 BGs 4 BGs 3 BGs 2 BGs No duplication 14 76 169 287 381 659 1115 1795 3,720 16,451 Given that gardens have a focus on 0.06% 0.31% 0.69% 1.2% 1.5% 2.7% 4.5% 7.3% 15.1% 66.7% conserving local species, duplication at other gardens within the same region should also be treated as a priority, allowing plants to be duplicated in Conservation of rare and conservation cannot save all threatened gardens with similar climates and threatened plants or rare plants, ex situ conservation offers environments. An assessment of such an effective supplementary conservation regional duplication reveals that Conservation of rare and threatened activity (Hawkins et al . 2008). duplication within each region ranges plants has been prioritized by Chinese Work towards ensuring the ex situ from 10% to 27% (Table 3) botanic gardens. While in situ conservation of rare and threatened

Table 3: Duplication of species conserved ex situ amongst the 10 largest Chinese botanic gardens

Region South China SW China Central China N NE NW China China China No of species in gardens/region 12,074 9,779 7,740 Botanical garden SCBG FLBG GBG XTBG KMBG WBG LBG BBG NBG TBG No. of species 7,898 4,956 3,843 7,420 3,330 5,023 4,378 3,463 2,701 490 In one BG only 2,851 1,610 959 3,480 1,238 1,498 1,793 2,018 766 238 Duplicated in another garden 5,047 3,346 2,884 3,940 2,092 3,525 2,585 1,445 1,935 252 Duplicated % Z 63.9% 67.5% 75% 50.1% 62.8% 70.2% 59% 41.7% 71.6% 51.4% Average duplication % 61.3% Duplication % in 10 BGs Y 20.5% 13.6% 11.7% 16% 8.5% 14.3% 10.5% 5.9% 7.8% 1.0% Average duplication % 11% Duplicated within region 3,245 2,666 2,230 971 971 1,661 1,661 Duplicated % within region X 26.9% 22.1% 18.5% 10% 10% 21.5% 21.5% Mean % regional duplication 22.5% 10% 21.5%

Z Percent of duplicated species at each garden = number of duplicated species / total number of species at each garden Y Percent of duplicated species across 10 gardens = number of duplicated species / total number (24,667) of ex situ conserved species in 10 gardens X Percent of species duplicated in the region = number duplicated within the region / number of species in the region

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 17 Gymnosperms collection (SCBG)

selected groups of plant to be collected with a focus on strengthening existing collections and planning for the restoration of key species (BGCI, 2007).

Seed banking

While prioritization of ex situ living collections continues to be important, wide-scale seed banking efforts are also given priority, particularly in the face of Palm collection (SCBG) climate change, where virtually all species may be at risk. The construction plants is guided by GSPC Target 8: analysis and re-evaluation of ex situ of national seed banks is therefore “60% of threatened plant species in conservation strategies are still urgently complementing the ex situ living plant accessible ex situ collections, preferably needed to ensure that these collections collections. For example, the China in the country of origin, and 10% of them act as a true safety net for endangered Southwest Wildlife Germplasm included in recovery and restoration species. Genebank project, operated by the programmes”. Significant progresses Kunming Institute of Botany, CAS, at the has been made by botanic gardens in A significant feature of the ex situ end of 2009 included 31,199 accessions China and it is estimated that all 388 conservation of threatened plants in the from 4,781 plant species belonging to species categorized for national botanic gardens is a high duplication 1,337 genera and 166 families. The goal protection (Fu, 1992) are included in the rate across different gardens. The of the genebank is to seed bank a total ex situ living collections of botanic duplication of these species across the of 100,000 accessions from 10,000 plant gardens. However, extensive collection 10 main botanical gardens ranges from species by 2020. has not taken place for the 4,404 plant 57.7% at Turpan Botanical Garden to species included on a more recently 95.1% at Nanjing Botanical Garden, with In relation to crop diversity, the need for published Red List (Wang & Xie, 2004) an average value of 79.8%. This ex situ conservation of diverse crop as this list is not widely accepted or provides a good measure of safeguard material has also been recognized as finalized by the Chinese government against unpredictable losses. The increasingly urgent – with a particular conservation agencies. duplication within the same region also need to focus on crop wild relatives and provides a safe backup at the regional local varieties of crops as a rich source of Each of the10 main botanical gardens level across China (Table 5). adaptive traits for extreme abiotic currently holds between 26 and 710 rare conditions. The Ministry of Agriculture and threatened plants (Table 4), When individual taxa are onsidered, 874 has established a network of cold storage accounting for an average 8.7% of their (53%) of the rare or threatened species seedbanks to safely conserve crop total ex situ living collections. Together maintained in botanic gardens genetic resources. These seedbanks, these collections include 1,633 species, collections have been backed up in at which possess long-term, medium-term accounting for 37.6% of the 4,404 plants least one other gardens (Table 6). Gap and duplicate cold storage facilities, now in the recent Red List. Further gap analyses is now required to identify include 390,000 accessions of seeds of

Table 4: Number of rare and threatened plant species conserved ex situ in the 10 largest Chinese botanic gardens

Botanical garden SCBG FLBG GBG XTBG KBG WBG LBG BBG NBG TBG Total sp. 7,898 4,956 3,843 7,420 3,330 5,023 4,378 3,463 2,701 490 Red List sp. 710 441 445 571 423 652 229 177 263 26 Red List sp. % 9.0% 8.9% 11% 7.7% 12.7% 13.0% 4.6% 5.1% 9.7% 5.3% Average 8.7% Total species 1,633 % of redlist (2004) 37.6%

18 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) Table 5: Regional duplication of rare and threatened species conserved ex situ among the 10 largest Chinese botanical gardens

Region South China SW China Central China N NE NW China China China No of species region (total 1633) 996 839 740 Botanical garden SCBG FLBG GBG XTBG KBG WBG LBG BBG NBG TBG No. of R & T species 710 441 445 571 423 652 229 177 263 26 In one BG only 123 34 89 188 92 140 41 28 13 11 Duplicated in another garden 587 407 356 383 331 512 188 149 250 15 Duplicated % Z 82.7% 92.3% 80% 67.1% 78.3% 78.5% 82.1% 84.2% 95.1% 57.7% Average 79.8% Duplication at a garden without region 435 336 280 155 155 144 144 % duplicated within region y 43.7% 33.7% 28.1% 18.5% 18.5% 19.1% 19.1% Mean regional duplication % 35.2% 18.5% 19.1%

Z Z Percent of duplicated rare and threatened species at each garden = duplicated number of R & T species/total number of R & T species at each garden y Percent of R & T species duplicated in the region = number duplicated within the region / number of R & T species in the region

Table 6: Overall duplication of rare and threatened species conserved ex situ amongst the 10 largest botanic gardens

10 BGs 9 BG 8 BGs 7 BGs 6 BGs 5 BGs 4 BGs 3 BGs 2 BGs None 0925 46 60 90 147 183 314 759 0.6% 1.5% 2.8% 3.7% 5.5% 9.0% 11.2% 19.2% 46.5%

, Fu, L.K. (Ed.), 1992. China Plant Red Data , Xu Z. F., 1997. The status and Book. Rare and endangered plants 1 . strategy for ex situ conservation of Science Press, Beijing & New York. plant diversity in Chinese botanic gardens – discussion of principles Conservation nursery (SCBG) , Hawkins, B., Sharrock, S. and Havens, K., and methodologies of ex situ 2008. Plants and climate change: which conservation for plant diversity . crop germplasm belonging to 450 future? Botanic Gardens Conservation In: Schei P.J. and Wang S. (eds), species, 160 genera and 28 families. International, Richmond, UK. Conserving China’s Biodiversity. In addition, 32 national field germplasm China Environmental Science Press, repositories designated for perennial and , He S.A. 2002., Fifty years of botanical Beijing, pp.79–95 vegetatively propagated crops, mostly for gardens in China . Acta Botanica Sinica & nut crops and their wild relatives, 44 (9): 1123-1133 Hongwen Huang include more than 1,300 species of rare South China Botanical Garden and endangered plants (MEP 2008). , López-Pujol J., Zhang, F.M. & Ge, S., Guangzhou 510520 These efforts have greatly enhanced the 2006. Plant biodiversity in China: richly China ex situ conservation capacity of crop varied, endangered, and in need of email: [email protected] diversity for food security. conservation . Biodiversity and Conservation 15 :3983–4026 References , MEP (Ministry of Environmental , BGCI, 2007. Thorny challenge clears Protection of PR China), 2008. China’s the way for conservation . Fourth National Report on http://www.bgci.org/botanic_gardens/ Implementation of the Convention on news/0435/ accessed December 2009. Biological Diversity . Available at: http://www.cbd.int/countries/profile.sht , CSPCEC (China’s Strategy Plant ml?country=cn Conservation Editorial Committee). 2008. China’s Strategy for Plant , Wang, S. & Xie, Y. (Eds.),2004. China Conservation . Guangdong Press Species Red List 1 . Higher Education Group, Guangzhou (China). Press, Beijing. Herbarium (SCBG)

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 19 Author: Teresa Cabrera Cachón

THE ROLE OF MEXICAN BOTANIC GARDENS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR PLANT CONSERVATION

Mexican botanic gardens regularly review their contributions to the GSPC and have a clear focus on education and public awareness.

Introduction

ost of the botanic gardens in Mexico belong to the Mexican MAssociation of Botanic Gardens (Asociación Mexicana de Jardines Botánicos - AMJB) which includes over 40 gardens.

Due to the variations in climate across the country and the differing origins of each of the gardens and their official status, the interests and activities that have been developed by each garden differ according to their capacities and needs.

The AMJB has adopted the GSPC as one of the main topics to be covered during its national meetings, which are held annually. Through this work the Association follows up on the way in which each garden contributes to the Representation of an indigenous household (Faustino Miranda Botanic Garden) each of the GSPC’s objectives.

20 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) • 20-23 fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from its use, through the development and effective application of administrative, economic and social incentives based on knowledge.

The Mexican flora includes o“ver 23,000 species, over 10% of the world’s plant diversity. ” The strategy has the following specific objectives; these are based on the objectives of the GSPC but adapted to the national situation:

1. Generation, integration and transmission of the knowledge and information necessary for the conservation of plant diversity 2. Conservation of plant diversity in situ and ex situ 3. Restoration and recovery of deteriorated or altered ecosystems 4. Prevention and control of threats to plant diversity 5. Sustainable use of plant diversity 6. Public policy instruments for the implementation of the Mexican Strategy for Plant Conservation 7. Education, awareness raising, institutional coordination, promotion and development of institutional What has been done so far? The same document establishes an capacities for the conservation of Action Plan with ten points, among plant diversity In 2000, the AMJB published the which are the development of a Conservation Strategy for Mexican collection of threatened plants, Mexican botanic gardens and Botanic Gardens. The main objectives of conservation programs at the regional the Mexican Strategy for Plant the strategy are: level and the development of Conservation relationships between communities and • To develop an action plan for the environmental education programs. Although botanic gardens cannot cover conservation of threatened species of all the objectives of the Mexican Mexican flora and form collections of The Mexican Strategy for Plant Strategy, they do contribute significantly live plants of these species. Conservation to many of them. In order to assess the • To promote conservation work for situation and the capacity of Mexican species located in each region of the In 2007, at the XX National Meeting of botanic gardens, the annual meetings country through in situ and ex situ AMJB, a Coordinating Committee for the since 2007 have focused on different activities. Mexican Strategy for Plant Conservation GSPC objectives as follows: • To strengthen inter-institutional and was officially established, involving multidisciplinary work that will government, academia, civil contribute to the development of organizations and the AMJB. During this integrated projects for threatened meeting the objectives of the Mexican plants in their natural habitat through strategy were presented to the botanic sustainability programs. garden community and the importance • To promote and support programs of of their role in its implementation was scientific collection of biological emphasised. material and information on uses of native plants. The mission of the Mexican strategy is to • To promote the establishment of establish directives and actions for the horticulture courses and/or study conservation and sustainable use of Propagation of palms programs in universities. plant diversity in Mexico, as well as the (Faustino Miranda Botanic Garden)

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 21 Figure 1: Mexican Botanic Gardens 1 and the GSPC 2 3 I. Understanding and documenting 4 plant diversity: 5 Targets 1, 2, 3 6 7 II. Conserving plant diversity: 8 Targets 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 9 10 III. Using plant diversity sustainable: 11 Targets 13, 14, 15, 16 12 13 IV Promoting education and 14 awareness about plant diversity: 15 Targets: 17, 18 16 17 V. Building capacity for the 18 conservation of plant diversity: 19a Targets 19, 20a, 20b, 20c 19b 20a 20b 20c 123456789 Number of gardens evaluated

Caballero, J. 2007. Jardín Botánico IB-UNAM. Presentation during the XX meeting

2007: What are Mexican botanic allowed the botanic garden staff to gardens doing in relation to the identify that the main impacts are in the GSPC? areas of ex situ conservation, knowledge During this meeting an analysis was and documentation of species, and carried out to determine how the work of environmental education. The results from the botanic gardens relates to the this analysis are presented in Figure 1. different targets of the GSPC. This 2008: Priority species for Mexican botanic gardens: The discussion of this point allowed a general overview of the current status of Traditional medicine workshop with indigenous the collections in the gardens to be communities in Chiapas (Yolanda Barrios) developed and identified the species where more emphasis is being placed. This helped to define information gaps The demand for guided and prioritise areas that need attention. “visits at the Botanical Garden of 2009: Cultivating values and the National University of Mexico commitments for plant conservation: Environmental education is one of the (UNAM), has increased to the activities that is taking place in most of point that we have had to devise the gardens. The analysis of the work carried out in this regard noted new approaches to meet the differences in target audiences as well as public’s need. in capacities and needs between gardens. This indicated a need to ” develop an Environmental Education How are we doing? Strategy for Botanic Gardens to standardize criteria and improve work Figure 1 provides a summary of the tools. In 2009 the Commission of situation of nine of the most important Education was formalized and so far two botanic gardens in the country. The Food culture workshops in Chiapas workshops have taken place to develop analysis is based on comparing the work (Faustino Miranda Botanic Garden) the strategy. of these gardens with the International

22 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) Workshops for children (Faustino Miranda Botanic Garden)

Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation targets, published by BGCI in 2004 (Wyse Jackson, BGjournal vol. 1 No. 1).

Of the five objectives of the GSPC, Mexican botanic gardens contribute mostly to the objectives: I.) Understanding and documenting plant diversity and IV) Promoting education and the sharing of the benefits derived Agavacea and Crassulacea families with and awareness about plant diversity. from them” in 2003. This declaration the collection for wild cacti currently in To a lesser extent, they contribute to includes twelve points with ethical progress. The Xochitla Botanic Garden objective II) Conserving plant diversity, principles that must be respected in the has the collection of aquatic plants of in particular regarding Target 8. fair and equitable distribution of benefits the Valley of Mexico and the Francisco obtained from the use of traditional Javier Clavijero Botanic Garden has the Special mention should be made of the knowledge and confirms that the national collections of Cycads and activities carried out to conserve the communities are the owners of these . traditional knowledge of indigenous resources. communities. At least 50% of botanic These collections are germplasm gardens participate in this activity. Regarding ex situ conservation of reservoirs that allow for propagation In an effort to follow international species, one of the most important activities, in particularly of threatened treaties relating to working with local activities being carried out is the species, for future programs of communities and after several promotion of regional and national restoration of ecosystems or discussions, AMJB published the collections. The botanic garden of the reintroduction to their original habitats. “Oaxaca Declaration: principles on the Biology Institute of the National access to genetic resources and the Autonomous University of Mexico Regarding the 981 species included in traditional knowledge of Mexican flora, (UNAM) has national collections for the the Mexican red list (NOM-059- SEMARNAT-2001), that is, plants that are found in a risk category, approximately 50% are found in collections of the gardens and 30% have propagation programs.

Through these actions, Mexican botanic gardens are successfully implementing the Mexican and Global Strategies for Plant Conservation and are contributing to the conservation of plant diversity globally.

Teresa Cabrera Cachón. Jardín Botánico Dr. Faustino Miranda. Calzada de los Hombres Ilustres Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México. e-mail: [email protected]

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 23 Author: Andrea Kramer

MEASURING BOTANIC GARDENS’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLANT CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES

BGCI’s databases provide invaluable tools to measure in 2010, as we work to demonstrate the contributions of the world’s botanic and report on progress towards the GSPC in the USA. garden community towards the many different targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). It is also a subject whose importance extends well beyond 2010 and the GSPC, as it Background published in 2006. A number of gardens influences how we perceive ourselves as have used one or more of these a community, impacts planning and how here is a remarkable amount of strategies to help guide their planning we work together in the future, and plant conservation and and activities. However, rather than enhances how we present ourselves to Tenvironmental education work discussing these strategies, this article individuals and organizations outside the being carried out efficiently and focuses on what work is being done botanic garden community. effectively by botanic gardens in the now, and how we can best measure and United States, and BGCI US is working report on its combined impacts. As a step towards tackling this challenge, to support this when and wherever this article attempts to summarize the possible. One area of focus in 2010 Measuring and reporting on work of botanic gardens in the United involves measuring and sharing the true progress States using information and tools collective impact of this work as currently at-hand. It also explains progress towards two national strategies The topic of measuring and reporting the ongoing and upcoming projects BGCI US and the Global Strategy for Plant collective contributions of botanic and its partners are working on that will Conservation (GSPC). gardens is not new (see Havens et al ., increase our ability to summarize and 2006 for an excellent example). However report on the work taking place at botanic In the United States, the primary national it is a pressing global challenge for BGCI gardens across the United States. strategy is the Plant Conservation Alliance’s (PCA) National Framework , adopted in 1995. The PCA is a multi- sector consortium of ten federal government Member Agencies and over 275 non-federal Cooperators (including 53 botanic gardens, as well as other non-profit organizations, foundations, and for-profit companies). This successful alliance provides funding for on-the-ground plant and habitat conservation and restoration projects via a matching funds grant program, acts as a forum for the exchange of ideas, sharing of best practices, and ultimately seeks to pool resources nationally while building capacity locally, eliminating duplication of effort and increasing program effectiveness.

An additional regional strategy related to the GSPC is the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Plant Conservation , Chicago Botanic Garden

24 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) • 24-28 PCA NATIONAL GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR NORTH AMERICAN BOTANIC GARDEN STRATEGY FOR FRAMEWORK PLANT CONSERVATION (GSPC) PLANT CONSERVATION

GROW PARTNERSHIPS & RESOURCES A. Build partnerships to cooperatively 15. Increase trained plant conservation staff, facilities E1. Increase national and international capacity for share resources and talents 16. Strengthen plant conservation networks (national, conservation and sustainable use of plant diversity regional, international E6. Better share and promote existing information to achieve plant conservation objectives

CONNECT PEOPLE & PLANTS B. Raise awareness about the 14. Promote education & awareness about plant diversity, D1. Communicate importance of plants to visitors importance of plant diversity and the need for conservation D2, E4-5. Engage in public-awareness campaigns, advocate need to conserve it and build constituency for plant conservation

CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES C. Promote ecosystem management to 4. World’s ecological regions conserved (10%) B1. Work collaboratively on in situ conservation conserve and restore native plant 5. High plant diversity areas protected (50%) B2. Increase ex situ conservation efforts communities 7. Threatened species conserved in situ (60%) B3. Increase participation in formal recovery planning 8. Threatened species in ex situ (60%) & recovery B4. Conserve economically/socially important plants programmes (10%) B5. Recognize role in invasive species management and 10. Manage major invasive species education

ENCOURAGE RESEARCH D. Encourage scientific research and 3. Develop research & experience-based models for B6. Expand support and contributions to basic and applied technological development plant conservation & sustainable use plant conservation research

PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY E. Determine and encourage 6. Production lands managed sustainably (30%) C1. Support and contribute to sustainable plant use appropriate and sustainable use of 9. Maintain genetic diversity of valuable species C2. Raise awareness, protect cultural and local indigenous native plants. Document indigenous 11. No endangerment from international trade knowledge and uses of plants knowledge 12. Plant-based products produced sustainably (30%) E2, E3. Incorporate conservation and sustainability into 13. Halt loss of plant resources, indigenous knowledge operations, share best-practices

GATHER, MAINTAIN & SHARE DATA F. Coordinate and promote data-sharing 1. Working list of all known species towards world flora A1. Work toward complete list of North American flora and compatible, economical & 2. Preliminary conservation assessment – all species A2. Review and contribute to conservation assessment of efficient databases North American flora

Box 1. Relationship between three strategies for plant conservation in the United States

The work of your garden, “regardless of size, shape or mission, is important, and we want to make sure it is counted. ” BGCI’s online databases – invaluable tools

The most comprehensive tools currently available to quantify the collective power of botanic gardens are BGCI’s online GardenSearch and PlantSearch Roof garden trial plots, Chicago Botanic Garden databases. Taken together, these databases provide an easy but powerful searches, for example to identify contact determine exactly how much of the way of quantifying the positive impacts of information for gardens with research world’s plant diversity is being botanic gardens. Here’s how: programs on invasive species biology and safeguarded by botanic gardens. control in the United States. PlantSearch is also a useful tool for GardenSearch is the only global individual gardens, because any institution database of botanical expertise and PlantSearch is the only comprehensive that uploads a list of taxa to this online resources in the world’s botanic gardens. global database of plant taxa growing in database will automatically receive: By searching on different keywords, the living collections. This makes it a (A) a free conservation assessment of their online interface of this database can be powerful tool for the entire botanic garden collections, (B) a way to identify potentially used to locate gardens in different community. If every garden were to misspelled names in their database and countries with expertise in botanical upload a simple list of taxa growing in (C) a way to directly connect their living research, conservation and education. their collections to this database (a free collections with a global network of plant Expanded off-line searching capabilities and easy process; see Hird and collections, botanic gardens and allow BGCI staff to perform more specific Dosmann, 2010), we would be able to researchers.

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 25 Chicago Botanic Garden

What BGCI’s databases reveal

Have you ever searched in vain for answers to questions like how many visitors do US gardens collectively receive every year, or how much of the world’s plant diversity is safeguarded in US botanic garden plant collections? Answers to questions like this are difficult, if not impossible to come by and, when available, they are often a very rough estimate at best. Having a source of quantitative information that can provide answers to these questions would be incredibly useful for the entire botanic garden community. Botanic gardens and arboreta are located in every state, and in nearly every major ecosystem, across the In the section below we present United States. This is a powerful presence and a significant resource. (Mapalist.com) summary data generated from information currently in BGCI’s gardens have indicated that they have an representing 181,000 taxa growing in GardenSearch and PlantSearch education program, and 50 of them 700 botanic garden collections in 112 databases (as of April 10, 2010). reported how many education staff this countries around the world. While this is Unfortunately, these databases do not program employs. All totaled, we can a significant number, there is much room yet provide a comprehensive analysis of report that at least 383 employees at for improvement, particularly here in the all botanic gardens or living collections public gardens in the United States are U.S., as this number includes collections in the United States, but data presented involved in education programs. As we information for only 73 U.S. botanic here is a first step in getting there: continue to gather and update data in the gardens. See below for details on how Currently, GardenSearch contains GardenSearch database this number will we are working to remedy this in 2010 records for 455 botanic gardens in the no doubt increase. See Tables 1 and 2 with the North American Collections US, as shown on the map below. for additional summary information on Assessment. education and conservation work A closer analysis of data in the currently available in BGCI’s How to use and contribute to GardenSearch database yields an GardenSearch database for the US. BGCI’s databases interesting array of statistics on education and conservation programs at And what can data in the PlantSearch As powerful as these databases are, botanic gardens and arboreta in the database tell us? Currently the entire they are only as useful as the data in United States. For example, 121 U.S. database contains 611,000 records them. BGCI tries to update information

26 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) Table 1: Education, training and outreach summary statistics for U.S. botanic gardens and arboreta

GardenSearch field Summary data as of April 2010 Number of education staff 383 staff (N = 50 gardens) Have an education program 121 gardens Education programs for K-12 students 52 gardens Education programs for university-level 35 gardens Education programs for visitors 89 gardens Number of visitors annually over 17 million (N = 79 gardens) Chicago Botanic Garden Number of volunteers engaged in activities 20,000 volunteers (N = 69 gardens) Amount of protected native habitat 6,000 hectares (N = 41 gardens) in GardenSearch whenever possible, Amount of managed public green space 32,000 hectares (N = 291 gardens) but with over 2,600 botanic gardens worldwide, this is a challenging task. We need your help to make sure information for your garden is correct. For this, we’ve made it easy for garden Table 2: Plant conservation and research summary statistics for U.S. staff to get free access to their botanic gardens and arboreta institution’s online GardenSearch profile, regardless of BGCI membership. Do you GardenSearch field Summary data as of April 2010 have a Garden Editor account? If not, Number of plant conservation and research staff 359 staff (N = 28 gardens) visit www.bgci.org/garden_apply.php to Have an herbarium 32 gardens set one up. By updating information in Number of accessions in herbaria over 15 million (N = 32 gardens) your institution’s profile, you can ensure Have a micropropagation/tissue culture facility 15 gardens your contributions are counted in global Have a seed bank 27 gardens analyses and reports generated by BGCI Plant conservation program 63 gardens summarizing the contributions of botanic Plant ecology research program 31 gardens gardens to the Global Strategy for Plant Invasive species biology research program 28 gardens Conservation in 2010 and beyond. Restoration ecology research program 21 gardens And once you have access to your Plant systematics/ research program 19 gardens institution’s GardenSearch account, it is Floristics research program 17 gardens easy to upload a simple list of taxa in Urban environment research program 15 gardens your collections to PlantSearch to make sure your collections are counted.

Apply to become a Garden “Editor and create or update your garden’s online BGCI profile! ” Other projects and resources

North American Collections Assessment: For gardens in the United States, Canada and Mexico, there has never been a better time to upload collections information to PlantSearch. In 2010, BGCI US is partnering with the United States Botanic Garden and the Arnold Arboretum to carry out this assessment, using PlantSearch as an easy way for gardens to make their collections count while getting important information in return. All gardens contributing information on living plant, seed bank or tissue culture collections before August 1st will ensure that their collections will count in (a) BGCI’s report to the Convention on Biological Diversity Wetland habitat at Chicago Botanic Garden as progress towards Target 8 of the

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 27 Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (60% of threatened plants in ex situ collections) and (b) an upcoming report on Conserving North America’s Threatened Plants . For more information on this project, visit www.bgci.org/usa/ makeyourcollectionscount. We are grateful for the contributions of collaborators on this project, including the Center for Plant Conservation, the American Public Gardens Association, Seeds of Success program, Canadian Botanical Conservation Network, and others.

Botanical Capacity Assessment Project: In partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden, BGCI US has been working to quantify the botanical resources and infrastructure present in Colourful display at Chicago Botanic Garden the U.S. government, academic, and private sectors (including botanic contributions to the PCA’s National , Havens, K., P. Vitt, M. Maunder, E. O. gardens), to identify critical gaps in Framework to help guide its evolution in Guerrant, and K. Dixon. 2006. Ex Situ capacity and make recommendations to a changing climate. This nationwide, Plant Conservation and Beyond. fill them. We are grateful to the nearly multi-sector project will utilize a BioScience 56 : 525-531. 100 staff from botanic gardens that combination of surveys, case studies joined over 1,500 others from across the and, for botanic gardens, information in , Hird, A. and M. Dosmann. 2010. nation in taking surveys developed for GardenSearch and PlantSearch. This Getting the most out of your BGCI this project. Your responses helped provides a fantastic opportunity to Plant Upload. BGjournal 7(1): 18-21. demonstrate the vitally important role demonstrate the important contributions botanic gardens play in filling gaps in of botanic gardens, and is yet another , PCA. 2010. The Plant Conservation botanical education, training, research reason to make sure information on your Alliance. Information at and application around the United garden is up to date in these databases. www.nps.gov/plants and States. Find more information on this www.bgci.org/usa/pca. project, including a recently-published References report and executive summary, at Acknowledgements www.bgci.org/usa/bcap. , BGCI. 2010. GardenSearch, available online at www.bgci.org/garden_ I am grateful to the many individuals who Assessing contributions to the PCA search.php and PlantSearch, available have helped focus this work and make National Framework: In 2010, BGCI online at www.bgci.org/plant_ these project happen, including Katie US will continue working with the Plant search.php. Summary statistics Everson (BGCI US volunteer), Kayri Conservation Alliance to assess downloaded April 10, 2010. Havens (co-chair of the Botanical Capacity Assessment Project Advisory Board), Peggy Olwell (Chair of the Plant Conservation Alliance), and Abby Hird, Ray Mims and Michael Dosmann, partners on the North American Collections Assessment.

Andrea Kramer BGCI US Executive Director BGCI at Chicago Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe IL 60022 USA Email: [email protected]

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

28 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) RESOURCES

Global Biodiversity A number of resources related to Global organisation based at University of Reading, Outlook 3 Biodiversity Outlook 3 are available on the UK and the Integrated Taxonomic CBD website.. These include: information System (ITIS) based in The third edition of Washington DC, the Catalogue is widely Global Biodiversity • A short executive summary document used by major global and regional Outlook (GBO-3), the which summarizes the main findings of biodiversity portals. The intergovernmental flagship publication GBO-3. This document is available in Global Biodiversity Information Facility of the Convention on Arabic, Chinese, English, French, (GBIF) and the Encyclopedia of Life (EoL) rely Biological Diversity Spanish, Russian and German. on it as the bedrock of their taxonomic (CBD) was launched • All the figures and tables used in the information. on 10 May 2010. Drawing on a range of report in both jpeg and illustrator format information sources, including National • A short PowerPoint presentation on the The Catalogue of Life can be used to: check Reports, biodiversity indicators information, main findings of GBO-3 the scientifically accepted name, spelling, scientific literature, and a study assessing • The Technical Series Reports and Good alternative names and distribution of a biodiversity scenarios for the future, GBO3 Practice Guidelines which were species; find the place of the organism in the summarizes the latest data on status and considered in prepaying GBO-3 taxonomic hierarchy; compile checklists of trends of biodiversity and draws • The Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 species in a particular area or taxonomic conclusions for the future strategy of the Official video (available from YouTube). group; find basic bibliographic resources; Convention. and carry out biodiversity analyses. For further information and to download GBO-3 confirms that the world has failed to the full report, visit: http://gbo3.cbd.int/ Plant data in the Catalogue is derived from a meet its target to achieve a significant home.aspx number of databases, with the World reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by Checklist of Selected Plant Families 2010. It warns that massive further loss of (http://apps.kew.org/) complied by the Royal biodiversity is becoming increasingly likely, Catalogue of Life 2010 Annual Checklist Botanic Gardens, Kew providing information and with it, a severe reduction of many A. F. Clewell and J. Aronson on 97 families of seed plants, including an essential services to human societies as almost complete list of the world’s several “tipping points” are approached, in The Catalogue of Life Special 2010 Edition is monocots. This data is supplemented by which ecosystems shift to alternative, less the world’s most complete and integrated data from a number of other plant productive states from which it may be species list. It has 77 databases feeding into databases, including: difficult or impossible to recover. The an inventory of 1,257,735 species of plants, document argues, however, that such , fungi and micro-organisms • Mosses from MOST (www.mobot.org/ outcomes are avoidable if effective and associated with 2,369,683 names. Co- mobot/tropicos/most/checklist.shtml) coordinated action is taken to reduce the ordinated by the international Species 2000 • Liverworts and hornworts from ELPT multiple pressures being imposed on (www.early-land-plants-today.org) biodiversity. • Conifers from Conifer Database • Cycads and 6 families The document outlines a possible new from IOPI-GPC (www.iopi.org) strategy for reducing biodiversity loss, • Brazil Nut family (LecyPages), learning the lessons from the failure to (http://sweetgum.nybg.org/lp) meet the 2010 target. It includes • Cranesbills (RJB Geranium), addressing the underlying causes or (www.rjb.csic.es/Geranium) indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, such as • Crucifers (Brassicaceae), http://www.cbif. patterns of consumption, the impacts of gc.ca/pls/spec/brassicaceae increased trade and demographic change. • Custard Apple family (AnnonBase), (www.annonaceae.org/)

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) • 29-30 29 • Legume family (ILDIS), (www.ildis.org) ISBN: 9780975219119 Confronting Biopiracy • Nightshade (Solanaceae Source), Published by the Australian Network for Daniel F. Robinson (www.solanaceaesource.org) Plant Conservation in partnership with • Sundew family (Droseraceae Database), the Australian Seed Conservation and “Biopiracy” refers either to the • Sunflower family (Global Compositae Research. October 2009 unauthorised extraction of biological Checklist - www.compositae.org/ Available to purchase on-line from resources, such as plants with medicinal checklist) CSIRO publishing: properties, and associated traditional • Waits Numi family (Lacistemataceae www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6188.htm knowledge from indigenous peoples and Holistic Database - local communities, or to the patenting of www.lacistemataceae.org) spurious “inventions” based on such Plant Resources for Food, Fuel and knowledge or resources without The Catalogue of Life contributes towards Conservation compensation. Biopiracy cases continue to assembling “a widely accessible working list Robert Henry emerge in the media and public eye, yet of known plant species” prioritised by the they remain the source of considerable Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Agriculture and food disagreement, confusion, controversy and Target 1. Further information is available at: production have a grief. The aim of this book is to provide the www.catalogueoflife.org large footprint on most detailed, coherent analysis of the the landscape issue of biopiracy to date. globally and Plant Germplasm Conservation in compete for space The book synthesises the rise of the issue Australia- Strategies and Guidelines with land for nature and increasing use of the term by activists for Developing, Managing and Utilising conservation. This and negotiators in the World Trade Ex Situ Collections book explores the Organization (WTO) and the Convention on Eds: Catherine A. Offord and Patricia competition Biological Diversity (CBD), to form a critical F. Meagher between the food understanding of the themes, implications needs of a growing human population and and politics of biopiracy. Taking a case- Strategies to the conservation of biodiversity as study based approach, derived from conserve Australia’s intensified by the emerging use of crops for interviews and fieldwork with researchers, unique native plant energy production. government, heritage depend on industry, local understanding how As concern about the impact of farmers, healers plant species greenhouse gas emissions on climate and indigenous function. The grows and oil prices increase, energy people, the author collection, storage production from agricultural crops has sequentially and study of plant become a significant industry. At the same documents events germplasm – time, growth in food demand due to that have occurred whether as seed, tissue samples, frozen population growth has been accelerated by in biopiracy and samples, or whole plants – helps us gain growing affluence associated with bioprospecting this knowledge. It provides research material economic growth in major developing controversies. to unlock the secrets of seed dormancy in countries increasing per capita Implications and the lab and in the wild; it allows us to consumption. Consumers are concerned ethical dilemmas are explored, particularly establish new wild populations of threatened that the price of food will continue to relating to work with local communities, species with the best chance of success; increase sharply as a result of this and the power relations entailed. Detailing and it provides an ‘insurance policy’ of competition but a loss of biodiversity may international debates from the WTO, CBD genetically representative samples, to guard be another major outcome. Drawing on his and other fora in an accessible manner, the against the risk of extinction and the new expertise in plant conservation genetics, book provides a unique overview of current threat of rapid climate change. the author provides a balanced appraisal of institutional limitations and suggests ways the potential for developing new or forward. Options and solutions are Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia improved crops for food or bioenergy suggested which are relevant for local includes the latest advances in ex situ production in the context of climate communities, national governments, germplasm conservation. Written by many change, while at the same time protecting international negotiators, NGO and interest of Australia’s foremost experts, they place biodiversity. groups, researchers and industry. the conservation of this country’s unique and varied plant life in a national and ISBN: 9781844077212 ISBN: 9781844077229 international context, outline the key Published by Earthscan. December 2009 Published by Earthscan. 2010 conservation treaties and strategies and www.earthscan.co.uk www.earthscan.co.uk provide a practical knowledge-kit for programmes requiring germplasm collection, storage, research and utilisation. Content is relevant for both long-term conservation storage and short-term revegetation seed banking.

30 BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) Please register your contributions to the International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation

International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation Registration Form

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This institution welcomes the International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation as a global framework for the development of institutional policies and programmes in plant conservation for botanic gardens.

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Please sign and detach this registration form and send it to The Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3BW, U.K.

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Please keep a duplicate copy of this form for your records.

BGCI • 2010 • BGjournal • Vol 7 (2) 31 How to join Botanic Gardens Conservation International and help us to save plants from extinction

Established in 1987, BGCI’s INSTITUTION members receive numerous benefits: BGCI links more than 500 • Opportunities for involvement in joint conservation and education projects • Tools and opportunities to influence global conservation policy and action botanic gardens and • Botanic Garden Management Resource Pack (upon joining)* conservation organizations • Regular publications: - Cuttings – newsletter on botanic gardens and plant conservation (2 per year) in 115 countries, working - BGjournal – an international journal for botanic gardens (2 per year) together to save - Roots - Environmental Education Review (2 per year) PLANTS FOR THE PLANET . - A wide range of publications and special reports • Invitations to BGCI congresses and discounts on registration fees • BGCI technical support and advisory services

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A BGCI Patron Institution 5000 8000 7500 B Institution member (budget more than US$2,250,000) 750 1200 1000 C Institution member (budget US$ 1,500,000 - 2,250,000) 500 800 650 D Institution member (budget US$ 750,000 - 1,500,000) 350 550 450 E Institution member (budget US$ 100,000 - 750,000) 185 300 250 F Institution member (budget below US$100,000)* 85 130 115 *Generally applies to institutions in less developed countries

INDIVIDUAL members and donors • Regular publications: support BGCI’s global network for - Cuttings – newsletter on botanic gardens and plant conservation (2 per year) plant conservation, and are - BGjournal - an international journal for botanic gardens (2 per year) connected to it through our - Roots - Environmental Education Review (2 per year) publications and events. • Invitations to BGCI congresses and discounts on registration fees Membership categories include:

Individual Membership £ Stlg US $ € Euros

J Conservation donor ( BGjournal , Roots and Cuttings reports and more) 250 400 350 K Associate member ( Cuttings and BGjournal ) 40 65 50 L Associate member ( Cuttings and Roots ) 40 65 50 M Friend ( Cuttings ) available through online subscription only (www.bgci.org) 10 15 15

Corporate Membership is available; please contact BGCI at [email protected] for further details.

*Contents of the Botanic Garden Management Resource Pack include: Darwin Technical Manual for Botanic Gardens, A Handbook for Botanic Gardens on the Reintroduction of Plants to the Wild, BGjournal - an international journal for botanic gardens (2 past issues), Roots - Environmental Education Review (2 past issues), The International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation, Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, Environmental Education in Botanic Gardens, additional recent BGCI reports and manuals. BG-Recorder (a computer software package for plant records) available on request. Payment may be made online at www.bgci.org/worldwide/members/, or by cheque (payable to Botanic Gardens Conservation International) or VISA/MasterCard sent to BGCI, Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3BW, U.K or Fax: +44 (0) 20 8332 5956.

K I wish to apply for BGCI’s INSTITUTION / INDIVIDUAL membership (circle one).

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Please clearly state your name (or the name of your institution) on all documentation. Please contact [email protected] for further information. Individuals in the U.S. can make tax-deductible contributions online at www.justgive.org or by contacting [email protected]. BGCI is a registered charity and company, limited by guarantee, in England and Wales, and in the U.S. as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Botanic Gardens This publication is supported by the Conservation International Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3BW, U.K. Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5953 Fax: +44 (0)20 8332 5956 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.bgci.org

Printed on 100% recycled paper ISSN 1811-8712

BOTANIC GARDENS: MODERN-DAY ARKS

The latest book from Sara Oldfield, BGCI’s Secretary General, shows how botanic gardens truly are ‘modern-day arks’ safeguarding species and saving resources on which we may soon depend.

The conservation role of botanic gardens has never been SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY more important. We rely on plants to feed us, shelter us, OFFER FOR BGCI MEMBERS provide fuel, supply the raw materials for medicines and maintain a stable environment. Yet a staggering one-third of all flowering plant species are threatened with BOTANIC GARDENS: extinction. MODERN-DAY ARKS In Botanic Gardens: Modern-Day Arks, Sara Oldfield takes New Holland Publishers, UK (2010) a fascinating insider’s view of a selection of the world’s ISBN: 978 184773 5195 botanic gardens, introducing some of the scientists and their vital work to save the plants on which we all depend. OFFER: 30% discount plus free postage and With photographs supplied by botanists from around the packaging until December 2010 globe, this book demonstrates that the modern botanic garden in much more than just a pretty place. Order on-line quoting the promotional code “BGCI”

www.newhollandpublishers.com Publication date: 1st June 2010 Price: £24.99