Planning Future NACPEC Plant Exploration: Challenges and Opportunities Kunso Kim, Kris Bachtell, and Kang Wang he North America–China Plant Explora- ducting any plant exploration in China rests tion Consortium (NACPEC) is an innova- upon consent from the host country based on Ttive partnership formed in 1991 between mutually agreed terms. As a consequence, the American and Chinese institutions to organize consortium may see increasing restrictions and conduct plant explorations in China. Since imposed by the Chinese government on cer- its inception, this collaborative effort has been tain collecting areas including national parks successful in collecting many botanically and and reserves that are often biologically rich. horticulturally important plants including Described in the same article is another provi- paperbark maple (Acer griseum), Farges filbert sion called “Access and Benefit Sharing” that (Corylus fargesii), and Chinese stewartia (Stew- requires the consortium to establish a clear artia sinensis). During the two decades of its understanding of how the benefits should be existence, NACPEC has witnessed dramatic shared. Participating countries are required to changes occurring around the globe that have share with the host country any benefits arising profoundly affected the consortium’s collecting from commercialization or other utilization of efforts, most notably the Convention on Biolog- the genetic resources. In the past, NACPEC has ical Diversity, the complexity of ex situ plant made good faith efforts to honor this provision conservation, the impacts of climate change, by training Chinese students in plant curation the spread of invasive species, and the tighten- and database management, hosting a number ing of import/export regulations. These issues of Chinese scientists during their extended have challenged us to rethink the way we plan visits to the United States, supporting BG-Base and organize plant explorations as the consor- and BG-Map at the Beijing Botanical Garden tium moves forward into the next decade. (IBCAS), supporting field work inside China by a number of Chinese botanists, and by Current Issues and Challenges sharing a portion of the royalties from the sale Convention on Biological Diversity of plants through the Chicagoland Grows® The Convention on Biological Diversity Plant Introduction Program. (CBD) is an international treaty signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment Ex Situ Plant Conservation and Development (also called the “Earth Sum- Conserving rare species has always been one mit”) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The of the objectives in the consortium’s collecting key component relevant to NACPEC activi- trips (Meyer 2000). Despite the high priority ties is Article 15, Access to Genetic Resources given to horticulturally important plants, the (CBD 1999). This provision endorses the sov- consortium’s annual inventory survey includes ereign rights of countries over their biological 52 accessions that are on the current IUCN Red resources. The article not only offers countries List of Threatened Species. Should future explo- an opportunity to revamp their efforts in con- rations emphasize collecting red-listed plants servation of biodiversity and sustainable uses, as the major goal? As habitat loss in China con- but also gives them leverage over their natural tinues to increase and more public gardens are resources. In essence, the possibility of con- responding to the plea to participate in ex situ Facing page top: Farges filbert (Corylus fargesii), a promising tree species for landscape use, was collected in this river terrace habitat in Gansu. Bottom: A temple within the Lingkongshan Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis) national preserve, one of a number of botanically rich national preserves in China. Photos by Kris Bachtell. 42 Arnoldia 68/2 When human development encroaches on the habitat of threatened plant species, ex situ conservation may be the key to prevent- ing species extinction. Here, the “suburbs” of a village in Hubei expand up a steep terraced slope. Photo by Peter Del Tredici. plant conservation, there is an opportunity for ER y A the consortium to renew its efforts and play a M more active role in acquiring threatened species obert and sampling species from different populations R to get a better representation of genetic diversity. The consortium is uniquely positioned to expand its ex situ conservation role. It has established successful collaborations with Chinese institu- tions, gained invaluable field experience, and established a high standard of documentation that holds important information for breeding, evalu- ation, and conservation purposes (Bachtell 2000). Capitalizing on its experience and collaborations, future explorations can contribute to advancing the goal of preserving 60% of threatened plant species in accessible ex situ collections as laid Some widely grown landscape plants of Asian origin have become invasive in parts of North America. One out in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation example is winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus), a Target 8 (CBD 2005). Future plant exploration popular shrub also known as burning bush because of with conservation in mind will need to priori- its bright carmine red fall color. Future NACPEC Plant Exploration 43 tize species by conservation concern and sam- While the above criteria are still valid, bio- ple multiple populations in order to maximize logical invasiveness has emerged as an area of genetic diversity. When sampling from within concern. The need to screen introduced plants populations, care must be taken to collect suf- for non-invasive characteristics has become ficient germplasm to maximize the capture of a high priority for the consortium, which has genetic diversity for long-term seed storage, or stepped up its efforts by excluding from expedi- clonal stands for taxa that have recalcitrant seeds. tion target taxa lists any potentially invasive species. At the same time, participating gar- Introducing Horticulturally Superior Plants dens need to develop vigorous risk assessment This was at the heart of initial NACPEC plant protocols to determine the invasive potential exploration efforts and remains an important of lesser known species from the pool of plants goal for the consortium. The definition of a that are maintained in living collections before superior plant in the early days of NACPEC they reach reproductive stage. Use of reliable plant exploration often meant that a plant predictive modeling to assess invasive risk can should have increased cold hardiness, tolerance allow the consortium to avoid time-consuming to stressful conditions (including urban land- screening and expensive processing in the field scapes), and resistance to pests and diseases. (Widrlechner 2009). Exciting plants with such traits are in the pro- cess of being introduced and others are being Climate Change developed through breeding and selection pro- Climate change has a huge implication for bio- grams utilizing the rich germplasm of plants diversity and consequently on the consortium’s the consortium has assembled. future collecting initiatives. Major vegetation ER y E l M AU P Large expanses of forest in China have been cut down and burned to make way for ginseng cultivation. 44 Arnoldia 68/2 REDICI REDICI l T l T E E D D ETER ETER P P Ginseng requires shade to grow, so the forests are replaced with vast expanses of low shade structures, seen here in the Changbai Shan area. shifts are predicted by various climatic models. the collecting zones towards warmer regions Hawkins (2008) states three different possibili- or lower altitudes and latitudes in response to ties: (1) some plants will adapt to new climate anticipated vegetation shifts? conditions through selection or plasticity; (2) Import/Export Regulations some plants will move to higher latitudes or alti- tudes; or (3) other plants may become extinct. It NACPEC members who participated in past is predicted that continued climate change will plant explorations are familiar with the com- ultimately drive many plants to extinction. An plexity of obtaining collecting permits in average world temperature rise of 2 to 3°C over China. Compliance with rules governing col- the next 100 years will result in up to 50% of the 400,000 or so higher plants being threatened with extinction (Hawkins 2008). How should NACPEC’s future plant explorations respond to climate change? Studying climate analogues has provided the most useful information to NACPEC in planning the potential target areas in China. The consortium considers seasonal rainfall, mean seasonal temperatures, and sum- mer high and winter low temperatures to iden- tify the target areas (Meyer 2000). Will it be Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Photo by David necessary for NACPEC to reconsider expanding Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org. Future NACPEC Plant Exploration 45 The 2008 NACPEC expedition focused on collecting Chinese ash species. This large specimen of Fraxinus insularis grows near a country house in Shaanxi. Photo by Kris Bachtell. lecting permits and germplasm importation is the exporting country (USDA 2008). In view absolutely necessary, yet it is one of the most of recent insect and disease outbreaks such as cumbersome aspects of any plant exploration. emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), Asian With the CBD recognition of countries’ sov- longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), ereign rights over their natural resources, it and sudden oak death