How to Save Plants - Approaches to Plant Conservation


BGCI: The global network Our work Preventing plant extinctions Africa Central and South America China North America Russia and Georgia Southeast Asia Plants for people Medicinal plants Human well-being The Global Trees Campaign Magnolia Oaks Policy frameworks Gran Canaria II GSPC BGCI Policy Tools International Agenda 2010 BG Targets International Frameworks Plants2010 Regional & National Frameworks CITES Manual Education Our supporters and partners Join in Resource centre Education centre Climate change information centre PlantSearch GardenSearch Sign up to our newsletter:	Our work > How to Save Plants - Approaches to Plant Conservation How to Save Plants - Approaches to Plant Conservation What can we do to tackle to many threats that plants face around the world? In situ conservation is the conservation of species in their natural setting, allowing us to maintain natural systems and processes. Ex situ conservation is the conservation of species removed from their natural setting, safe-guarding the plants even if their natural habitats are destroyed or their populations decimated. This also allows the possibility of restoring degraded natural systems. Sustainability of plant use and generally sustainable living is ultimately necessary if we are to ensure the long-term conservation of all our natural resources. At present we do not properly value the many benefits of our natural resources, so our activities tend to deplete and degrade them, even though they are essential for human-kind's survival and well-being. Major Threats to Plant Diversity It is estimated that there are 270,000 plant species in the world, and one in eight are threatened with extinction. This page describes the main threats, and provides links to more information. Read more... Links: Conservation Organisations We've been compiling links relating to plant conservation that you might find useful. Read more... Conservation Projects in Africa Read more... The GSPC - A Plan to Save the World's Plant Species Working through a unique partnership of international and national organisations, Parties, other Governments and NGOs, the 'Convention on Biological Diversity' has developed a "Global Strategy for Plant Conservation". Botanic gardens are getting involved and BGCI is a key player in the partnership. Read more... Find Out More Plants for a Future Plants For A Future is a resource centre for rare and unusual plants, particularly those which have edible, medicinal or other uses. The site features a database of plants to help humanity discover and use a wider range than the twenty plants that provide the majority of our food. PlantCollections - A Community Solution The Chicago Botanic Garden, in collaboration with APGA, the University of Kansas, and 15 public gardens nationwide, is developing PlantCollections, an online database to help analyse combined holdings, a first step in coordinating a continent-wide approach to plant germplasm preservation. The National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens The NCCPG supports 650 collections in Britain of cultivated (garden) plants, by encouraging (through it's members) the propagation and conservation of endangered garden plants in the British Isles (both species and cultivars). The remit includes research, history, cultural background, and education.	Journal Articles Collaboration for Conservation July 1998 The Importance of Community Involvement in Conservation December 2001 *Malabar Daffodil Orchid, Ipsea malabarica, on the Verge of Extinction* May 1994 Botanic Gardens and Plant Conservation in India May 1994 Related News It's the First Plant Conservation Day Today 18th May 2006 International Training Program on Plant Conservation 6th September 2005 Managing Ecosystems to Fight Poverty 2nd May 2006 International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation The International Agenda is a global policy framework for botanic gardens worldwide to contribute to biodiversity conservation. Find out more about how botanic gardens are contributing here. Have your say! BGCI Membership Questionnaire 2008 BGCI is striving to improve the services that we provide to our members. We need your help in order to do this. Please take 5 minutes to submit our Membership Questionnaire.