Abstract
To date, there have been only limited attempts to conceptually unify ex situ and in situ approaches as parts of an integrated conservation methodology. This paper is an attempt of such conceptual integration of existing approaches for the efficient conservation of rare and endangered plant species. My integration of available plant conservation biology literature is based on the idea that ecologically significant species genetic variation is of primary importance for plant conservation. This idea is used for providing guidelines about inventory of existing populations, sampling and propagating sampled material, and use of this material in species recovery actions.
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to Peter Raven for constructive suggestions. This project was supported by the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams.