Species-targeted plant conservation: time for conceptual integration

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.

Keywords:

• protected areas
• endangered plants
• species recovery
• translocation
• reinforcement
• reintroduction
• quasi in situ
• population viability analysis
• plant conservation
• conservation strategy
• integrated conservation

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.