Register of Expertise in Ex Situ Conservation Best Practices for Exceptional Plant Species |
Register of Expertise in Ex Situ Conservation Best Practices for Exceptional Plant Species
As a major ex situ conservation method, successful seed banking depends on a number of conditions and standards. These include that seeds must be available, be amenable to seed banking conditions of equilibrating with 15% relative humidity and -20oC, remain viable over a reasonable length of time at those conditions, as well as germinate and produce plants when they are removed from the seed bank. However, not all plant species lend themselves to current best practice seed banking techniques. Taxa for which any of the aforementioned principles cannot be accomplished, and for which ex situ conservation methods other than seed banking are required, have been referred to as ‘exceptional’ (Pence, 2011). More specifically, these include plants with:
As a major ex situ conservation method, successful seed banking depends on a number of conditions and standards. These include that seeds must be available, be amenable to seed banking conditions of equilibrating with 15% relative humidity and -20oC, remain viable over a reasonable length of time at those conditions, as well as germinate and produce plants when they are removed from the seed bank. However, not all plant species lend themselves to current best practice seed banking techniques. Taxa for which any of the aforementioned principles cannot be accomplished, and for which ex situ conservation methods other than seed banking are required, have been referred to as ‘exceptional’ (Pence, 2011). More specifically, these include plants with:
- no or non-viable seeds
- desiccation-sensitive seeds
- cold-sensitive seeds
- short-term viability seeds
- other challenges, including taxa with seeds that are infrequently available, limited in number, restricted in access or unsuitable for the intended conservation purpose.
Based on previous reviews, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the Exceptional Plant Conservation Network (EPCN) are carrying out a questionnaire survey to populate an online register on Expertise in Ex Situ Conservation Best Practices for Exceptional Plant Species – a directory of professionals, expertise and facilities. Your participation through filling in this form will benefit both stakeholders with specific interest in exceptional plant species conservation as well as the conservation community at large.
The information you provide will be made available on BGCI’s and EPCN’s resources website sections, bgci.org/resources/index and cincinnatizoo.org/conservation/crew/exceptional-plant-conservation-network.
Thank you very much for taking the time to fill in the questionnaire!
Based on previous reviews, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the Exceptional Plant Conservation Network (EPCN) are carrying out a questionnaire survey to populate an online register on Expertise in Ex Situ Conservation Best Practices for Exceptional Plant Species – a directory of professionals, expertise and facilities. Your participation through filling in this form will benefit both stakeholders with specific interest in exceptional plant species conservation as well as the conservation community at large.
The information you provide will be made available on BGCI’s and EPCN’s resources website sections, bgci.org/resources/index and cincinnatizoo.org/conservation/crew/exceptional-plant-conservation-network.
Thank you very much for taking the time to fill in the questionnaire!