Ex situ conservation of threatened native plants in Finland: analysis of the current status

Abstract

Habitat destruction, invasive species, climate change and other threats to plant diversity are requiring increased conservation efforts. Priority is appropriately given to in situ conservation, but the important contribution that ex situ conservation can make is increasingly being recognised. In Finland, extensive seemingly intact natural areas have so far led authorities to consider ex situ conservation activities largely unnecessary. Botanic gardens, with estimated living collections of 80 000 plant species worldwide, cultivate valuable plant material that can be used in recovery and reintroduction programmes. Recently, gardens all over the world have started to survey their collections. The results to date have revealed some very valuable collections but also highlighted inadequate databasing, narrow genetic representation and various genetic problems. As a part of an EU Life+ funded initiative, 4 Finnish botanic garden collections were investigated in order to find nationally threatened vascular plant species of known wild origin. Accessions were assessed for their potential use in future reintroduction programmes by ranking the quality of origin data and genetic intactness. Seventy-seven accessions from 56 vascular plant target taxa were found cultivated as living plants, representing 18% of Finland's nationally threatened taxa. The findings of this Finnish survey are similar to studies completed for botanic gardens elsewhere showing that there are deficiencies in intraspecific and within-population diversity. However, the accuracy of origin data and genetic intactness of the accessions were comparatively high. This survey forms the basis of the current development of a national plant ex situ action plan.

The role of urban tropical botanic gardens in biodiversity conservation: An example from the KNUST botanic garden in Kumasi, Ghana

“…The prevalence of native species in the garden confirms that, indeed, TBGs have the potential to conserve native plant species in their local climate conditions (Chen et al, 2009). It also points out the potential role of botanic gardens as important source of native plant materials which is in line with recent increasing attention to the use of native species in afforestation and restoration programs (Miranto et al, 2012; Thomas et al, 2014; Vander Mijnsbrugge, 2014). This result also reflects a high prospect of TBGs in terms of their role in integrated conservation efforts as far as ex‐situ conservation is concern (Havens et al, 2006; Oldfield, 2009; Mounce et al, 2017).…”

“…Many botanic garden institutions are increasingly finding ways to optimize the conservation function of their plant resources. For example, some Finnish botanic gardens have been surveyed to identify nationally threatened species as part of a national action plan for ex‐situ conservation (Miranto et al, 2012). In Ghana, conservation in botanic gardens is a vital component of a national strategy under the Convention on Biological Diversity framework (Attuaquayefio & Fobil, 2005; Hackman, 2014).…”

Dianthus superbus as a critically endangered species in Latvia: evaluation of its growth conditions and conservation possibilities

“…The most effective approach for conservation of endangered plant species can be achieved by combining in situ and ex situ conservation methods ( Miranto et al 2012 ; Cristea et al 2013 ). Although D. superbus is included in the list of specially protected vascular plants for which micro-reserves shall be established (Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia No.…”

“…The decline of suitable habitats is considered to be a major threat for the species ( Miranto et al 2012 ; Allen et al 2014 ). Due to changes in land use and agricultural practices, the natural or semi-natural habitats of D. superbus were intensively farmed or practically abandoned in the last century in Europe, resulting in highly fragmented or extinct habitats.…”

Estimating vegetative reproduction and population size of Saussurea esthonica

“…During the past decades increasing attention has been focussed on ex situ conservation of rare plant species, and in vitro, seed bank and field collections of endangered plants have been created (Dubova et al 2010;Kaninski et al 2012;Miranto et al 2012;Cristea et al 2013). However, in situ conservation remains to be one of the fundamental methods of species protection.…”