N.B. This page is not being updated but remains as a useful historical reference.


A Reference List For Plant Re-introductions, Recovery Plans and Restoration Programmes


Version 1 , September 1995

Peter J. Atkinson; Mike Maunder
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB. England, UK
Kerry S. Walter
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR. Scotland, UK.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group
World Conservation Monitoring Centre


This reference list has been compiled as a collaborative exercise between the SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group of IUCN - the World Conservation Union, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC). The project is supported by a donation from the Esmée Fairbairn Charitable Trust.

A Reference List for Plant Re-introductions, Recovery Plans and Restoration Programmes

Introduction
Background and History
IUCN / Species Survival Commission (SSC)
IUCN / SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group
The Conservation Projects Development Unit, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC)
BG-BASE

Introduction

The following reference list is a review of the available literature on plant re-introductions, recovery plans and restoration programs. Plant re-introductions are increasingly being used as a means of reinstating extirpated species, or to aid the recovery of severely reduced plant populations. Although re-introductions are generally a high risk, high cost exercise, they can play an important role in species conservation as well as in raising public awareness to the plight of both endangered taxa and their associated habitats. This reference list aims to provide those working in this field with a source of baseline information.

These references form part of a larger database (BG-BASE) maintained by the Conservation Projects Development Unit (CPDU) and the Micropropagation Unit at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew). Where known family, genus, species and geographical information are linked to each reference.

Names, addresses and information on projects (planned, active and completed), relating to plant re-introductions, recovery plans and restoration programs are also being compiled.

The project aims to build and maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date reference list for use as a resource by those involved in plant re-introduction and recovery work. The ultimate aim is to have as comprehensive a list as possible of species which are the subject of species and habitat recovery work, linked to projects, contacts and relevant literature.

This reference list is just a beginning. We would like to receive comments and any new references which should be included. We are particularly interested to gather unpublished reports.

This work has been produced as a collaborative exercise between the IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), and is supported by a generous donation from the Esmée Fairbairn Charitable Trust.

For further information contact:

Mr. Peter Atkinson,
Conservation Projects Development Unit,
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK.
Fax: +44 (0)181 332 5582
email: p.atkinson@rbgkew.org.uk.

Background and History

Collation of this dataset was started in 1992 by Tony Aiello, an intern at RBG Kew, sponsored by the Garden Club of America; Mike Maunder, Head of the Conservation Projects Development Unit (CPDU) at RBG Kew; and Dr. Kerry S. Walter, then Head of the Threatened Plants Unit, The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC).

Initial data came from Threatened Plants Database, maintained by WCMC, the database used to compile the World Plant Conservation Bibliography, (Royal Botanic Garden, Kew & The World Conservation Monitoring Centre. 1990. London. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 645 pp.) This dataset has been continuously updated since publication of the Bibliography in 1990. In 1993 the relevant plant re-introduction references were copied to a separate database at RBG Kew. This dataset has subsequently been revised and is continuously being updated.

The IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group is committed to expanding its plant conservation work. This database will provide a major source of information as well as guidance for plant re-introduction projects in the future.

IUCN / Species Survival Commission (SSC)

IUCN/SSC Home Page

The Species Survival Commission is the largest of the six commissions of voluntary networks working under the umbrella of IUCN - the World Conservation Union. Although IUCN's full, legal name is the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, it is more commonly known as IUCN - the World Conservation Union. IUCN is unique among international organisations in that it includes both governmental (state and government agencies) and non-governmental (organisation) members. The SSC, is a global network of over 6,000 volunteer experts providing technical expertise to IUCN for the conservation of species and their habitats.

The Mandate of SSC:

  • The members of IUCN approve a mandate for the SSC every three years at their General Assembly. The current mandate includes the following mission, goals, and objectives:

Mission:

  • To conserve biological diversity by developing and executing programmes to save, restore and manage wisely species and their habitats.

Purpose:

  • To mobilise action by the world conservation community on behalf of species, in particular those threatened with extinction and those of importance for human welfare.

Goals:

  • To assess the conservation status of species world-wide
  • To identify conservation priorities for species and their habitats and develop strategies for their conservation
  • To initiate the actions necessary for the survival of species
  • To develop and promote policies for species conservation
  • To provide an expert resource network on the conservation of biodiversity

Objectives:

  • To promote the practical implementation of the principles of Caring for the Earth, with particular emphasis on the conservation of biological diversity and on ensuring that the utilisation of species does not exceed sustainable levels.
  • To assess species conservation priorities through an Action Planning programme, assemble regional summaries of priorities in species and habitat conservation, and deliver the recommendations of Action Plans and regional biodiversity assessments to appropriate agencies and organisations within the global conservation community, with particular emphasis on IUCN's members.
  • To promote the implementation of species conservation Action Plans by governmental and non-governmental conservation agencies, with particular emphasis on IUCN's members.
  • To develop policies and guidelines pertaining to the conservation of species and genetic resources and to bring these to the attention of governments and the conservation community.
  • To provide technical advisory services to IUCN and its members and partners on the development and implementation of projects and programmes relating to conservation of species and biological diversity (including development and screening of project proposals).
  • To maintain, guide and strengthen the Species Survival Commission, a global network of volunteer experts and organisations concerned with the conservation of species.
  • To communicate the work of the Species Survival Commission to IUCN members, non-member governments, development assistance agencies, the broader conservation community, and the general public, in order to encourage maximum use of its expertise and services; and to ensure that SSC members are fully informed of major activities within the Commission, and how their own work is contributing to the overall programme of SSC and IUCN.
  • To gather data pertinent to the conservation of species through SSC's volunteer network and to manage these data in a standardised, distributed, computerised database.
For further information contact: Dr Wendy Strahm, Plants Officer, IUCN Species Survival Programme, rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland. Fax: +41 22 999 0015; email was@hq.iucn.ch.

IUCN/SSC Re-Introduction Specialist Group

IUCN/SSC Guidelines for Re-introductions

At present, there is an increasing number of re-introduction projects being undertaken; accordingly there is an urgent need to promote contact between project teams to encourage the free flow of information. With this in mind the Re-introduction Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission was initiated in 1988 with the following priorities:

  1. To produce a document setting out procedures and protocols for any re-introductions, with a multi-disciplinary range of considerations and requirements.
  2. To identify priority species and sites for re-introductions. For instance ex situ conservation agencies have a particular problem with provision of information and planning for re-introductions. Planned re-introduction projects are comparatively few compared with the large number of endangered plants maintained in cultivation.
  3. To promote re-introductions where appropriate and likely to succeed, through provision of technical advise, project design and assistance with promotion.

The Re-introduction Specialist Group - Plant Section, is anxious to develop links between plant re-introduction projects and to encourage the flow of information. Individuals or institutions involved in plant re-introduction projects are invited to contact the group at the following address:

Mike Maunder, Plants Chair, IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK. Fax: +44 (0)181 332 5582

Conservation Projects Development Unit, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

The Conservation Project Development Unit (CPDU) is responsible for:

  • management and co-ordination of species conservation projects
  • identification of priority species for ex situ projects
  • development of protocols for conservation managers
  • management of habitat conservation and sustainable development projects
  • provision of international advisory and training function

The Unit works closely with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of IUCN - the World Conservation Union, Fauna and Flora International (FFI), the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh (RBGE), the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust (JWPT) and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

In-Country Programmes

The Unit has a number of regional programmes promoting species and habitat conservation; this is underpinned by a commitment to institutional strengthening and capacity building.

St Helena, South Atlantic

The Sustainable Environment and Development Strategy (SEDS) for the island of St Helena, in collaboration with IIED, the St Helena Working Group and funded by ODA, is a case study for the application of Agenda 21. The Unit is working with the St Helena government to develop a sustainable development strategy that recognises the need to balance economic, social and ecological systems. The project aims to secure the island's fragile ecology and to combine the mutually supportive aims of attaining the economic and social ambitions of the islanders and prevent species and habitat loss. This participatory process is island driven and will encourage participation and consensus building in all aspects of island development.

Mauritius and Rodrigues

Habitat restoration and threatened species programme for Mauritius and Rodrigues. Funding has been obtained from the Global Environment Fund (GEF), in collaboration with FFI and JWPT. Staff and students from Kew are assisting plant conservation programmes on the islands. Kew has provided conservation training for colleagues from Mauritius and Rodrigues. The project will focus on the restoration of degraded vegetation and is working with the Mauritian NGO, the Mauritian Wildlife Appeal Fund

Kenya

The Unit works closely with the Plant Propagation and Conservation Unit of the National Museums of Kenya, developing conservation protocols and training packages. This project is funded by ODA and aims to strangthen local and regional capacity of plant conservation

Training

With the Education Department and Seed Conservation Section CPDU runs the "International Diploma in Plant Conservation Techniques" now in its third year (1995), attended by a total of 25 students from 14 countries. The aim of the course is to introduce plant conservationists to the range of techniques available to support plant conservation. This course was undertaken with the collaboration and support of a number of international bodies including the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN, IPGRI and BGCI.

Single Species Propagation Programmes

The CPDU is reviewing Kew's living collections and identifying priorities for conservation management. Recovery plans are drafted in collaboration with botanic gardens and conservation agencies in countries of origin. Currently Kew has conservation programmes running for a number of species, selected examples are listed below:

  • Sophora toromiro: The CPDU is co-ordinating an international management group for this species involving European botanic gardens and CONAF, Chile. An experimental re-introduction using plants from Bonn Botanic Garden took place during late 1995 within the context of strengthening the conservation infra-structure on Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
  • Abeliophyllum distichum: A joint research and conservation programme developed with Yeunam University, South Korea.
  • Alsinidendron trinerve: Kew propagated material is currently being used in a re- introduction programme in Hawai'i.
  • Hibiscus liliiflorus: A collaborative programme with Waimea Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Hawai'i, and Rodrigues Forestry Unit.
  • Ramosmania heterophylla: A collaborative programme of training and facility strengthening with the Rodrigues Forestry Unit.
  • Tecophilaea cyanocrocus: A collaborative project with CONAF, Chile, Kew and the Alpine Garden Society.

Databases

On behalf of the Re-Introduction Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission (IUCN) the CPDU maintains a bibliographic database on plant conservation techniques, plant re-introductions, recovery programs and habitat restoration. This work is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Charitable Trust.

Conclusion

The CPDU is developing an integrated approach to species and habitat conservation. The Unit has expertise in the co-ordination and development of multi-disciplinary projects supporting national strategies for biodiversity and sustainable development. Particular emphasis is being given to the development of techniques for the conservation of island biotas.

For additional information, please contact:

Mike Maunder, Conservation Projects Development Unit, Living Collections Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, United Kingdom. Fax: +44 (0)181-332-5582; email p.atkinson@rbgkew.org.uk

World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC)

The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) provides information services on the conservation and sustainable use of species and ecosystems and supports others in the development of their own information systems. The Centre provides advice and information services not only to its three founder organisations, IUCN - The World Conservation Union, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), but also to development aid agencies, UN agencies, international convention secretariats, government and non-governmental organisations, the media, commerce and industry.

Threatened Plants Database

Of the estimated 270,000 kinds of higher (vascular) plants on earth today, over 10% are threatened with extinction. Through its Threatened Plants Database, WCMC manages information on plants of conservation concern throughout the world: the only organisation to do so on a global scale. Data is collated from a wide range of sources, principally published national plant red lists and information provided by IUCN/SSC specialist groups. Further data is obtained from the network of botanical contacts established by WCMC over many years and a wide range of published and unpublished sources.

Taxonomic, distribution and conservation information are all held on the Threatened Plants Database (BG-BASE). Currently more than 85,000 kinds of plants (sp. etc.) are listed, many data fields being directly linked to the Datasource file, currently listing over 17,700 bibliographic references. On this database (the largest plant conservation database in the world) data is recorded on single-country endemics and all other plants of conservation concern at the national and sometimes sub-national level. More recently, data has been gathered on tropical timber species, wild relatives of crop plants, plants of ethnobotanical or pharmaceutical value and plants present in protected areas. Currently the database is being developed to include all tree species, irrespective of conservation status.

Conservation information at WCMC, including information on the threat status of plants is provided to a wide range of users. A key aim is to ensure that the best possible data is provided so that planning and policy decisions concerning conservation are made based on the best available information.

Data can be provided on request, either as hard copy or in electronic format. Sample data may be accessed through the World Wide Web (http://www.wcmc.org.uk) and Anonymous FTP Servers.(ftp.wcmc.org.uk)

For additional information, please contact:

Harriet Gillett
World Conservation Monitoring Centre
219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL UK
Tel: +44 1223 277314
Fax: +44 1223 277136
email: harriet.gillett@wcmc.org.uk

BG-BASE

BG-BASE is a relational database management application used by both the World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to manage bibliographic information on plant conservation issues. It is part of an over-all system designed specifically to manage information on biological collections (living, preserved, germplasm) and conservation (taxonomy, distribution, conservation status, legal status, bibliographic) and is widely used around the world.

Its special strengths are its variable-length and multi-value fields, which allow for unparalleled power and flexibility on storing and manipulating textual information. The bibliographic module of BG-BASE produces camera-ready-copy of reference lists selected and sorted by a wide variety of categories, including keywords, taxonomy, and geography.

BG-BASE is developed and supported from the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh and the Holden Arboretum, OH, USA. Further information on the use of BG-BASE can be obtained from:

Kerry S. Walter
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Inverleith Row, Edinburgh
EH3 5LR Scotland, UK
(email: k.walter@rbge.org.uk)