Conservation and climate change news
Plants have an essential role to play in mitigating the effects of climate change, because they take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Conversely, if forests are destroyed by burning, then carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere. Deforestation accounts for about one fifth of the world’s carbon emissions.
However, plants are threatened by environmental changes including climate change. Conserving plants is therefore critical to any sustainable solution to environmental change.
Kew's work in this area | Adopt a seed for £25 and help Kew protect plant life
Millennium Seed Bank hits 10% target
On 15 October 2009 Kew's Millennium Seed Bank partnership, based at Wakehurst Place, celebrated hitting its target of banking the seeds of 10% of the world's plant species.
International Diploma Courses at Kew
In response to the demands of the wider plant conservation community for solutions-oriented training in skills and strategies supporting worldwide efforts to solve the biodiversity crisis, Kew offers a programme of international diploma courses in herbarium techniques, botanic garden management, botanic garden education and plant conservation strategies.
Kew to explore the role of DNA technology in restoring damaged habitats
15 Apr 2010
Scientists at Kew are looking into the use of DNA technology to help analyse and restore areas of land that have been harmed or destroyed. This is part of Kew's new research programme in restoration ecology that will reach around the world.
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Walking Tour: Biodiversity - what's it all about?
Sat 01 May - Thu 30 September 2010Guided walk around Kew Gardens
Protecting plant life from illegal trade
30 Mar 2010
In the week of the fifteenth meeting of the conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITIES) in Doha, Kew's Bronwen Davies investigates the application of DNA technology in plant science and conservation. Bronwen talks to Kew's Professor Monique Simmonds about the practical applications of DNA barcoding in the protection of plant species at risk from illegal trade.
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Vegetation Survey training course
This practical two-week Vegetation Survey course, led by specialists from Kew's Botanical and Geographical Information Systems teams, offers an introduction to the techniques and technology available for classifying and mapping vegetation at regional and local scales. It is particularly designed for those carrying out surveys for conservation agencies or extractive industries.
Tropical Plant Identification course
During this two-week Tropical Plant Identification course, Kew botanists share their expertise in identifying plants from the biodiversity-rich tropical regions of the world.
International Diploma in Plant Conservation Strategies
The International Diploma in Plant Conservation Strategies offers an overview of the range of in situ and ex situ options for conserving plant diversity, taking into account the targets and aims of international conservation conventions.
International Diploma in Botanic Garden Education
The International Diploma in Botanic Garden Education, developed jointly by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), provides an opportunity for botanic garden educators to develop programmes within the context of international conservation and sustainability legislation and to try out a wide range of environmental education activities.
Working together for a sustainable snowdrop trade
15 Feb 2010
Kew is working in partnership to survey populations of snowdrops in Georgia. The project aims to survey cultivated and wild populations and make recommendations to establish long term sustainable trade.
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