Plants under threat
The RBGE is at the forefront of research into plant conservation. Wild plants are under threat from:
- Habitat destruction
- Unsustainable use
- Pollution
- Climate change
We work with partners at home and abroad in a range of conservation projects that contribute to the objectives of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.
Collecting seed from the rare Catacol whitebeam on Arran.
Understanding and documenting plant diversity
We work with partners to document the plants of particular regions or countries and to provide conservation assessments. Current projects include:
Areas under particular threat are the focus of our inventory research in threatened areas and include Asia, Africa and South America.
Through our programmes of monographic and phylogenetic research and cryptogamic plants and fungi, RBGE scientists contribute to the conservation of many different groups of plants and fungi.
Conserving plant biodiversity
We work with partners in Scotland to protect the Scottish flora. This combines expertise in different plant groups with ecology and genetics. Current projects include:
The International Conifer Conservation Programme established in 1991, combines taxonomy, conservation, genetic and horticultural research with international capacity building for conifer conservation.
Promoting education and awareness about plant diversity
The conservation of plant diversity is key to our education programme for schools, undergraduates, postgraduates, adult education and specialist courses.
Building capacity for the conservation of plant diversity
Training is delivered in Scotland through workshops, mentoring and apprenticeships. Much of the training overseas is supported by the Darwin Initiative in a range of projects led by scientists and horticulturalists. Current projects include:
- Taxonomic training in Lao PDR
- Forest inventory in the Republic of Congo
- Latin American dry forest and savanna
- Horticulture and education for conservation in Nezahat Gökyigit Botanik Bahçesi (Istanbul)
