Launched last year, the initiative adheres to the targets set out in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation adopted by the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity in 2002. One of the goals of this action plan is to have at least 75 percent of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 percent available for recovery and restoration programs.
Chang Bin, director general of TFRI, said the PFG is aiming to conduct conservation work for at least 550 threatened species in Taiwan by 2022 in cooperation with national botanical gardens and their partners.
A staffer at TBG’s herbarium prepares plant specimens on acid-free paper.
Under the PFG, national botanical gardens are tasked with propagating and preserving threatened species in neighboring areas. Any specimens must be collected in a manner that minimizes disruption to surrounding vegetation and habitats, according to Chang.
Apart from collecting specimens, the project explores the horticultural potential of threatened species in terms of cultural implications, medicinal quality, nutritional value and ornamental appeal. Encouraging the cultivation and use of these plants is expected to lead to the establishment of more ex situ populations, helping stave off species extinction.
TBG, which dates back to a nursery built in 1896, houses some 2,000 native and exotic species of flora. It is also home to a herbarium boasting a collection of more than 525,000 specimen sheets, as well as a seed bank containing around 1,700 lots of 280 species.
Curator Fan Su-wei believes these samples are invaluable for use in conservation programs and germination experiments. The garden is a sanctuary and a place for visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature, she said, adding that the facility is something of a community hub, hosting frequent exhibitions, guided tours and workshops.
In implementing the project, TBG is cooperating with renowned architect Huang Sheng-yuan to renovate and expand its greenhouses. The improved facilities will be divided to create different climate zones accommodating low-, mid- and high-altitude species collected from around Taiwan. Slated for completion next year, the buildings will showcase threatened varieties to help further public awareness.
As habitat destruction and species extinction continue at an alarming rate around the world, ex situ conservation is an important tool in the fight to preserve endangered plants for future generations.
Chang said PFG is a Noah’s Ark for flora, with the ultimate goal of reintroducing threatened species into the wild. A multi-institutional collaborative effort is essential if the facility and its mission are to be successful, he added. (By Kelly Her) (E)
TBG’s lotus pond is a favorite among lovers of the great outdoors.
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
(This article is adapted from Floral Arks in the March/April 2020 issue of Taiwan Review. The Taiwan Review archives dating to 1951 are available online.)