Diversity and Challenges
Botanical gardens conserve plant diversity outside natural habitats, managing 105,634 species, which amounts to 30% of all plant species. They conserve over 41% of known threatened species. However, 93% of species held in botanical gardens are in the Northern Hemisphere. An estimated 76% of species absent from living collections are tropical, and over 50% of vascular genera, but barely 5% of non-vascular genera, are conserved outside natural habitats.
Ex Situ vs. In Situ Conservation
Ex situ conservation provides a backup of genetic material and can be an emergency conservation measure for critically endangered species. But habitat destruction still poses a significant threat to endangered species. In contrast, in situ conservation allows for the natural selection of plants and maintains viable, self-sustaining wild populations. Both approaches have distinct advantages.
Challenges in Ex Situ Conservation
Integrated conservation action by botanical gardens can prevent extinction, but the coverage of threatened species is not uniform. Cultivation of adequate genetic samples is limited by space constraints, and small populations are vulnerable to disease. Furthermore, bryophytes and pteridophytes remain underrepresented in these gardens. Despite the efforts, there are still significant challenges to overcome in ex situ conservation efforts.