Conservation

Conservation is the main focus of RBG Kew’s work in Madagascar. In April 2002 the Convention on Biological Diversity ratified the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). The GSPC, uniquely in the CBD programme of work, sets plant conservation targets for member countries to work towards achieving by the year 2010. All of Kew’s plant conservation work in Madagascar is relevant to this Strategy:

Our core systematic work (link) in Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae, Orchidaceae, Palmae, Gramineae and Dioscoreaceae is supporting Target 1 of the GSPC: A widely accessible working list of known plant species, as a step towards a complete world flora.

The targeting programme of the Millennium Seed Bank Project , many of the monographs produced by Kew specialists, and the collections made by Kew botanists also support Target 2 of the GSPC: A preliminary assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species at national regional and international levels.

The work of RBG Kew’s Micropropagation Unit has contributed directly towards Target 3 of the GSPC: Development of models with protocols for plant conservation and sustainable use, based on research and practical experience.

The CEPF Madagascar Vegetation Mapping Project, led by RBG Kew, is providing information essential to the successful achievement of Target 4: At least 10% of each of the world’s ecological regions effectively conserved; Target 5: Protection of 50% of the most important areas for plant diversity assured; and Target 7: 60% of the world’s threatened species conserved in situ. These targets are also being addressed by RBG Kew’s Malagasy botanical survey and inventory team, eg. in Ambatovaky Special Reserve.

The Millennium Seed Bank Project and Kew’s Madagascar Threatened Plants Appeal are directly concerned with Target 8 of the GSPC: 60% of threatened plant species in accessible ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and 10% of them included in recovery and restoration programmes. The MSBP will seek to conserve >1000 species ex situ in Madagascar by 2010 and the TPA
will carry out reintroduction of threatened species to protected areas.

The MSBP is also relevant to Target 12: 30% of plant –based products derived from sources that are sustainably managed by facilitating research into the germination, propagation and utilisation of wild species.

The TPA and MSBP are making a significant contribution to Target 14: The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation incorporated into communication, education and public awareness programmes.

Finally, the Kew programme in Madagascar, in collaboration with our many Malagasy partners and friends, have been working for many years towards Target 15: The number of trained people working with appropriate facilities in plant conservation increased, according to national needs, to achieve the targets of the strategy and Target 16: Networks for plant conservation activities established or strengthened at national, regional and international levels.

As one of RBG Kew’s most active science teams, the Madagascar programme is keen to focus on Kew’s own key measures, in particular:

2a Total visits to the Kew website, through this science team page and the Madagascar project websites;
2b Total research publications and compilations, through scientific papers, popular articles, books and proceedings;
2c Species use reports, species conservation assessments and species conservation plans, through the Millennium Seed Bank targeting programme, systematic monographs, and the Threatened Plants Appeal;
2d Habitat conservation assessments, through the Vegetation mapping project, and through botanical survey and inventory activities;
3 Total publications in the highest quality scientific journals, primarily through our conservation work, and;
4 Total staff contact days on projects with Malagasy collaborators that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of plant diversity through capacity building, joint research, training and advice.