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Biological culture is of great significance to the conservation of biodiversity. The formation and development of botanical gardens have reflected the plant culture which formed by human beings due to material and spiritual needs in history. Modern botanical gardens have made outstanding achievements in plant ex-situ protection, while the plant culture construction is still a little insufficient. In the process of global biodiversity conservation, the important roles of traditional culture in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of biological resources have been increasingly valued. At this background, this study emphasized the close connection and co-evolution relationship between biocultural diversity and biodiversity, and reviewed the implication of plant culture in early botanical gardens and Chinese classical gardens. And through the analysis of the main functions of 3 085 modern botanical gardens around the world, we found that only 7.36% of botanical gardens carried out ethnobotanical research, while 11.18% carried out conservation biology research, and 17.18% worked out a plant conservation programme, which revealed the improvement of the protection function and the weakening of the cultural function of modern botanical gardens. Based on the demand for the construction of plant culture in the effective protection of plant diversity in the current botanical garden, this study further analyzed the deficiencies of plant culture construction in botanical gardens in China, including: (1) insufficient plant culture information data in plant species diversity information; (2) lack of consideration of benefit-sharing of traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation; (3) lack of theme parks that display plant diversity with culture. Focused on the goal of plant diversity conservation and management in the China national botanical garden, we put forward the following suggestions on plant culture construction in the China national botanical garden system from three aspects, in order to provide a reference for the construction of a national botanical garden system with the characteristics of Chinese ecological civilization. Plant diversity protection and utilization: to strengthen the consideration of plant culture in the construction of plant diversity information and germplasm resource bank, encourage ethnobotanical research. Benefit-sharing: to establish access and benefit-sharing (ABS) standard procedures covering traditional knowledge to ensure fair and equitable benefit-sharing. Public participation: to consider display the regionality and uniqueness in China national botanical garden, and add ethnic plant culture theme parks or exhibition halls.

Biodiversity is the material basis for human survival. At present, the conservation of biodiversity is mainly carried out through nature reserves. As an essential supplement to the existing nature reserve systems in China, the mini reserve is an essential means to connect fragmented habitats for animals and plants and maintain the integrity of ecosystems. This study systematically collates and analyzes the organizational structure, system construction, daily work, and preliminary results of the community-based Qu'nan mini reserve through a literature review and field investigations. The results are as follows: (1) The construction of the Qu'nan mini reserve is based on the mindset of “self-construction, self-financing, self-management, and self-benefit”. It is managed mainly by “equal discussion and democratic consultation” which has been recognized and supported by local community residents, the local government, and the outside world. (2) The establishment, construction, and development of the mini reserve have not only enhance the protection awareness of community residents and increase the number and diversity of surrounding animal and plant populations. It also improves the living environment of the Qu'nan community and enriches the spiritual culture of residents. In addition, this paper also discusses the hidden dangers in the construction of conservation communities. Some feasible suggestions are proposed to provide a reference for developing biodiversity and traditional culture conservation, and other mini reserves in China.

Baiku Yao like to raise and eat local black pigs, and they are very good at collecting and managing forage plants. This study aimed to make an ethnobotanical inventory of forage plants and their related native knowledge in the Baiku Yao area, provide data support for the preservation of their traditional knowledge, and provide ideas for the development of modern new types of forage. From 2019 to 2021, we went to the local area for ethnobotanical investigation of forage plants, using key formant interviews, semi-structured interviews, and group discussions. Additionally, we had screened out the forage plants with high comprehensive utilization value according to scoring and ranking and their usage frequency. The results were as follows: (1) A total of 104 forage plant species were recorded, belonging to 42 families and 85 genera. The family with the most cited species was Asteraceae (16 species, accounting for 15.38% of the total species), followed by Urticaceae (13 species, accounting for 12.5% of the total species). (2) Branches and leaves (56.73%), whole plant (26.92%) and leaves (8.65%) were the main used parts of local forage plants, accounting for 92.30% of the recorded plants. Most forage plants were herbaceous plants (88.46%). There were adequate forage plants (accounting for 64.42% of the total) that could be collected to feed pigs in almost all seasons. (3) Chopping, crushing, and cooking feed plants were the main preparation methods of pig forage. (4) The most frequently cited local species were Zea mays, Broussonetia papyrifera, Ipomoea batatas, Morus alba, Fagopyrum dibotrys and Oryza sativa. (5) The local forage plants with high comprehensive evaluation were Broussonetia papyrifera, Ipomoea batatas, Morus alba, Fagopyrum dibotrys and Cucurbita moschata. The local people have rich traditional knowledge about the use and management of forage plants for pigs, which are very scientific and well preserved, and the related forage plant resources are also worthy of further development and promotion.