Search

The successful implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s post-2020Global Biodiversity Framework will rely on effective translation of targets from global tonational level and increased engagement across diverse sectors of society. Species conserva-tion targets require policy support measures that can be applied to a diversity of taxonomicgroups, that link action targets to outcome goals, and that can be applied to both global andnational data sets to account for national context, which the species threat abatement andrestoration (STAR) metric does. To test the flexibility of STAR, we applied the metric to vascular plants listed on national red lists of Brazil, Norway, and South Africa. The STARmetric uses data on species’ extinction risk, distributions, and threats, which we obtainedfrom national red lists to quantify the contribution that threat abatement and habitatrestoration activities could make to reducing species’ extinction risk. Across all 3 coun-tries, the greatest opportunity for reducing plant species’ extinction risk was from abatingthreats from agricultural activities, which could reduce species’ extinction risk by 54% inNorway, 36% in South Africa, and 29% in Brazil. Species extinction risk could be reducedby a further 21% in South Africa by abating threats from invasive species and by 21% inBrazil by abating threats from urban expansion. Even with different approaches to red-listing among countries, the STAR metric yielded informative results that identified wherethe greatest conservation gains could be made for species through threat-abatement andrestoration activities. Quantifiably linking local taxonomic coverage and data collection toglobal processes with STAR would allow national target setting to align with global targetsand enable state and nonstate actors to measure and report on their potential contributionsto species conservation. habitat restoration, national red lists, species’ extinction risk, threat reduction, threatened species, vascular plants

Madagascar’s biota is hyperdiverse and includes exceptional levels of endemicity. We review the current state of knowledge on Madagascar’s past and current terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity by compiling and presenting comprehensive data on species diversity, endemism, and rates of species description and human uses, in addition to presenting an updated and simplified map of vegetation types. We report a substantial increase of records and species new to science in recent years; however, the diversity and evolution of many groups remain practically unknown (e.g., fungi and most invertebrates). Digitization efforts are increasing the resolution of species richness patterns and we highlight the crucial role of field- and collections-based research for advancing biodiversity knowledge and identifying gaps in our understanding, particularly as species richness corresponds closely to collection effort. Phylogenetic diversity patterns mirror that of species richness and endemism in most of the analyzed groups. We highlight humid forests as centers of diversity and endemism because of their role as refugia and centers of recent and rapid radiations. However, the distinct endemism of other areas, such as the grassland-woodland mosaic of the Central Highlands and the spiny forest of the southwest, is also biologically important despite lower species richness. The documented uses of Malagasy biodiversity are manifold, with much potential for the uncovering of new useful traits for food, medicine, and climate mitigation. The data presented here showcase Madagascar as a unique “living laboratory” for our understanding of evolution and the complex interactions between people and nature. The gathering and analysis of biodiversity data must continue and accelerate if we are to fully understand and safeguard this unique subset of Earth’s biodiversity.

Lophophora williamsii (Cactaceae) is thought to be threatened by habitat loss and overharvesting. However, basic demographic and habitat information to evaluate its conservation status have been lacking. We surveyed six wild populations of this species, three in South Texas and three in West Texas, to begin to address this gap. We found high levels of heterogeneity in plant presence and density at multiple spatial scales. While plant densities were not consistently different between South and West Texas, plants were significantly larger in West Texas. The two regions differ strongly in precipitation, temperature, elevation, and topography, all of which are correlated at the regional scale. Therefore, it was not possible to identify which of these variables, or other factors such as competition and human harvesting, may be responsible for the regional differences in plant size. However, our results provide initial information for determining the conservation status of this species.

Madagascar’s unique biota is heavily affected by human activity and is under intense threat. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the conservation status of Madagascar’s terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity by presenting data and analyses on documented and predicted species-level conservation statuses, the most prevalent and relevant threats, ex situ collections and programs, and the coverage and comprehensiveness of protected areas. The existing terrestrial protected area network in Madagascar covers 10.4% of its land area and includes at least part of the range of the majority of described native species of vertebrates with known distributions (97.1% of freshwater fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals combined) and plants (67.7%). The overall figures are higher for threatened species (97.7% of threatened vertebrates and 79.6% of threatened plants occurring within at least one protected area). International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments and Bayesian neural network analyses for plants identify overexploitation of biological resources and unsustainable agriculture as the most prominent threats to biodiversity. We highlight five opportunities for action at multiple levels to ensure that conservation and ecological restoration objectives, programs, and activities take account of complex underlying and interacting factors and produce tangible benefits for the biodiversity and people of Madagascar.

The British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands, two island groups located in the Caribbean archipelago, hold unique plant diversity and high endemism. Until recently, Solanum conocarpum was considered a rare plant species endemic to the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. Ongoing botanical surveys in this region are revealing new populations and refining our understanding of the distribution of these narrow endemic plant species. The objective of this paper is to assess the conservation status of S. conocarpum, including a review of its geographic range, population numbers, threats and conservation actions needed for its long-term survival. In this paper, we present new occurrences for S. conocarpum, extending its geographic range to a new island, Tortola and new territory, the British Virgin Islands. Despite this range expansion, this species is evaluated as Endangered (EN), based on Criteria B1b(iii,v)+2b(iii,v)+C2a(i), according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. The extent of occurrence (EOO = 46 km2) and area of occupancy (AOO = 20 km2) are highly restricted. On St. John (US Virgin Islands), the historically recorded individuals at Reef Bay, Europa Ridge and Sabbat Point are now considered extirpated due to disturbance from development compounded by invasive species, as well as the impact of feral ungulates and drought stress. These threats are impacting the species across the whole island of St. John and contributing to a continuing decline of suitable habitat, despite the island being a National Park. On the island of Tortola, the species occurs on unprotected lands subject to development and habitat modification and decline by feral ungulates. Based on these threats acting separately across the two islands, two locations were defined. The estimated total number of mature individuals ranges between 150 and 250, with the largest subpopulation at Nanny Point in the US Virgin Islands, containing 108 mature individuals. Conservation action, focused on protecting this species' habitat, is urgently needed.

Funder: Finnis Scott Foundation, Tulips (Tulipa spp.) are one of the most widely appreciated plants worldwide, nevertheless species taxonomy and biogeography are often poorly understood. Most wild tulips inhabit the mountains of Central Asia, a recognised biodiversity hotspot, and a centre of tulip diversity. Despite the presence of several country-level endemic Tulipa species, most taxa span the borders of several nations. With no globally Red Listed tulip taxa from this region national level conservation assessments are an important resource. Nonetheless, threats posed to tulips are still inadequately understood, especially climate change, and given the trans-national nature of most species, distributional information is restricted and often misleading. Here we collate 330 species records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility with 85 newly collected records, to undertake species distribution modelling (MaxEnt) for ten native Central Asian species. This work showed that regional level models provide a much more comprehensive understanding of species’ extinction risks, proportions of habitat in different countries, and limitations in protected area coverage. Furthermore, our climate modelling, the first of its kind for tulips, suggests that climate change will have a significant negative impact on the range size of all species; including those that are currently widespread. We therefore add climate change to the list of threats affecting tulip populations in Central Asia, which already includes livestock overgrazing, urbanisation, wild collection, and mining. Overall, our work shows that although national information is important, a regional approach is crucial not just for tulip conservation efforts, but likely for Central Asian plant conservation in general.

International audience; The Convention on Biological Diversity’s post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework will probably include a goal to stabilize and restore the status of species. Its delivery would be facilitated by making the actions required to halt and reverse species loss spatially explicit. Here, we develop a species threat abatement and restoration (STAR) metric that is scalable across species, threats and geographies. STAR quantifies the contributions that abating threats and restoring habitats in specific places offer towards reducing extinction risk. While every nation can contribute towards halting biodiversity loss, Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico, Madagascar and Brazil combined have stewardship over 31% of total STAR values for terrestrial amphibians, birds and mammals. Among actions, sustainable crop production and forestry dominate, contributing 41% of total STAR values for these taxonomic groups. Key Biodiversity Areas cover 9% of the terrestrial surface but capture 47% of STAR values. STAR could support governmental and non-state actors in quantifying their contributions to meeting science-based species targets within the framework.

Lophophora williamsii(Cactaceae) is thought to be threatened by habitat loss and overharvesting. However, basic demographic and habitat information to evaluate its conservation status has been lacking. We surveyed six wild populations of this species, three in South Texas and three in West Texas, to begin to address this gap. We found high levels of heterogeneity in plant presence and density at multiple spatial scales. While plant densities were not consistently different between South and West Texas, plants were significantly larger in West Texas. The two regions differ strongly in precipitation, temperature, elevation, and topography, all of which are correlated at the regional scale. Therefore, it was not possible to identify which of these variables, or other factors such as competition and human harvesting, may be responsible for the regional differences in plant size. However, our results provide initial information for determining the conservation status of this species.RESUMENLophophora williamsii (Cactaceae)se considera amenazada por la pérdida de hábitat y cosecha excesiva. Sin embargo, se carece de información demográfica y ambiental básica para evaluar su estado de conservación. Para abordar este déficit, examinamos seis poblaciones salvajes de esta especie (tres en el sur y tres en el oeste de Texas respectivamente). Encontramos altos niveles de heterogeneidad en la presencia y densidad de plantas en múltiples escalas espaciales. Las densidades no son consistentemente diferentes entre el sur y el oeste, pero las plantas son significativamente más grandes en el oeste. Las dos regiones difieren notablemente en precipitación, temperatura, elevación y topografía. Todas estas variables están correlacionadas a escala regional, por lo que no es posible identificar cuál de ellas (u otros factores como la competencia y la cosecha humana) causan las diferencias regionales observadas en el tamaño de la planta. Nuestros resultados proporcionan información fundamental para determinar el estado de conservación de esta especie.

Aim Less than 6% of the worlds described plant species have been assessed on the IUCN Red List, leaving many species invisible to conservation prioritization. Large-scale Red List assessment of plant species is a challenge, as most species’ ranges have only been resolved to a coarse scale. As geographic distribution is a key assessment criterion on the IUCN Red List, we evaluate the use of coarse-scale distribution data in predictive models to assess the global scale and drivers of extinction risk in an economically important plant group, the bulbous monocotyledons. Location Global. Methods Using coarse-scale species distribution data, we train a machine learning model on biological and environmental variables for 148 species assessed on the IUCN Red List in order to identify correlates of extinction risk. We predict the extinction risk of 6439 ‘bulbous monocot’ species with the best of 13 models and map our predictions to identify potential hotspots of threat. Results Our model achieved 91% classification accuracy, with 88% of threatened species and 93% of non-threatened species accurately predicted. The model predicted 35% of bulbous monocots presently ‘Not Evaluated’ under IUCN criteria to be threatened and human impacts were a key correlate of threat. Spatial analysis identified some hotspots of threat where no bulbous monocots are yet on the IUCN Red List, for example central Chile. Main conclusions This is the first time a machine learning model has been used to determine extinction risk at a global scale in a species-rich plant group. As coarse-scale distribution data exist for many plant groups, our methods can be replicated to provide extinction risk predictions across the plant kingdom. Our approach can be used as a low-cost prioritization tool for targeting field-based assessments.

Summary Recent studies showed that a group of Hypertelis species was neither related to the type of that genus or to other members of Molluginaceae. As a result, these species were segregated as a new genus in its own family, Kewaceae. The St Helenan endemic Kewa acida (Hook.) Christenh. is illustrated here and its relationships, status, cultivation and conservation are discussed.

Forest ecosystems are rich in biodiversity and provide valuable ecosystem services, but are declining worldwide. Malus niedzwetzkyana, an Endangered wild relative of domesticated apples, is an important component of the walnut–fruit forests of Central Asia. Its iconic pink blossom and genetic properties give it special cultural and scientific significance, but livestock grazing and firewood collection threaten its survival. The conservation of the species and its native forest ecosystem is critical and urgent. This study provides information on the ecology and population of M. niedzwetzkyana and the threats affecting its habitat, improving our understanding of its distribution and proposing measures to reduce threats. We collected ecological data and assessed population structure and threats at four forest sites in southern Kyrgyzstan. We mapped 149 individuals, creating the largest known dataset for this species. We developed species distribution models for M. niedzwetzkyana to identify climatically suitable regions and potential areas for restoration. Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve contained the largest expanse of pristine forest and the most stable M. niedzwetzkyana population, followed by Kara-Alma Forestry Unit. Forests in the Gava Forestry Unit and Dashman Reserve were most extensively damaged by humans and livestock. The wild apple's favoured habitat was south-west facing slopes with a gradient < 30° and a relatively open canopy. Overall, the study population was vulnerable to extinction with limited regeneration potential. We recommend short-term population enhancement through planting projects and increased protection of individuals in pristine sites. Community-based conservation initiatives should be prioritized in extensively damaged sites, and larger-scale reforestation of these forests needs to be considered.

Summary Varronia rupicola (Urb.) Britton (Boraginaceae) a Critically Endangered shrub, restricted to three Caribbean islands – Puerto Rico, Vieques and Anegada—is described and illustrated. Its conservation status and distribution are reviewed.

Botanic gardens often highlight public education as a priority. Increasing knowledge about biodiversity conservation is a frequently stated aim of environmental education. This is often based on the assumption that increasing knowledge may generate positive environmental attitudes. We investigate the relationship between knowledge and environmental attitudes and whether visits to botanic gardens alter visitors’ ecological knowledge and environmental attitudes. We surveyed 1054 visitors at five UK botanic gardens, half of whom were interviewed on entry and half leaving. Our results suggest a strong positive relationship between knowledge and attitudes, although we are unable to disentangle cause and effect. We show botanic gardens have little influence on knowledge, however environmental attitudes are more positive amongst those leaving a botanic garden. This study presents the first quantitative evidence showing botanic gardens can positively influence visitors’ environmental attitudes. With over 300 million visitors a year globally, botanic gardens have the potential to greatly improve knowledge about, and attitudes towards plant conservation. Evaluating the influence botanic gardens may have on visitors can be useful both in demonstrating to funders the contribution they make, and to allow learning and development of approaches to maximise the benefits of environmental education schemes in botanic gardens.

BackgroundThe need to incorporate genetic data into conservation management decisions is increasingly recognised. However, many published studies represent a ‘gold standard’ of sampling, techniques, and analyses. Such rigour is often not possible with limited funding and resourcing available for developing plans for the increasing number of threatened species requiring conservation management. Two endemic palm species of the Itremo Massif in central Madagascar,Dypsis ambositraeandD. decipiens, are known to be threatened with extinction and conservation management for these species is a priority for the newly created protected area in the region.MethodsThe genetic diversity of these two species was studied using the relatively low-cost and rapid AFLP technique. DNA fragments generated using three primer combinations were analysed for 20 and 50 individuals of the two species, respectively, from across their ranges.ResultsGenetic diversity was relatively low for both species. The two sites where the highly restrictedD. ambositraegrows were found to be genetically distinct (although overall heterozygosity was low). Despite having a much wider distribution and relatively large population,D. decipiensdid not show clear geographical nor genetic groupings and had similarly low genetic heterozygosity toD. ambositrae.Discussion and RecommendationsWith so few individuals remaining in the wild and two genetically distinct subpopulations, it is recommended that both sites ofD. ambositraeare conserved and that seed are collected from both forex situconservation and potential future reintroduction. It may be less important to focus resources on conserving or collectingex situmaterial from all sites whereD. decipiensis found, as the genetic diversity represented by each subpopulation is limited and increasing sampling may not protect significantly higher levels of genetic diversity. This study provides data that inform and support conservation decisions taken for both species within this region, and in the management of the newly designated Itremo Massif Protected Area, which covers most of the sites where these two species remain in the wild.

Summary Metastelma anegadense is a twining perennial vine endemic to the British Virgin Islands, with its largest populations on the low-lying coralline island of Anegada. It is vulnerable in all sites to changes in land use for tourism and development, grazing pressures, and to elevated sea levels and more intensive hurricanes which are likely with global climate change. It has been assessed as Critically Endangered, the IUCN's highest level threat of extinction.

The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Programme based at the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew (RBG, Kew) has an active training and seed collection programme with local partners in most of the UK’s 16 Overseas Territories. Seeds are banked at the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) for long-term storage, with a particular focus on endemic and threatened species, contributing to Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). Many of these threatened species have never been in cultivation so horticulture protocols are being developed for each species. Drawing on examples of threatened species from parts of the Caribbean and the Falkland Islands, this paper describes the components of horticulture protocols, from collection through to germination and growth in the first year. It outlines their role and value in the conservation of threatened species. These written protocols together with a short nursery guide are shared with local partners, thereby contributing to Target 3 of the GSPC.

Previous blue carbon studies have focused on discrete carbon stock assessments and overarching systematic reviews which broadly speculate that it may be economically viable to incorporate mangroves into existing carbon finance platforms. There is a discernible need to test this hypothesis through case-specific investigations that determine this presumed viability in a local or regional context – at scales meaningful for policy development. The current study investigates whether the carbon values of mangrove forests on Panay Island, the Philippines, are sufficient to offset the opportunity costs of milkfish ( Chanos chanos ) aquaculture – the primary cause of mangrove deforestation in the Philippines. Profit margins associated with milkfish aquaculture are calculated through a municipality-wide survey (779±140 US$ ha −1 yr −1 ). Concurrently, the carbon stocks of two heterogeneous mangrove forests are quantified and compared. Creditable CO 2 emissions reductions are modelled under a broad range of assumptions. These emissions are valorised, and a sensitivity analysis is performed to establish the minimum price at which opportunity costs are offset across a range of methodological and accounting preferences. It is determined that carbon prices of around 5–12 US$ tCO 2 e −1 would be required to compensate landowners for their lost aquaculture profits. The implications of our findings are discussed.

Last seen in 1958, the Ascension Island endemic fern, Anogramma ascensionis, was listed as extinct on the 2003 IUCN Red List. However, a 2009 survey rediscovered four plants on Green Mountain. Spores were collected and cultured in vitro at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where a living collection of thousands of gametophytes and hundreds of sporophytes has been developed. To gain further insights into the biology of this species and the potential implications of in vitro multiplication for conservation purposes, samples were characterized from the karyological point of view. Chromosome analysis of root tips has confirmed that the species is tetraploid, and flow cytometry assessments have revealed that haploid gametophytes produce diploid sporophytes, which confirms natural fertilization. In addition, an rbcL sequence from A. ascensionis has been generated and compared with those published for other Anogramma spp., suggesting a close relationship with A. chaerophylla from Brazil. Further surveys of Green Mountain have reported the presence of 40 A. ascensionis sporophytes in total. Vegetation community analyses have suggested that the present population may be confined to suboptimal habitats. We therefore propose that, prior to the dramatic transformation of the vegetation on the island as a result of the invasion of alien species (particularly Adiantum spp.), A. ascensionis may have flourished in more humid and shaded parts of the mountain. A multidisciplinary approach involving in vitro culture, invasive species clearance and controlled translocation is discussed as the future roadmap for the conservation of this critically endangered fern. Our experiences have also highlighted lessons more broadly applicable to the conservation of extremely rare species elsewhere in the world, especially on remote island systems. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 174, 461–477.

Politically and botanically diverse, the Caribbean region is a biodiversity hotspot. Current estimates for seed plant species richness are nearly 11,000 indigenous taxa, of which approximately 72% are endemic to the region. Politically, the region comprises independent countries as well as overseas territories and countries of the European Union member states and the United States. Success in implementing the 2010 targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) across the region was mixed, and a lack of capacity was consistently cited as a major impediment to full implementation. Several regional initiatives promote coordinated conservation activities and disseminate key information needed for GSPC implementation, including the Caribbean Botanic Gardens for Conservation, whose last meeting in Cuba identified capacity gaps needed for achieving GSPC success. This echoed an earlier regional GSPC workshop held in Montserrat and coordinated by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the Secretariat...

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) has been embraced by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as a guiding document for working with international partners (Ali, 2008; GSPC, 2002). Capacity building is an essential component of all activities in recognition of the importance of achieving Targets 15 and 16 (Clubbe & al. 2008).

Nassauvia falklandica (Compositae: Mutisieae: Nassauviinae), a new endemic herbaceous sub-shrub from the Falkland Islands, is described, illustrated and its conservation status assessed. N. falklandica is unique within the genus in possessing a row of pits towards the apex of the abaxial surface of its leaves; stomata and stiff white hairs are confined to these pits. This adaptation most likely reduces water loss in the sparsely vegetated feldmark habitats exposed to strong and drying winds in which it occurs. Its apparent restricted habitat preference contrasts in particular to the wide distribution of one of the other two Falkland endemic Nassauvia species, N. gaudichaudii. N. falklandica has an estimated world population of fewer than 250 mature individuals and is currently only known from two sites on West Falkland c. 34 km apart. Both sites are located on hill summits between 400 and 500 m altitude. The subpopulations are severely fragmented and at risk from genetic erosion, damage by livestock and stochastic events. N. falklandica is assessed as Critically Endangered B1ab(iii), B2ab(iii).

A description is provided for Eragrostis episcopulus (Poaceae), a previously undetermined grass species from the South Atlantic island of St Helena, together with notes on its ecology, history and conservation. The taxon appears to belong to subgen. Eragrostis, and shows affinities with southern African species including E. minor. E. episcopulus has an estimated world population of just over 2,000 individuals, 90% of which occur in two sites, with the remainder scattered along 15 km of the island’s south coast. All sites are located on the upper parts of cliffs facing prevailing mist-laden winds, between 250 and 550 m altitude. The communities are rich in other rare endemic vascular plants (e.g. Bulbostylis lichtensteiniana, Ceterach haughtonii, Eragrostis saxatilis) and Ramalina lichens. They represent refugial pockets of native diversity amongst degraded scrub, which is now heavily dominated by non-native invaders and thus many locations merit protection. Threats are posed from grazing by rabbits and competition from invasive plant species. As a first step in the long-term conservation of Eragrostis episcopulus, seeds have been collected and an ex situ collection established on St Helena and at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. E. episcopulus is evaluated as critically endangered CR B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) + B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) based on the IUCN Red List categories v3.1.

Who Harvests and Why? Characteristics of Guatemalan Households Harvesting Xate (Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti). Cultivation of harvested species is frequently proposed as a conservation strategy to reduce wild harvesting pressure and improve local livelihoods. The success of this approach is likely to be influenced by harvesters’ socioeconomic characteristics. Our study focuses on illegal harvesting of a palm species (Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti, locally known as xate), by Guatemalans in the largely Belizean Greater Maya Mountains. We surveyed 222 households in nine Guatemalan villages close to the Belize/Guatemala border. With this sample we estimated the current intensity of illegal harvesting by Guatemalans in Belize, the characteristics of harvesting households, and their perceptions of the enforcement level of harvesting laws. We estimated that 26 % of households in the study area actively harvest. Harvesting households owned less land than non-harvesting households. Harvesters are aware that harvesting in Belize is illegal and of the sanctions for harvesting. However, incomes from xate harvesting were favorable compared to alternative available activities and there were few barriers to entry. We conclude that successful conservation interventions promoting cultivation need to take account of existing harvester characteristics and constraints. Lack of secure land tenure means that cultivation is not a feasible alternative for many harvesting households.

1. The Chagos Archipelago was designated a no-take marine protected area (MPA) in 2010; it covers 550 000 km2, with more than 60 000 km2 shallow limestone platform and reefs. This has doubled the global cover of such MPAs. 2. It contains 25–50% of the Indian Ocean reef area remaining in excellent condition, as well as the world's largest contiguous undamaged reef area. It has suffered from warming episodes, but after the most severe mortality event of 1998, coral cover was restored after 10 years. 3. Coral reef fishes are orders of magnitude more abundant than in other Indian Ocean locations, regardless of whether the latter are fished or protected. 4. Coral diseases are extremely low, and no invasive marine species are known. 5. Genetically, Chagos marine species are part of the Western Indian Ocean, and Chagos serves as a 'stepping-stone' in the ocean. 6. The no-take MPA extends to the 200 nm boundary, and includes 86 unfished seamounts and 243 deep knolls as well as encompassing important pelagic species. 7. On the larger islands, native plants, coconut crabs, bird and turtle colonies were largely destroyed in plantation times, but several smaller islands are in relatively undamaged state. 8. There are now 10 'important bird areas', coconut crab density is high and numbers of green and hawksbill turtles are recovering. 9. Diego Garcia atoll contains a military facility; this atoll contains one Ramsar site and several 'strict nature reserves'. Pollutant monitoring shows it to be the least polluted inhabited atoll in the world. Today, strict environmental regulations are enforced. 10. Shoreline erosion is significant in many places. Its economic cost in the inhabited part of Diego Garcia is very high, but all islands are vulnerable. 11. Chagos is ideally situated for several monitoring programmes, and use is increasingly being made of the archipelago for this purpose.

International agreements and policies play an increasingly prominent role in strategies to combat biodiversity loss. However, conservation policies can only have a conservation impact if implemented. Identifying factors determining the influence of a policy on institutions could improve the process of policy development and communication. We examine how and why botanic gardens have responded to the first phase of a global conservation policy (the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation GSPC) using quantitative (questionnaires completed by 255 botanic gardens in 67 countries) and qualitative (in-depth interviews with five gardens in five countries) methods. We found that while the majority of gardens were aware of the GSPC, older gardens in the global north, and younger global south gardens are most influenced by the GSPC. Gardens that are members of a global botanic garden network and gardens with larger budgets are implementing more targets. Targets implemented tend to be aligned with existing institutional aims. Gardens highlighted an absence of a mechanism to feedback successes and failures. The GSPC has recently been reviewed and new targets for the period of 2011–2020 developed. To widen the influence of the GSPC, dissemination should include guidelines on how institutions could implement the policy, with particular focus on influencing younger global north gardens and older global south gardens. There are plans to develop a toolkit to help gardens better understand and implement the GSPC. We recommend the toolkit include a system for GSPC implementers to communicate with each other and to feedback to policy formulators.

Originally described by Charles Frederick Millspaugh in 1900, Salvia caymanensis Millsp. & Uline, the cayman sage, is known only from Grand Cayman, a Caribbean UK Overseas Territory; it was thought extinct in the wild until its rediscovery in 2007. Although the species is secure ex situ, its in situ future remains uncertain and it has been red listed as critically endangered. S. caymanensis is illustrated, its botanical history described and conservation measures discussed.

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) was adopted by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2002. Staff at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew were closely involved in the development of the GSPC and contributed to the development of several of the targets and the plan of work which resulted from its adoption. The GSPC has become a key document for Kew to help guide its conservation policy and implementation. The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Programme is one of Kew’s cross-departmental science teams whose members work in collaboration with UKOT Governments and NGOs on conservation projects with the overall aim of supporting them in the implementation of the GSPC and in achieving its targets. The GSPC has provided an excellent overall framework to help shape conservation strategy, planning, and action in UKOTs. Like many small islands, UKOTs face a wide range of challenges in conserving their biodiversity and retaining ecosystem services whilst enabling development and maintaining livelihoods. Habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive alien species, development, and the increasing threat of global climate change present the most significant conservation challenges. At the heart of the UKOTs programme is a comprehensive work plan of specimen and data collection, mapping and capacity building in Territories plus facilitating access to historical specimens and data held at Kew. This enables progress towards achieving Targets 1, 2 and 3 (understanding and documenting plant diversity) and Targets 5, 7, 8 and 10 (conservation of plant diversity). All of these activities are accompanied by an extensive programme of capacity building to help support the development of technical skills and infrastructure to enable UKOTs to implement the GSPC (Targets 15 and 16) and the production of materials and interactions with schools and community groups to promote education and awareness-raising of plant conservation to achieve Target 14. UKOTs have been working with RBG Kew to prioritise activities in order to implement the GSPC and to identify those targets of most relevance locally. The main focus has been in documenting and understanding plant diversity and Targets 1 and 2 are close to completion for most UKOTs with good developments towards Target 3 for many. There is mixed progress with Objective 2 of the GSPC: conserving plant diversity. Excellent progress has been made with the ex situ Target 8, but more limited progress with the in situ targets and plant species still face many threats. Some Territories, most notably the Falkland Islands have made a good start with an Important Plant Areas programme. Although good progress has been made in documenting invasive species, there is major resource investment needed to implement the invasive species control strategies that have been identified. Good progress has been made with Target 14 and awareness is increasing, but there is a definite need for mainstreaming plant conservation issues. Some progress with Objective 5, building capacity for plant conservation, has been made, but a large ‘capacity gap’ remains and more trained personnel are needed with improved facilities and resources in order to implement the GSPC and meet its demanding targets. The GSPC has provided a unifying framework to enable conservation implementation across the UK’s Overseas Territories and will continue to do so in the post-2010 period.

Summary. Rondeletia buxifolia Vahl (Rubiaceae) a critically endangered shrub, restricted to the Caribbean Island of Montserrat, is described and illustrated. Its distribution and conservation status are reviewed.

While the Caribbean is a recognized “biodiversity hotspot”, plant conservation has not received adequate attention; particularly, given the high levels of endemism in many plant groups. Besides establishing protected areas, there needs to be a sustained effort to study the taxonomy, systematics and ecology of the flora. Recent phylogenetic studies have shown high levels of endemism and conservation studies indicate a large propotion of the flora is threatened with extinction. Eight recommendations are given for plant conservation in the region.

The Falkland Islands are predicted to experience up to 2.2°C rise in mean annual temperature over the coming century, greater than four times the rate over the last century. Our study investigates likely vulnerabilities of a suite of range-restricted species whose distributions are associated with archipelago-wide climatic variation. We used present day climate maps calibrated using local weather data, 2020–2080 climate predictions from regional climate models, non-climate variables derived from a digital terrain model and a comprehensive database on local plant distributions. Weighted mean ensemble models were produced to assess changes in range sizes and overlaps between the current range and protected areas network. Target species included three globally threatened Falkland endemics, Nassauvia falklandica, Nastanthus falklandicus and Plantago moorei; and two nationally threatened species, Acaena antarctica and Blechnum cordatum. Our research demonstrates that temperature increases predicted for the next century have the potential to significantly alter plant distributions across the Falklands. Upland species, in particular, were found to be highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. No known locations of target upland species or the southwestern species Plantago moorei are predicted to remain environmentally suitable in the face of predicted climate change. We identify potential refugia for these species and associated gaps in the current protected areas network. Species currently restricted to the milder western parts of the archipelago are broadly predicted to expand their ranges under warmer temperatures. Our results emphasise the importance of implementing suitable adaptation strategies to offset climate change impacts, particularly site management. There is an urgent need for long-term monitoring and artificial warming experiments; the results of this study will inform the selection of the most suitable locations for these. Results are also helping inform management recommendations for the Falkland Islands Government who seek to better conserve their biodiversity and meet commitments to multi-lateral environmental agreements.

The current understanding of the status of the vegetation in Lebanon is largely derived from herbarium data and associated floristic studies produced by early 20th century field botanists. In common with other areas in the Mediterranean, the Lebanese coastline is highly threatened by unregulated development, yet current patterns of species richness along the Lebanese coastal zone are little studied. The objective of this study was to assess the floristic richness of the Lebanese coastal zone and to provide baseline information for conservation planning. For this purpose, permanent sample plots (6 m × 100 m) were established in 26 selected vegetation communities in coastal habitats. Monthly field collections of plant specimens were undertaken between October 1999 and July 2000. A total of 441 species were collected and identified. None of the recorded species are currently considered globally threatened, but two are Lebanese endemics (Matthiola crassifolia Boiss. & Gaill., Origanum ehrenbergii Boiss.). Species richness varied between communities, ranging from six species in a littoral limestone pavement community to 113 in an abandoned terrace community. The similarity between communities, based on Sorensen indices, was low and a large number of species were recorded only once. Cluster analysis showed a grouping of different communities within locations in some instances and the clustering of similar community types regardless of location in others. Species richness in riparian and littoral communities consisted mostly of habitat non-specific species. The low community similarity, patchy species distribution, and predominance of habitat non-specific species all point to the need to complement in situ conservation measures with ex situ conservation.

Summary. This paper outlines the work of the Madagascar Threatened Plants Project(TPP), partly financed by the Friends of Kew. Several species of orchids, palms and succulents are being studied and propagated as trial subjects. At the same time funds are used to improve the infrastructure of Malagasy Institutions actively involved in plant conservation, and to train post-graduate students who will be the next generation of Malagasy botanists, conservationists and horticulturists.

The Mediterranean coast of Lebanon is being destroyed by urban expansion and other human activities. Coastal vegetation communities, especially those on prime tourist areas, such as sandy beaches, are under particular threat. This study investigated a native coastal species, Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae), to contribute to knowledge of these highly threatened habitats and investigate possible strategies for their conservation. Ecogeographic surveys, population dynamics and molecular analysis were undertaken. Individual populations occupied areas ranging from 704 and 32,000 m 2 and differed in their structure and reproductive ability. Clump density ranged between 0.002 to 5.6 clumps m −2 . Percent fecundity varied significantly between populations and ranged between 0.07 and 57.4%. In contrast, seedling recruitment and survival were consistently nil or low in all populations. The average Nei's unbiased genetic identity based on RAPD data was 0.09, suggesting that the species is self-pollinated. Cluster analysis indicated that populations did not group according to geographic proximity. F statistics revealed higher variation within than between populations. According to IUCN Red List Criteria at the Regional Level the current status of P. maritimum in Lebanon is Vulnerable [VU B1ab (i,ii,iii,iv,v) + 2ab (i,ii,iii,iv,v)]. This could rapidly move to a higher category of threat unless conservation measures are adopted very quickly.

Cultivation of wild-harvested plant species has been proposed as a way of reducing over-exploitation of wild populations but lack of technical knowledge is thought to be a barrier preventing people from cultivating a new species. Training programmes are therefore used to increase technical knowledge to encourage people to adopt cultivation. We assessed the impact of a training programme aiming to encourage cultivation of xate (Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti), an over-harvested palm from Central America. Five years after the training programme ended, we surveyed untrained and trained individuals focusing on four potential predictors of behaviour: technical knowledge, attitudes (what individuals think about a behaviour), subjective norms (what individuals perceive others to think of a behaviour) and perceived behavioural control (self assessment of whether individuals can enact the behaviour successfully). Whilst accounting for socioeconomic variables, we investigate the influence of training upon these behavioural predictors and examine the factors that determine whether people adopt cultivation of a novel species. Those who had been trained had higher levels of technical knowledge about xate cultivation and higher belief in their ability to cultivate it while training was not associated with differences in attitudes or subjective norms. Technical knowledge and perceived behavioural control (along with socio-economic variables such as forest ownership and age) were predictors of whether individuals cultivate xate. We suggest that training programmes can have a long lasting effect on individuals and can change behaviour. However, in many situations other barriers to cultivation, such as access to seeds or appropriate markets, will need to be addressed.

The Caribbean islands, despite centuries of large-scale habitat loss, still contain habitats of amazing beauty and, importantly, these habitats provide an integral foundation for the islands’ sustainable development. These surviving habitats contain unique plant diversity found nowhere else on the planet and for some families, most notably the Asteraceae, globally unique lineages. Despite the Caribbean being one of the first contact zones between Western science and tropical biodiversity, much remains to be discovered and to be conserved.

Despite the severe threats to plant habitats and high levels of extinction risk for plant species in many parts of the world, plant conservation priorities are often poorly represented in national and global frameworks because of a lack of data in an accessible and consistent format to inform conservation decision making. The Important Plant Areas (IPAs) criteria system offers a pragmatic yet scientifically rigorous means of delivering these datasets, enabling informed national- or regional-scale conservation prioritisation, and contributing significantly towards global prioritisation systems including the International Union for Conservation of Nature Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) Standard. In this paper, we review the IPA rationale and progress on IPA identification to date, including the perceived limitations of the process and how these may be overcome. We then present a revised set of criteria for use globally, developed through the combined experiences of IPA identification over the past decade and a half and through a recent global consultation process. An overview of how the revised IPA criteria can work alongside the newly published KBA Standard is also provided. IPA criteria are based around a sound, scientific, global framework which acknowledges the practical problems of gathering plant and habitat data in many regions of the world, and recognises the role of peer reviewed expert opinion in the selection process. National and sub-national engagement in IPA identification is essential, providing a primary route towards long term conservation of key sites for plant diversity. The IPA criteria can be applied to the conservation of all organism groups within the plant and fungal kingdoms.