ISHS Acta Horticulturae 615: IV International Conifer Conference
DIVERSITY IN STRATEGIES FOR CONIFER CONSERVATION, THE ACTION PLAN AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS |
| Authors: | A. Farjon, C.N. Page |
| Keywords: | diversity, ex situ conservation, hot spots, in situ conservation, networking, priorities, resources, species conservation, threats |
| Abstract:
About 630 species of conifer occur across the globe in virtually all conceivable land habitats. Collectively, they harbour an enormous array of natural diversity, much of which relates back through geologic time to an ancient world very different from the one we experience today. Much of this diversity is at risk, as has been recently documented in a Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for Conifers by IUCN/SSC (The World Conservation Union): if current trends are not reversed 20% of diversity may be lost within the next century and much of what remains further depleted. An overview of developments for conifer species conservation is presented here. The main findings and recommendations of the Conifer Action Plan are outlined and analysed. We stress here once again that the diverse nature of threats to conifer species survival calls for a diversity in strategies and flexibility of responses sensitive to the needs, vicissitudes and changing patterns of local conditions. The last 25 years have seen great strides in developing awareness of the vulnerability of this diverse biological resource and we are now at the beginning of the development and implementation of policies and techniques with which to conserve it for the future. From this experience base, likely future strategies and developments are outlined. | |
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