Species360 and Botanic Gardens Conservation International Join Forces to Protect Plant Biodiversity

Plants and fungi are fundamental to sustaining all life on earth, from the air we breathe, the food we eat, to the medicine we need, yet nearly half of all flowering plant species are threatened with extinction, and 75% of the world’s undescribed plant species are likely to be at risk as well. Botanical gardens, as the custodians of plant diversity, play a critical role in plant conservation.

Recognizing the critical need for urgent plant conservation efforts, Species360 and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) have partnered to address the global loss of plant species and habitats. The two non-profit organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year, which will foster collaborative efforts between Species360, BGCI, and global botanical gardens to protect plant diversity.

After 50 years of supporting global collaboration on animal species through record-keeping and conservation science initiatives, Species360 expanded its mission to encompass flora in addition to fauna when it brought plant management platform Hortis into the fold. Hortis is focused on the role plant records can play not only for individual institutions but also in the context of global research and conservation efforts. BGCI – the largest plant conservation network in the world, representing botanical gardens in over 100 countries worldwide – works to promote an efficient and rational approach to plant conservation in botanic gardens.

We want to call much-needed attention to the multitude of threats facing plants, and the urgent need for conservation action. We are very excited about this partnership with Botanic Gardens Conservation International, and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration to protect plant diversity.

Jim Guenter, Species360 Chief Executive Officer

At the root of the partnership is the concept that reliable plant collection data is critical to furthering plant and fungi conservation efforts. Both Species360 and BGCI will work to inspire active records keeping and data sharing, improve data standards, promote the development of data-driven analytics, and facilitate the exchange of information on plant species and populations to contribute to the conservation of plant diversity. Additionally, Species360 will collaborate with and support BGCI in their development of best practices for information related to plant conservation, including plant identification, monitoring, the responsible exchange of material, species recovery and habitat restoration. They will also promote collaboration between botanical institutions to increase the impact of conservation efforts. To this end, Species360 has ensured representation of botanical gardens and plant conservation on its Board of Trustees by welcoming Dr. Paul Smith, Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International to serve on the Species360 Board.

Botanical gardens conserve more than a third of plant diversity in their living collections and seed banks. It is essential that this material, and its associated data, is shared and used for species recovery and habitat restoration. We are delighted to be working with Species360 to raise data standards, and to ensure that plant material and associated information is used to prevent plant species extinctions

Dr. Paul Smith, Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)

Scientists are still discovering new plant species, with more than 8,000 plant species and 10,000 fungi species scientifically named since 2020; however, vast data and knowledge gaps continue to be an issue. Species360 hopes to address this through effective plant data management through the Hortis platform.

For more information about Species360 and Hortis, please visit: species360.org/abouthortis

For more information about Botanic Gardens Conservation International, please visit: bgci.org