Harnessing Data to Strengthen Living Plant Collections: A Call for Global Collaboration

Image of giant lily pads in water within a glass house at a botanic garden

The recent study on ex situ living plant collections, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution: ‘Insights from a century of data reveal global trends in ex situ living plant collections’ serves as a call to action for the global conservation community. Its findings highlight both the remarkable potential of ex situ collections and the profound challenges we face in ensuring their effectiveness in combating the biodiversity crisis.

This research underscores the importance of leveraging data-driven solutions and global collaboration to safeguard the planet’s biodiversity. A key takeaway from the study is the urgent need for a connected global information ecosystem to manage living collections more effectively. At Species360, we have long recognized the critical value of such systems. Our Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) demonstrates how centralized, standardized data can empower conservationists to make informed decisions, optimize resources, and improve species outcomes. The study’s call for similar tools in botanic gardens presents a vital opportunity for collaboration and innovation. By investing in robust digital infrastructure, fostering data sharing, and making it easily accessible, we can enable more botanic gardens and conservation programs worldwide to collectively manage and maximize the impact of their living collections. With the existing BGCI Databases, The IUCN Red List, Botanical Garden records-keeping systems (including Species360’s Hortis), conservation planning software Vortex and PMxceptional, and data sharing models like ZIMS supporting ex situ species conservation for wildlife, we have a meaningful start on the necessary ecosystem. With leadership and collaboration, we can do this.

The paper also sheds light on significant barriers, including the impact of international biodiversity legislation on the collection and exchange of plant material. As stewards of biodiversity, it is incumbent upon us to work with policymakers to ensure that conservation efforts are not unintentionally hindered by well-intentioned regulations. At Species360, we are committed to advocating for frameworks that balance the need to protect biodiversity with the imperative to conserve it. By fostering collaboration between conservation organizations, governments, and other stakeholders, we can help address these challenges and ensure that ex situ collections remain a cornerstone of global biodiversity conservation.

As we confront the accelerating loss of biodiversity, this study serves as a reminder of the essential role living collections play—not just as repositories of plant diversity, but as active contributors to ecological restoration, species survival, and public awareness. By embracing a data-driven, collaborative approach and drawing on the successes of existing conservation programs and systems, we can turn these challenges into opportunities and advance our shared mission to protect the diversity of life on Earth.

Picture of Jim Guenter

Jim Guenter

CEO, Species360

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Species360 facilitates international collaboration in the collection and sharing of data to serve global plant and animal management and conservation goals.