A recent study by the University of Cambridge highlights botanic gardens’ challenges in protecting the world’s most endangered plants. The research, covering data from 50 botanic gardens and arboreta (botanical gardens focused on trees) between 1921 and 2021, reveals the following key points:
- Capacity Strain: The study shows that global living plant collections have reached their limit. Botanic gardens are struggling to manage the growing demand for space and resources.
- Wild Plant Collection Restrictions: Global restrictions on collecting wild plants have made it challenging to gather the diversity needed for effective conservation research [1].
The urgent need for collaboration
Professor Sam Brockington, curator at Cambridge University Botanic Garden and the lead researcher, expressed deep concern, stating that the rate at which plants are being listed as threatened is increasing far more rapidly than conservation efforts can respond. He warned, “The risk of extinction is accelerating, and our response is too slow.” [2]
Figure 1: Palm Greenhouse at Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam [3]
The research emphasises the importance of increased international collaboration among botanic gardens, arboreta, and other conservation organisations. It highlights the urgent need to pool resources, share expertise, and adopt a unified conservation strategy to protect global plant biodiversity. With rising extinction rates, immediate action is necessary to address challenges such as limited space, funding shortages, and access to wild plant materials.
To aid global biodiversity conservation, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden added half a million seeds from rare and threatened plant species to its collection last year. This includes species such as a specific type of palm and Pinus torreyana, a rare pine tree.
Overcoming barriers to conservation
Rare plants often compete for space with more popular, less endangered species that attract visitors. Botanic gardens prioritise plants for scientific research and educational programmes, but only 5-10% of their capacity is dedicated to conservation efforts [3].
One potential solution is to establish more botanic gardens in the Global South, where biodiversity is highest. Historically, many botanic gardens were founded during the colonial era, and most are in Western countries. The UN’s 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity aimed to halt exploitation from the colonial era by granting countries sovereignty over their biodiversity [3].
Research from Cambridge University shows that the efforts by botanic gardens to collect endangered plants, exchange seeds, and protect threatened species are being hindered.
Key points:
- Need for Regular Replacement and Propagation: To preserve biodiversity, plants in botanic gardens need to be regularly replaced or grown from seeds. Since the introduction of the convention in 1993, the number of plants collected from the wild has halved.
- Challenges in Material Exchange: Political boundaries make sharing plant material and protecting biodiversity harder. For example, Brexit has disrupted plant exchanges between European botanic gardens, with the cost and bureaucracy of sending seeds now making it cheaper for staff to fly with seeds than send them by post.
- Climate Emergency Threats: The climate crisis risks botanic gardens’ collections. Gardens are now focusing on plants that can survive future climate changes.
- Global Collaboration Needed: Brockington suggests that botanic gardens should work together to create a global “meta collection”, with each garden cultivating different specimens of endangered species to protect them.
- Risk of Inaction: Brockington warns that many species could go extinct without proactive measures. These plants may hold significant potential for food, medicine, or materials in the future, and we may lose their value before we even understand it [3].
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References
[1] University of Cambridge – Botanic Gardens must team up to save wild plants from extinction. Accessed on 11/02/25. Available at: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/botanic-gardens-must-team-up-to-save-wild-plants-from-extinction#:~:text=Diversity%20is%20key,diversity%20is%20likely%20to%20be.
[2] The Guardian – The risk of extinction is accelerating. Accessed on 11/02/25. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/25/the-risk-of-extinction-is-accelerating-worlds-botanic-gardens-raise-alarm-with-space-to-protect-endangered-plants-running-out#:~:text=Brockington%20wants%20the%20world’s%20botanic,extensively%20cultivated%20in%20multiple%20institutions.
[3] Douglas Sanchez – Palm Greenhouse view from main entrance at the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam. Accessed on 11/02/25. Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/banana-tree-inside-dome-building-at-daytime-t1TS4TTfUz
