Resumo

VOVIDES, Andrew P.; IGLESIAS, Carlos; LUNA, Víctor  e  BALCAZAR, Teodolinda. Botanic gardens and the biodiversity crisis. Bot. sci [online]. 2013, vol.91, n.3, pp.239-250. ISSN 2007-4476.

Historically, botanic gardens have concentrated on species of economic interest, and no mention of conservation has been made until the mid XX Century. The destruction of forests, loss of biodiversity, and climate change are real problems and modern botanic gardens have developed strategies to confront them; ex situ and in situ conservation and a botanic gardens alliance for ecological restoration. Botanic gardens have addressed eight of the 16 targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, among these the training of horticulturists. These need to be promoted in Mexico with horticulture courses at all levels, especially in restoration. However, we have succeeded in environmental education. Modern botanic gardens are replete with information on plant diversity, and their holdings of documented specimens include herbarium voucher backup, that are used in modern molecular systematics, among other taxonomically traditional disciplines. Botanic gardens are principal centres of plant conservation and, through national and international networks, specimen location is possible and the concept of national collections has been adopted by Mexican botanic gardens. The backbone of botanic gardens is the quality of databases and information. Reinforcing this is urgent in our gardens, including microchip technology that renders specimen control more efficient. More than ever, does society need the support of experts in botanic gardens as well as spaces for enjoyment and tranquillity.

Palavras-chave : documented living collections; ecological restoration alliance; ex situ and in situ conservation; national collections; restoration horticulture.

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