Conserving plant diversity: The role of a botanical garden network in China

doi:10.17520/biods.2024441

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims: Global plant diversity has declined in recent decades, primarily due to human activities and climate change, posing a threat to human existence. In this context, botanical gardens have played a vital role in the research and protection of plant diversity. In China, a system of national botanical gardens is being developed to collect, protect, and study wild plants, thereby promoting their sustainable use. To support this effort, the goal of our paper is to analyze the current state of knowledge on botanical gardens in China and identify effective strategies for plant diversity conservation.

Methods: To accomplish this goal, we collected data from 170 botanical gardens located in China. General data included year of establishment, affiliations, and staff structure, while performance outcomes focused on conservation, research, education, horticulture, and amenities. These data were used to categorize the gardens into levels A through D, with Level A representing the highest level of performance and Level D the lowest.

Results: Our analyses revealed that 90% of botanical gardens in China are government-sponsored, public welfare institutions. Notably, gardens affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences were the leading contributors to scientific research. While gardens managed by government administrations made significant contributions to conservation, horticulture, education, and recreation, their research capacities were less developed. Lastly, the limited collaboration among gardens hindered their overall impact.

Conclusion: To bridge this gap, we propose three main strategies. First, establish a connected system of national, regional, and local botanical gardens to facilitate collaborative efforts in protecting China’s native flora and contributing to global plant conservation. Second, construct an integrated information facility for plant conservation, leveraging digitalization and standardization to strengthen cooperation among gardens. Finally, introduce botanical garden accreditation and innovative operational models to ensure long-term sustainability. We believe that these recommendations will enhance the efficiency of plant diversity conservation and contribute to sustainable development.

Key words: national botanical garden, ex situ conservation, digitalization, standardization, conservation network, sustainable development

Dongmei Jin, Tuo He, Hui Dong, Qixia Ma, Yonghong Hu. Conserving plant diversity: The role of a botanical garden network in China[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2025, 33(6): 24441.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2024441

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2025/V33/I6/24441

Figures/Tables 5

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指标 Indicator		A (n = 18)	B (n = 27)	C n = (27)	D (n = 98)
职工数量 Number of staff	均值 Mean	246^a	136^b	54^c	58^c
职工数量 Number of staff	总量 Total	4,422	3,681	1,470	5,660
研究人员数量 Number of researchers	均值 Mean	134^a	56^b	18^c	17^c
研究人员数量 Number of researchers	总量 Total	2,418	1,515	480	1,651
专职科普人员数量 Number of science popularization personnel	均值 Mean	16^a	11^ab	8^bc	5^c
专职科普人员数量 Number of science popularization personnel	总量 Total	288	305	204	508
迁地保护国家重点保护野生植物物种数量 Number of National Key Protected Wild Plant Species under ex situ conservation	均值 Mean	208^a	95^b	42^c	16^c
	总量 Total	3,736	2,572	1,127	1,546
2017-2021年发表SCI论文数量 Number of SCI-indexed papers published between 2017 and 2021	均值 Mean	675^a	33^b	9^b	1^b
	总量 Total	12,155	883	248	115
2017-2021年主持省部级以上项目数量 Number of projects led at provincial level or above between 2017 and 2021	均值 Mean	224^a	39^b	11^b	3^b
	总量 Total	4,040	1,041	294	299
专类园数量 Number of specialty gardens	均值 Mean	21^a	14^ab	12^b	6^c
专类园数量 Number of specialty gardens	总量 Total	372	379	313	556
年均举办科普活动数量 Number of science popularization events per year	均值 Mean	85^a	58^a	19^b	8^b
年均举办科普活动数量 Number of science popularization events per year	总量 Total	1,532	1,562	506	811
年均参观人数(万人次) Number of visitors per year (×10⁴)	均值 Mean	104^ab	113^a	38^bc	20^c
年均参观人数(万人次) Number of visitors per year (×10⁴)	总量 Total	1,866	3,052	1,035	1,349

指标 Indicator		A (n = 18)	B (n = 27)	C n = (27)	D (n = 98)
职工数量 Number of staff	均值 Mean	246^a	136^b	54^c	58^c
职工数量 Number of staff	总量 Total	4,422	3,681	1,470	5,660
研究人员数量 Number of researchers	均值 Mean	134^a	56^b	18^c	17^c
研究人员数量 Number of researchers	总量 Total	2,418	1,515	480	1,651
专职科普人员数量 Number of science popularization personnel	均值 Mean	16^a	11^ab	8^bc	5^c
专职科普人员数量 Number of science popularization personnel	总量 Total	288	305	204	508
迁地保护国家重点保护野生植物物种数量 Number of National Key Protected Wild Plant Species under ex situ conservation	均值 Mean	208^a	95^b	42^c	16^c
	总量 Total	3,736	2,572	1,127	1,546
2017-2021年发表SCI论文数量 Number of SCI-indexed papers published between 2017 and 2021	均值 Mean	675^a	33^b	9^b	1^b
	总量 Total	12,155	883	248	115
2017-2021年主持省部级以上项目数量 Number of projects led at provincial level or above between 2017 and 2021	均值 Mean	224^a	39^b	11^b	3^b
	总量 Total	4,040	1,041	294	299
专类园数量 Number of specialty gardens	均值 Mean	21^a	14^ab	12^b	6^c
专类园数量 Number of specialty gardens	总量 Total	372	379	313	556
年均举办科普活动数量 Number of science popularization events per year	均值 Mean	85^a	58^a	19^b	8^b
年均举办科普活动数量 Number of science popularization events per year	总量 Total	1,532	1,562	506	811
年均参观人数(万人次) Number of visitors per year (×10⁴)	均值 Mean	104^ab	113^a	38^bc	20^c
年均参观人数(万人次) Number of visitors per year (×10⁴)	总量 Total	1,866	3,052	1,035	1,349