Plant Biodiversity: Current state and measurement
Defining Biodiversity
Biodiversity = all organisms in a defined area, all of their variations and all of their interactions
with each other and with the physical environment. Sometimes taken to extend to diversity of
ecosystems.
Levels of biodiversity:
1. Genetic diversity: the gene pool within a population. Source of variations that enable
populations to adapt to environmental changes.
2. Species diversity: the number and types of species in an area. Important in maintaining
structure of communities and food webs.
3. Ecosystem diversity: (habitat diversity). Provide life-sustaining services such as nutrient
cycling and waste decomposition.
Plant diversity assessment in the UK and globally
Global distribution of plant species diversity – high diversity in some locations and low in others.
Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2000: the vision of the GSPC is – “Without plants, there is
no life. The functioning of the planet, and our survival, depends on plants. The Strategy seeks to
halt the continuing loss of plant diversity.” The GSPC consists of 16 targets for conservation with
a deadline of 2020.
In April 2002, the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a Global Strategy for Plant
Conservation (GSPC). The strategy was ground-breaking in that for the first time the CBD set
quantitative, although non-binding, conservation targets and a deadline for their attainment
(2010). Although many of the targets have not been achieved within this timeframe, the GSPC
has had a profound effect in motivating and uniting different individuals and organisations
involved in plant conservation across the world. GSPC: “between 60,000 to 100,000 plant species
are threatened worldwide.”
Why are plant conservation and diversity important? Genetic diversity required for developing
new crop varieties – valuable traits in wild relatives. Plants are amazing chemical factories –
many of our drugs were first isolated in plants. Plant diversity is essential for animal diversity –
think of specialised coevolution.
The Targets for 2020:
A) Understanding and documenting plant diversity:
Target 1: An online flora of all unknown plants
Target 2: An assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, as far as
possible, to guide conservation action.
Target 3: Information, research and associated outputs, and methods necessary to
implement the Strategy developed and shared.
B) Conserving plant diversity:
Target 4: At least 15% of each ecological region or vegetative type secured through
effective management and /or restoration
Target 5: At least 75% of the most important areas for plant diversity of each ecological
region protected with effective management in place for conserving plants and their
, genetic diversity.
Target 6: At least 75% of production lands in each sector managed sustainably,
consistent with the conservation of plant diversity
Target 7: At least 75% of known threatened species conserved in situ
Target 8: At least 75% of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the
country of origin, and at least 20% available for recovery and restoration programmes
Target 9: 70% of the genetic diversity of crops, including their wild relatives and major
socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, while respecting, preserving and
maintaining associated indigenous and local knowledge
Target 10: effective management plans in place to prevent new biological invasions and
to manage important areas for plant diversity that are invaded
C) Using plant diversity sustainably:
Target 11: No species of wild flora endangered by international trade
Target 12: All wild-harvested plant-based products sourced sustainably
Target 13: Indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices associated with
plant resources maintained or increased, as appropriate, to support customary use,
sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health care.
D) Promoting education and awareness about plant diversity:
Target 14: The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation
incorporated into communication, educational and public-awareness programmes
E) Building capacity for the conservation of plant diversity:
Target 15: The number of trained people working with appropriate facilities sufficient
according to national needs, to achieve the targets of this strategy
Target 16: Institutions, networks and partnerships for plants conservation established or
strengthened at national, regional and international levels to achieve the targets of this
strategy
(Don’t need to remember all of the specific targets – just the 5 broad areas)
2004: UK’s response to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation
2007: progress was reviewed – 10 recommendations
2010: The Global Strategy was further updated
How species diversity indices are calculated for comparisons across
habitats
Differences in plant species diversity across habitats:
Vascular plant diversity decreased by 9.8% between 1998 and 2007
7 of the 10 broad habitats showed significant decreases (acid grassland, broadleaved, mixed and
yew woodland, coniferous woodland, bog, improved grassland, fen, marsh and swamp, and
neutral grassland)
Impacts seen in butterfly and bird foodplants
Note that Fen marsh and swamp have the highest plant diversity but these are areas that are
frequently ‘improved’ through drainage for agricultural use.
Measuring species diversity: Biological diversity is often assessed by considering:
RICHNESS – number of species in a sample
Defining Biodiversity
Biodiversity = all organisms in a defined area, all of their variations and all of their interactions
with each other and with the physical environment. Sometimes taken to extend to diversity of
ecosystems.
Levels of biodiversity:
1. Genetic diversity: the gene pool within a population. Source of variations that enable
populations to adapt to environmental changes.
2. Species diversity: the number and types of species in an area. Important in maintaining
structure of communities and food webs.
3. Ecosystem diversity: (habitat diversity). Provide life-sustaining services such as nutrient
cycling and waste decomposition.
Plant diversity assessment in the UK and globally
Global distribution of plant species diversity – high diversity in some locations and low in others.
Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2000: the vision of the GSPC is – “Without plants, there is
no life. The functioning of the planet, and our survival, depends on plants. The Strategy seeks to
halt the continuing loss of plant diversity.” The GSPC consists of 16 targets for conservation with
a deadline of 2020.
In April 2002, the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a Global Strategy for Plant
Conservation (GSPC). The strategy was ground-breaking in that for the first time the CBD set
quantitative, although non-binding, conservation targets and a deadline for their attainment
(2010). Although many of the targets have not been achieved within this timeframe, the GSPC
has had a profound effect in motivating and uniting different individuals and organisations
involved in plant conservation across the world. GSPC: “between 60,000 to 100,000 plant species
are threatened worldwide.”
Why are plant conservation and diversity important? Genetic diversity required for developing
new crop varieties – valuable traits in wild relatives. Plants are amazing chemical factories –
many of our drugs were first isolated in plants. Plant diversity is essential for animal diversity –
think of specialised coevolution.
The Targets for 2020:
A) Understanding and documenting plant diversity:
Target 1: An online flora of all unknown plants
Target 2: An assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, as far as
possible, to guide conservation action.
Target 3: Information, research and associated outputs, and methods necessary to
implement the Strategy developed and shared.
B) Conserving plant diversity:
Target 4: At least 15% of each ecological region or vegetative type secured through
effective management and /or restoration
Target 5: At least 75% of the most important areas for plant diversity of each ecological
region protected with effective management in place for conserving plants and their
, genetic diversity.
Target 6: At least 75% of production lands in each sector managed sustainably,
consistent with the conservation of plant diversity
Target 7: At least 75% of known threatened species conserved in situ
Target 8: At least 75% of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the
country of origin, and at least 20% available for recovery and restoration programmes
Target 9: 70% of the genetic diversity of crops, including their wild relatives and major
socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, while respecting, preserving and
maintaining associated indigenous and local knowledge
Target 10: effective management plans in place to prevent new biological invasions and
to manage important areas for plant diversity that are invaded
C) Using plant diversity sustainably:
Target 11: No species of wild flora endangered by international trade
Target 12: All wild-harvested plant-based products sourced sustainably
Target 13: Indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices associated with
plant resources maintained or increased, as appropriate, to support customary use,
sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health care.
D) Promoting education and awareness about plant diversity:
Target 14: The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation
incorporated into communication, educational and public-awareness programmes
E) Building capacity for the conservation of plant diversity:
Target 15: The number of trained people working with appropriate facilities sufficient
according to national needs, to achieve the targets of this strategy
Target 16: Institutions, networks and partnerships for plants conservation established or
strengthened at national, regional and international levels to achieve the targets of this
strategy
(Don’t need to remember all of the specific targets – just the 5 broad areas)
2004: UK’s response to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation
2007: progress was reviewed – 10 recommendations
2010: The Global Strategy was further updated
How species diversity indices are calculated for comparisons across
habitats
Differences in plant species diversity across habitats:
Vascular plant diversity decreased by 9.8% between 1998 and 2007
7 of the 10 broad habitats showed significant decreases (acid grassland, broadleaved, mixed and
yew woodland, coniferous woodland, bog, improved grassland, fen, marsh and swamp, and
neutral grassland)
Impacts seen in butterfly and bird foodplants
Note that Fen marsh and swamp have the highest plant diversity but these are areas that are
frequently ‘improved’ through drainage for agricultural use.
Measuring species diversity: Biological diversity is often assessed by considering:
RICHNESS – number of species in a sample
