Magazine of the species survival Commission specialist Group - IUCN

Protecting plants
The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation
beyond 2010
Arturo Mora, Programme Officer, IUCN Regional Office for South America
Plants form an integral part of the world’s biodiversity. They
are an essential source of food and medicine, play a key role
in maintaining ecosystem functions, and are critical for the
survival of wildlife. With many plants at risk of extinction due
to pressures from a multitude of threats, including
unsustainable forestry and agriculture, urban development,
pollution, invasive species and climate change, it is time to
focus our attention on the implementation of effective
conservation action.
In 2002, the Conference of the Parties adopted the Global
Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). The Strategy’s
ultimate and long-term objective is to halt the current and
continuing loss of plant diversity. The Strategy also considers
issues of sustainable use and benefit sharing, and aims to
contribute to poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
The Strategy includes 16 outcome-oriented global targets
set for 2010, including the evaluation of the conservation
status of these species around the world, and providing a
framework to facilitate harmony between existing initiatives. In
addition, it promotes plant conservation, by identifying gaps
where new initiatives are required and promoting mobilization
of the necessary resources. National and/or regional targets
for plant conservation may be developed within this flexible
framework.
The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation was the first
such strategy to be developed under the Convention on
Arupo chionanthus pubescens. © Arturo Mora
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