European Red List of Vascular Plants - European Commission

7. Recommendations
7.1 Overview and recommendations for
conservation measures
This is the first step towards a European Red List of
Vascular Plants, providing information on the threat
status of 1,826 selected plant species. Plants are of major
importance to ecosystems and livelihoods supplying
the planet and humankind with essential resources
such as oxygen, food and medicines. Aquatic plants are
fundamental for the functioning of freshwater ecosystems.
Crop wild relatives have a critical role in food security
and economic stability, given the growing problem of
global food insecurity resulting from climate change and
other threats (as well as the global inter-dependence of
nations in terms of food security). In order to improve
the conservation status of European vascular plants and
to halt the loss of diversity, a number of conservation
measures are urgently needed. In particular:
Integrate European vascular plant conservation actions
and requirements into policy and legislation
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Use this European Red List of Vascular Plants when
revising relevant European, regional and national
legislation, to improve the conservation status of
threatened species.
Improve policy measures to reduce the impact of
habitat degradation, fragmentation and isolation,
in particular related to future urban and tourism
development, and to conserve wildlife habitats
in Europe, especially the Common Agricultural
Policy.
Improve the integration of biodiversity and
agrobiodiversity conservation activities to ensure
better knowledge and implementation.
Expand the knowledge base on European vascular
plants
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Conduct further research on threatened European
species and ensure the adequate management of
their habitats to underpin conservation programmes
and identify gaps in conservation actions.
Reassess threatened plant species regularly and
when new information becomes available.
Prioritise fieldwork and data collection for Data
Deficient species to determine whether they are in
need of conservation attention.
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Establish a co-ordinated system of vascular plant
recording and monitoring in every European
country to improve future priority assessments and
assess the impact of conservation measures and
future environmental change.
Undertake research on the potential impacts of
climate change, which presents a new degree of
threat, in particular to food security.
Ensure that European vascular plants are appropriately
conserved in situ and ex situ
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Undertake systematic gap analysis of all
threatened and priority species to ensure
adequate in situ and ex situ conservation of plant
diversity.
Draw up Species Action (Recovery) Plans to cover
all threatened European vascular plant species.
Improve the protection of habitats throughout
Europe to include key individual sites and whole
landscapes. In particular, protect and manage
the network of Important Plant Areas that have
been identified in European countries that are
not all members of the EU 27 and integrate
those sites into the Natura 2000 network, as well
as coordinate the establishment of a network of
CWR genetic reserves (where possible based on
existing Natura 2000 sites).
Identify specific geographical and agricultural
areas within which there is a need to maintain
traditional land management practices such as
low intensity grazing.
Develop adequate ex situ conservation as a backup
measure for threatened species by preserving
them in botanic gardens or gene bank collections.
Inter- and intra-specific genetic diversity should
be systematically taken into account. The material
collected should be accessible to plant breeders,
conservationists, researchers and other noncommercial
stakeholders.
Improve capacity-building and awareness
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Strengthen the network of European plant experts by
providing training and improving communication,
including the mobilisation of financial resources.
Specialist Groups play a vital role in the plant expert
network.
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