Plants for life: - Sacred Seeds Sanctuary

Annex 7: BGCI regional action plan for medicinal plant conservationRegion / Country General description Ongoing and planned activities Potential partnersEAST ASIA• ChinaMedicinal plants are of immenseimportance in China. Some 11,164species are reported in China’s National• Magnolia ex situ collection survey:- gap analysis with special reference toChinese Academy ofSciencesStrategy for Plant Conservation (CSPC,medicinal Magnolias (e.g. M. officinalisState Forestry2007) as used in TCM. The CSPC,and M. denudata)Administrationrecently produced in response to the- strengthen ex situ collections andGSPC, reflects the values andin situ conservation, andState Environmentalconservation needs of native medicinalplants.The development and implementation ofBGCI’s medicinal plants conservationactivities in China is coordinated by itsoffice in Guangzhou, South China, andsupports a number of national targets,particularly;Target 3 – Research and exploration ofapplication models for plant conservationand sustainable use.Target 7 – In situ conservation ofthreatened speciesTarget 8 – Ex situ conservation andrecovery plans for threatened species- reintroduction into the original habitat.• Undertake Quercus ex situ collectionsurveys and explore the potential tostrengthen ex and in situ conservationof threatened oaks. Examples ofChinese oaks with medicinal propertiesinclude: Quercus acutissima,Q.dentata, Q.glauca, Q.semecarpifolia.• Explore ex situ and in situ conservationinitiatives for other threatened species,notably: Aristolochia tuberosa,Eucommia ulmoides, Dactylorhizahatagirea, Cordyceps sinensis, Parispolyphylla var. yunnanensis, GastrodiaProtectionAdministrationGlobal TreesCampaignTarget 11 – No species of wild floraelata, Eremosparton songoricum andendangered by international tradeCinnamomum mairei.Target 12 – Strengthening sustainableuse and management of plant-based• Pursue conservation assessments ofproductsRhododendrons in China to includeTarget 13 – Halting the decline of plantmedicinal species such asresources that support livelihoods andRhododendron molle, R. aureum,associated traditional knowledge.R. anthopogon and R. arboreum.SOUTH EAST ASIATaxa of primary attention for BGCI in this• The initial phase of the projectResearch Institute of• Vietnam, Laos,region include Aquilaria spp., Cibotiumdevelopment will include:Science, Lao PDRCambodia,barometz, Stephania and Ardisia spp.a) Detailed target species andIndonesiaOver-harvesting in the wild has led topopulation assessments;Hanoi University ofserious declines of populations ofb) Assessment of the potential forPharmacy, VietnamCibotium barometz in Indonesia, and ofconservation of remainingvarious species of Aquilaria, Stephaniapopulations in situ and identificationDepartment of Natureand Ardisia in Vietnam, Laos andof suitable areas for reintroductions;Conservation andCambodia. The development of recoveryc) Ex situ conservation: collection ofProtection, Ministry ofprogrammes for these taxa will serve asplant propagation material, andEnvironment,BGCI pilot initiatives for reintroduction ofmultiplication in botanic and homeCambodiathreatened medicinal plants in Southgardens – involvement of localEast Asia into their habitat of origin.communities;Cibodas Botanicd) Production of public awarenessGardens, Indonesiamaterials and policy guidelines forrecovery of threatened medicinalplants for decision makers;e) Reintroduction into the originalhabitat.46Plants for life: Medicinal plant conservation and botanic gardens