Development of collaborative research projects in response to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation

Abstract

This paper describes the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and discusses the research responses needed in order to achieve some of the objectives and targets for 2010, identified in this Strategy. Targets include the aims (i) to conserve 70% of the genetic diversity of socio-economically valuable species, (ii) to develop protocols for plant conservation and sustainable use and (iii) to conserve 60% of threatened species ex situ. These targets will require the development of advanced technologies including in vitro and cryopreservation methods, particularly for many tropical species. They also require the identification and conservation of socio-economically important species within indigenous floras as many of our threatened species have potential as horticultural species or are wild relatives of important cultivated species. At Griffith University, we are actively involved in research and international collaboration aimed at developing advanced conservation technologies for tropical species, including horticultural species and their wild relatives. Current research projects and consultancies involve collaborative research in the Asia-Pacific region and active involvement and funding from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Millennium Seed Bank Project. The extent of these collaborations is discussed as well as a proposal for an Asia-Pacific Centre of Exce