Wild plant horizons · updates thereafter for British basidiomycetes - DEFRA-funded projects on combined molecular and morphological taxonomy of waxcaps, earthtongues and mosses in

An amended and updated Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) was endorsed by the world’s governments at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in Nagoya in October 2010 (CBD COP10). This worldwide strategy seeks to halt the continuing loss of plant diversity, recognising that: “Without plants there is no life. The functioning of the planet and our survival depends on plants.” The latest GSPC contains 16 targets under five updated objectives:

I: Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognised; II: Plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved; III: Plant diversity is used in a sustainable and equitable manner; IV: Education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in

sustainable livelihoods and importance to all life on Earth is promoted;

V: The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the Strategy have been developed.

The CBD and many governments across the world consider the GSPC to be a great success. First agreed in 2001 the GSPC has a decade long success record of raising the profile of plant diversity and inspiring numerous initiatives to conserve wild plants. As with the CBD Strategic Plan, governments worldwide have committed to undertake activities to achieve the GSPC targets. In the UK the devolved administrations published Plant Diversity Challenge, detailing the action needed to enable delivery of the 16 targets to 2010. Today’s challenge is to integrate delivery towards achieving the new GSPC targets by 2020 into national and local natural environment plans and action.

Wild plant horizons Taking forward the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2011-2020

Algae, fungi and plants The GSPC at international level is focused at all plant groups, including algae, and acknowledges that fungi are a separate kingdom. All action to conserve plants and fungi can contribute towards delivery of the GSPC targets at international level, however in the UK there exists a distinct strategy for the conservation of fungi – Saving the forgotten kingdom 2008-2015

The UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) confirmed that plants and fungi are the fundamental building blocks underpinning the huge hidden value of the natural world, in terms of the economic, social and health benefits that they provide to the nation. The UK NEA research reports show the level of importance of different biodiversity groups – from lichens, seaweeds and flowering plants to birds and mammals – in providing different

‘ecosystem services’ for the UK. Plants and fungi deliver more value to the UK than any other wildlife groups mentioned in the research, with land plants and fungi playing a fundamental role in underpinning all provisioning and regulating services such as water supply and climate regulation. In order to secure the services and benefits bought by plant diversity, we need to ensure the GSPC is delivered. Everyone has a part to play. Governments are committed to delivering and reporting back on

the GSPC targets. Research institutes should align their agendas to understand more

about the beneficial ecosystem services that plant diversity provides.

Conservation organisations must ‘plant-proof’ their work

programmes. Landowners should take advantage of incentives offered to

undertake management options which maximise plant and fungal diversity and therefore deliver quality ecosystem services including other wildlife.

Businesses can embrace the sustainable use of plant products. Everyone is able to take advantage of the many opportunities to

learn about and enjoy plants & fungi in the wild.

The global strategy, Plant Diversity Challenge and success across the UK An assessment of achievements under Plant Diversity Challenge illustrates the many success stories resulting from the focus brought by the GSPC in the UK. Most notably these include an increase in the awareness of plants and fungi as underpinning elements of the natural environment and wildlife agenda.

Objective 1 understanding and documenting plant diversity

Across the UK we benefit from a well established interest in plants; the first ever flora (catalogue of plants) was published about Cambridge by John Ray in 1660. This national interest in our wild plants has enabled excellent progress in completing checklists of known species from the UK for plant and fungus groups ranging from seed plants and ferns to rusts and smuts. In turn, our knowledge about the UK’s wild plants has enabled threat status assessments using IUCN guidance (known as Red Data Lists) to be initiated at GB level. The devolution of biodiversity delivery has encouraged the development of national Red Data Lists to allow countries to focus on those species most important to their own national conservation aims. Key challenge: increase the levels of mycological expertise and capacity. Produce checklists for all non-basidiomycete fungi, and official red data lists at UK, GB or country level for checklisted fungal groups commencing with basidiomycetes. Where progress has been slower is the development of best practice methods for plant conservation. An imbalance in available resources compared to the proportion of the natural environment which plants and fungi represent translates into fewer research projects into plant conservation methods. Key challenge: convert into wider practice the application of land management practices that support the role of plants and fungi in delivering ecosystem services.

Specific successes: Red Data Lists have been produced at the GB level for vascular plants, bryophytes

lichens and stoneworts. For vascular plants and bryophytes, the threat status of all species has been assessed, allowing us to quantify this threat: 28.7% of vascular plants and 33.2% of bryophytes are threatened in Great Britain. These lists have been used to inform the selection UK BAP Priority species. An online RDL was produced for fungi of Great Britain and Isle of Man on behalf of the British Mycological Society.

In Wales, Red Data Lists for vascular plants and lichens have been published, and a list for bryophytes is in press. These assessments have been used to add priorities for conservation in Wales, such as Globe Flower, into the Section 42 List alongside UK BAP species.

Production of Checklist of British and Irish Basidiomycota (CBIB) and online updates thereafter for British basidiomycetes - www.basidiochecklist.info

DEFRA-funded projects on combined molecular and morphological taxonomy of waxcaps, earthtongues and mosses in UK.

DNA barcoding of all British liverworts by Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh is increasing the rate of discovery of new records and new species.

Objective 2 conserving plant diversity

The UK-wide Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) provided the framework for prioritising species and habitats for conservation action over the past decade, with country biodiversity and environment strategies building on these priority lists. The last review of BAP in 2005 outlined over 900 species which met the criteria for being in need of conservation action – over half of these are plants and fungi. Together with the GB Red Data List of vascular plants which shows 1 in 5 vascular plants to be threatened with extinction, and the evidence that plants and fungi are essential in all ecosystems from the UK National Ecosystem Assessment, there can be little room for debate on the need to increase collective effort to conserve plant and fungal diversity. Progress since the publication of Plant Diversity Challenge on the targets under this objective include the identification of a network of Important Plant Areas across the UK, success with delivering priority plants in Wales, publication of a framework for tackling invasive Rhododendron in Scotland, and the use of agri-environment scheme payments to sustain Important Arable Plant Areas in England. However, much greater effort is needed to truly integrate the conservation of plant and fungal diversity into UK wide sustainable land and sea management, be that farming, forestry, fisheries or development. Key challenge: stimulate the political will required to plant proof all publicly funded rural development schemes to improve plant diversity. Specific successes:

Production of Important Fungus Areas report in 2001. This is an audit of nationally important sites for fungal diversity across the UK, published to aid the protection and effective management of key sites.

In 2004, Plantlife began working with 17 conservation organisations to identify Important Plant Areas across the UK. An inventory of 155 sites, which are areas of exceptional botanical importance in an international context, was published in 2007. The sites include flowering plants, lichens, bryophytes and marine and freshwater algae. Since then, work has been completed to map the boundaries of these sites, raise their profile amongst conservation partners, and target work to improve their protection

In Wales, conservation work using classic species-recovery models are now paying dividends. Of 59 original UK BAP species, populations of nearly 60% can be shown to be either stable or recovering. Perhaps most remarkable is Three-lobed Water-crowfoot, where a combination of reintroduction of grazing to heathland sites, pool restoration and improved survey have increased the number of known sites from 17 sites in 1991 to 41 in 2011;

Plantlife and NE published the results of a rapid risk assessment screening process developed to help identify the invasive potential of non-native species. Almost 600 plants have been screened and each has been assigned a broad level of invasive threat. Of these 600 taxa, Plantlife recommends a shortlist of plants for which the more detailed risk assessment is considered imperative and/or prudent and a list of plants for which such assessment is deemed currently unnecessary, thereby helping to prioritise limited resources; and

Farmers have been advised on the best agri-environment options to select to conserve communities of arable plants and rare arable species through the Important Arable Plant Area project, supported by Natural England and other funders, led by Plantlife and partners such as FWAG.

Objective 3 using plant diversity sustainably

Plants and fungi provide a wide range of resources, from food and energy to medicine and building products. This objective focuses on strengthening measures to limit the unsustainable use of plants and fungi and supporting livelihoods relying on the sustainable use of plant resources. The commercial use of plants and fungi is well documented and resourced, whereas smaller scale traditional use, including foraging and woodfuel collection, is not so well recognised despite the livelihoods supported and the knowledge held by practitioners. Key challenge: Support targeted monitoring of the impact of use to inform and guide sustainable use practices across the world.

Specific successes: In 2003, the Scottish Wild Mushroom Forum, a group of representatives from

conservation organisations, landowners, mushroom buyers and pickers, created the Scottish Wild Mushroom code. This provides guidance to ensure that harvesting is sustainable. In 2006, a similar code was developed for harvesting mosses in Scotland.

There are examples of business that rely entirely on the sustainable use of plant products. The Vera Bluebell Farm (Gwynedd, north Wales), for example, sells native bluebell bulbs and seed collected under licence. As part of the licence agreement with CCW, experimental trials have been undertaken to determine the sustainable level of bluebell harvest, and the results are used to inform the annual quantities of bulbs that are harvested.

Multiplication of UK native species in cultivation for use in ecological restoration, and the utilisation of semi-natural vegetation for direct harvesting of seed and seed-rich vegetation for use in restoring degraded land

Objective 4 promoting education and awareness about plant diversity

A key success of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation has been to raise the profile of plants and fungi. This objective focuses on mobilising the necessary popular and political support for plant conservation and sustainable use. It articulates and emphasises the importance of plant diversity, goods and services that plants provide. This objective is crucial for the achievement of all the targets in the strategy and should not be seen in isolation or marginalised to formal teaching and education of young people in classroom environments. Whilst strategies are not direct action themselves they can provide focus and inspiration to channel activity. The publication in recent years of strategies for lower plants and fungi are one such measure of improved awareness within governmental and conservation sectors. Similarly, publication of the Ghost Orchid Declaration, Plantlife’s manifesto for plants, took crucial issues for plant conservation into the heart of the Governments in Westminster, Cardiff and Holyrood. As well raising the profile of plants amongst the wider general public, various target audiences play a critical role in the conservation of plants. Land owners and land managers are vital in ensuring the sustainable management of plant populations. While good opportunities exist to work directly with large land-owning conservation bodies, such as the National Trust and RSPB, the myriad of private landowners are more difficult to engage. Key challenge: engage private land owners in the fight to conserve wild plants and fungi diversity through appropriate land management practices.

Specific successes: The UK’s response to the GSPC, Plant Diversity Challenge, was published in 2004 by the

Joint Nature Conservation Committee and endorsed by Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland. Progress towards delivery was reported in 2007.

In response to the issues of the conservation of lower plants and fungi, strategies to provide a framework for delivery and raise awareness have been published in Wales and Scotland. A UK strategy for the conservation of fungi has also been produced.

Various national surveys and projects aim to improve contact between the public and wild plants. Plantlife’s Wildflowers Count is a unique, easy-to-do annual survey that invites participants to record common flowers they encounter on a local walk (in 2010, 760 surveys were completed), while the Wild About Plants project is focused at getting children, young people and families involved in expeditions, activities and local events & training opportunities, as well as providing habitat flower guides to learn more about wild plants and the places they live. Currently 15,000 people have been engaged with this project.

From Another Kingdom is a touring exhibition from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This interactive exhibition reveals the intimate details of fungi in a way they have never been shown before, challenging misconceptions and showing how they are vital to the survival of life on earth.

The Great Plant Hunt, developed by RBG Kew on behalf of the Wellcome Trust, invited primary school children to follow in the footsteps of Darwin by going on nature walks in and around their school grounds. The resources included internet materials for all ages and native plant identification guides provided to every state primary school.

Objective 5 building capacity for the conservation of plant diversity

The involvement of organisations and individuals from across the plant conservation community, including academia, museums, botanic gardens, non-governmental organisations, expert societies, and all levels of government has been important in achieving the successes described above. However, plant conservation limited by a lack of expertise, both within government agencies and NGOs and specialist societies, as noted by the House of Lords in 2008. Key challenge: To halt the loss of plant science undergraduate courses and other training which provides field identification skills and ensure the continuation of specialist positions requiring botanical expertise within government and local authorities. The Plant Link networks in England, Scotland and Wales, organised through Plantlife, bring together a wide range of governmental, charitable and voluntary organisations with active interests in plant conservation. Plant Links operate with a remit to deliver the GSPC at country level. By working together this helps to ensure efficiency and achieve added value.

Specific successes: A Lichen Apprenticeship Schemes has been established Wales. This provides specialist

training through workshops and field meetings with the specific remit to foster the next generation of experts with sufficient competency to fill agency post and undertake consultancy.

The Botanical Society of the British Isles has increased its number of paid staff from one in 2002 to eight in 2011. This includes establishment of the Plant Unit, with a remit to develop scientific uses of the BSBI’s data and provide services to academia and the conservation sector, and the appointment of Officers in Scotland and Wales.

BTCV Scotland’s Natural Talent Apprentice scheme provides up to 18 month apprenticeships in key conservation fields, where future expertise is required. Since its launch in 2006, the scheme has trained 10 apprentices in plant and fungi related areas.

GSPC implementation 2011-2020 The CBD Strategic Plan has 20 targets, many of which are similar to GSPC targets and therefore all activities carried out under the GSPC also help to deliver against CBD Strategic Plan.

Action & key test: governments have updated their national strategies to take account of the CBD conclusions from Nagoya. In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland revised biodiversity strategies must include reference to the GSPC alongside the CBD Strategic Plan.

Within the UK, co-ordination of GSPC is being undertaken by an Implementation Group of the following organisations:

Countryside Council for Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government Joint Nature Conservation Council Natural England on behalf of Defra Northern Ireland Department of Environment Plantlife Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Scottish Natural Heritage of behalf of the Scottish Government

The Global Partnership for Plant Conservation is a network of organisations actively working on the GSPC. The Partnership (led by Botanic Gardens Conservation International and including IUCN) is working on the development of an online toolkit for the GSPC, to assist anyone who wants to start working on GSPC targets. See www.plants2020.net for more information.

Taking forward the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation across the UK by 2020 The table below shows the linkages between the GSPC and the CDB Strategic Plan targets, and outlines how specific action for the majority of aims of the GSPC will also enable delivery of the CBD. For additional actions relating to fungi the table below should be read in conjunction with ‘Saving the forgotten kingdom – a strategy for the conservation of the UK’s fungi 2008-2015’, published by Plantlife on behalf of the Fungus Conservation Forum and in conjunction with British Mycological Society, Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England and The National Trust; and also The Strategy for Conservation of Lower Plants and Fungi in Scotland published in 2005 by Plant Link Scotland; and A Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation of Lower Plants and Fungi in Wales 2009-2015, Ray Woods & Plant Link Cymru, published in 2009 by Plantlife on behalf of Plant Link Cymru.

GSPC Target 1: An online flora of all known plants

CBD target No similar target

Action needed across the UK to deliver GSPC and CBD targets

Complete agreed GB checklists for lichens & fungi. Upload all completed species checklists to the NBN dictionary and ‘global online resource’.

Information Agreed GB checklists exist for vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, freshwater and marine algae and basiodiomycete fungi. No checklists exist for other fungi.

GSPC Target 2: An assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, as far as possible, to guide conservation action

CBD target No similar target.


Address gaps in GB Red Lists coverage by completing assessments for outstanding freshwater & marine algae and fungi groups.

Assess need for, and complete where appropriate, Red Lists for plants and fungi at country level.

GB and country Red Lists used to prioritise the conservation needs of plants and fungi. Information Agreed GB Red Lists exist for vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens and stoneworts.

GSPC Target 3: Information, research and associated outputs, and methods necessary to implement the Strategy developed and shared

CBD target T19: By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved, widely shared and transferred, and applied.


Research fora and institutes align their priorities with those identified as key to delivering the GSPC targets.

The effects of experimental land management, for conservation purposes, on the land holdings of government and environmental NGOs is documented in relation to the impacts on plant and fungal diversity and published online.

Government departments and agencies update all natural environment strategies and plans to take account of key findings.

Recommendations for improving vascular plant surveillance are taken forward in country-level surveillance strategies.

Information Key research areas to enable successful delivery of the GSPC include the role of plants and fungi in delivering ecosystem services and applying the ecosystem approach; the links between plants, fungi and other wildlife in landscape scale conservation; sustainable use of plants and fungi.

Successful conservation practices can be shared through conservation evidence groups, including www.conservationevidence.com and www.conserveonline.org

Reference: Walker, K., Dines, T., Hutchinson, N., Freeman, S., (2010), Designing a new plant surveillance scheme for the UK, JNCC Report 440, ISSN 0963 8901440, ISSN 0963 8901.

GSPC Target 4: At least 15 per cent of each ecological region or vegetation type secured through effective management and/or restoration

CBD target T5: By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced. T15: By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced, through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15 per cent of degraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification.


Cross-reference vegetation types against priority habitat categories, and assess the status of vegetation types across the UK.

Assess the quantity and quality of each vegetation type within the protected sites network Document the existing and potential climate change mitigation and adaptation capacity of

vegetation types across the UK. Ensure that all protected sites and landscape-scale land management programmes fully

document and address the needs (maintenance or restoration) of all vegetation types.

Information This target is considered too low for the UK, where many semi-natural habitats holding naturally occurring vegetation are acutely fragmented and/or significantly degraded. In this situation it is considered vital to effectively maintain what is left and to focus on restoring degraded vegetation at an ecosystem and landscape scale.

The findings of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment in particular will contribute to the defining local-level actions required to deliver these improvements.

GSPC Target 5: At least 75 per cent 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

CBD target T11: By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.


Gaps in IPA protection and effective management identified, and solutions sought: Protected area networks and landscape-scale projects include conservation objectives to

deliver IPA core features. Rural development scheme payments targeted at IPA core areas. Landscape-scale initiatives aim to provide ecological resilience and coherence through

habitat restoration within and around IPAs using the Zones of Opportunity model.

Information The most important areas for plant diversity across the UK have been identified according to a set of criteria including endemism, species richness, and/or uniqueness of habitats. For information on the UK’s IPAs visit www.plantlife.org.uk

GSPC Target 6: At least 75 per cent of production lands in each sector managed sustainably, consistent with the conservation of plant diversity

CBD target T7: By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of biodiversity.


Ensure options are available in rural development schemes to deliver plant diversity requirements – especially those of priority species and IPA features.

Target uptake of appropriate rural development scheme options to support priority species and IPAs.

Monitor effect that rural development schemes are having on priority plants and fungi and IPAs.

At the highest political level undertake policy reform to address issue of eutrophication. Plant proof all rural development scheme applications as part of the assessment process Prioritise the urgent restoration of flower-rich habitats for pollinators to produce a

widespread and coherent network, ensuring that this is compatible with the conservation of botanically important habitats and existing seedbanks.

Information Production lands include all land under the influence of farming and forestry.

This GSPC target also links to Target 3 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy – To increase the contribution of agriculture and forestry to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity.

Reference: Duckworth, J., Davis, R. & Costley, J. (2002) Junk Food For Plants: How nutrient pollution is threatening the UK’s wild flora. Plantlife International.

GSPC Target 7: At least 75 per cent of known threatened species conserved in situ

CBD target T12: By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.


All SSSIs and protected landscapes include conservation objectives to delivery for priority plants and fungi.

Local-level delivery partnerships include action for national priority plants and fungi. National species recovery programmes in place, where necessary, to facilitate collective

action and achieve nationals ambitions. Ensure all national biodiversity delivery plans identify and prioritise action for priority plants

and fungi. Information Action relating to this target should allow for habitat and ecological restoration to enable its

achievement, thereby linking to target 5 on IPAs. The application of rural development schemes links threatened species into target 6.

GSPC Target 8: At least 75 per cent of threatened plant species in ex-situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 per cent available for recovery and restoration programmes

CBD target No similar target, but linked to T12.


Assess level of representation of threatened species in UK Botanic Gardens, differentiating between those in a collection (static) and those being used for re-introduction (active).

Establish database of on-going projects where ex-situ research is contributing to in-situ management work, and reintroduction projects.

Develop register of ex-situ research themes to support in-situ conservation. Assess the representation of threatened species in National Plant Collections and determine

their conservation value. Assess the genetic diversity of threatened plants in cultivation in the UK through a pilot

project. Information Action should focus on demonstrating how ex-situ research can support in-situ recovery and

restoration of species.

GSPC Target 9: 70 per cent of the genetic diversity of crops including their wild relatives and other socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, while respecting, preserving and maintaining associated indigenous and local knowledge

CBD target T13: By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives, including other socio-economically as well as culturally valuable species, is maintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity.


Develop a national inventory of UK crop land races and other socio-economic plant species. Ensure the importance of crop wild relatives and land races is recognised and represented in

living collections, preferably in an agricultural or horticultural context, or in botanic gardens and seed banks.

Ensure options are available in rural development schemes to support use of traditional land races in local areas and planting of traditional local cultivars.

Promote the role of National Plant Collections, especially to conserve and make available local heritage cultivars (e.g. apples, perry pears).

Information Combining genebank, on farm, and other in situ approaches, the target could be reached for all crops and other socio-economic species in production.

GSPC Target 10: Effective management plans in place to prevent new biological invasions and to manage important areas for plant diversity that are invaded

CBD target T9: By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment..


Utilise the precautionary principle enshrined in the GB Framework Strategy for INNS, by implementing a ban on sale for any species considered to present a high invasive risk after full assessment.

Implement targeted and strategic control at Important Plant Areas threatened by non-native invasive species.

Produce national management plans for the most serious invasive species already causing problems in the wild, including methodologies for control and priority sites for eradication.

Complete the Species Risk Assessments for all priority species and promote their use Engage with gardeners and horticulturists on the risks of invasive plants, and find ways to

support greater responsibility in managing plant material. Focus research on the taxonomy of horticultural plants known or suspected to be invasive to

support correct identification and nomenclature.

Information This target of the GSCP also links to Target 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy – To control invasive alien species (IAS) - By 2020, Invasive Alien Species and their pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species controlled or eradicated, and pathways are managed to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS.

A risk assessment process for potentially invasive plants is already in place [see https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/index.cfm?sectionid=51]

Governments in England, Wales and Scotland already have powers available to ban the sale of invasive species.

GSPC Target 11: No species of wild flora endangered by international trade

CBD target No similar target, but some linkages to T4 and T6


Identify species where collection for both national and international trade, horticultural or medicinal use is a genuine national or local threat.

Ensure adequate UK implementation of CITES. No UK species threatened by the importation of non-native species that pose an invasive

risk or are highly likely to pose such a risk. Maintain a watching brief on native species currently being traded. Lead: Wildlife Law

Enforcement Group. Update and promote guidance for gardeners on bringing plants back from the wild,

including more information on legal aspects.

GSPC Target 12: All wild harvested plant-based products sourced sustainably

CBD target T4:By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to achieve or have implemented plans for sustainable production and consumption and have kept the impacts of use of natural resources well within safe ecological limits. T6: By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested sustainably, legally and applying ecosystem based approaches, so that overfishing is avoided, recovery plans and measures are in place for all depleted species, fisheries have no significant adverse impacts on threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries on stocks, species and ecosystems are within safe ecological limits.


Ensure all plant products have at least one appropriate certification scheme available that covers ecological sustainability of plant resources.

Bring together research and evidence to increase sustainable use of locally important grassland, heathland and woodland products.

Information Plant-based products include food products, timber, paper and other wood-based products, other fibre products, and ornamental, medicinal and other plants for direct use, including non-timber forest products, local land races, wild relatives of crops, and neglected and underutilised plant resources.

GSPC 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

CBD target T18: By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels.


Promote links between sustainable use of plant products to locally sourced agenda, to producers and consumers.

Revise Flora Britannica and Flora Celtica to provide up-to-date and comprehensive resource on indigenous and local knowledge and practices.

Information The sustainable use element of this target links with target 12. There is scope for the UK addressing its impact on sustainable livelihoods overseas through action on this target.

GSPC Target 14: The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation incorporated into communication, education and public awareness programmes

CBD target T1: By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.


Campaign to raise political and public awareness on Green gardening issues, including peat, invasive species, use of native species in private and public gardens.

Work to raise awareness amongst farmers on the value of farming practices that benefit wild plants, fungi and the soils that support them.

Work to raise awareness amongst land managers on the environmental and economic advantages to sustainably managed woodlands, heathlands and grasslands.

Provide readily accessible learning and recreational activities linked to plants and fungi for schools and community groups to use, to assist them in exploring and understanding their environment and encouraging local activism to look after it. And to actively promote and disseminate these resources.

Information Refers to both informal and formal education at all levels, including primary, secondary and tertiary education.

GSPC Target 15: The number of trained people working with appropriate facilities sufficient according to national needs, to achieve the targets of this Strategy

CBD target T20: By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization of financial resources for effectively implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 from all sources, and in accordance with the consolidated and agreed process in the Strategy for Resource Mobilization, should increase substantially from the current levels. This target will be subject to changes contingent to resource needs assessments to be developed and reported by Parties.


Develop and implement Plant and Fungus Apprenticeship Schemes to ensure field-trained individuals are available to fulfil needs of survey, monitoring and provision of technical advice.

Undertake comprehensive audit of NGO and Agency expertise to encourage succession planning and ensure capacity matches balance of priority species at country level.

Information Increased capacity should be understood to include not only in-service training, but also the training of stakeholders and decision makers, particularly at the community level.

Reference: Developing a National Strategy in taxonomy and systematics 2011, report prepared for the Natural Environment Research Council by expert working group.

GSPC Target 16: Institutions, networks and partnerships for plant conservation established or strengthened at national, regional and international levels to achieve the targets of this Strategy

CBD target T17: By 2015 each Party has developed, adopted as a policy instrument, and has commenced implementing an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity strategy and action plan.


Governments update their national strategies to take account of the CBD conclusions from Nagoya including reference to the GSPC alongside the CBD Strategic Plan.

Plant Link networks and the inter-agency plant group are sufficiently resourced and co-ordinated to function effectively.

Consider a replacement to the Fungus Conservation Forum to support the implementation of UK and country fungi conservation strategies.

Information Plant Link networks exist at UK, Scotland, Wales & England level. PlantNetwork is the forum for Botanic Gardens in the UK.

The inter-agency plant group comprises botanists from Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage.

The Plant Conservation Genetic Workgroup co-ordinates research work at the GB level.

References

1. http://www.cbd.int/gspc/strategy.shtml 2. Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (2009) The Convention on Biological Diversity Plant Conservation

Report : A Review of Progress in Implementing the Global Strategy of Plant Conservation (GSPC). 3. Defra, Welsh Assembly Government, Scottish Government & Department of Environment Northern Ireland. (2004). Plant

Diversity Challenge - The UK's response to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

4. http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org/ 5. Bromley, J., Dines, T.D., Hutchinson, N., Long, D. (2009). The Ghost Orchid Declaration. Saving the UK’s Wild Flowers

Today. Plantlife International, Salisbury. 6. Manley, V.J., Cheffings, C.M. and Fay M.F. (2007) Plant Diversity Challenge: 3 Years - 16 Targets - 1 Challenge. Progress in

the UK towards the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. 7. Woods, R.G. (2008). A Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation of Lower Plants and Fungi in Wales. Plantlife

International, Salisbury. 8. Long, D., & Ward, S. (2005). Strategy for the Conservation of Lower Plants and Fungi in Scotland. Plantlife International,

Salisbury. 9. Fungus Conservation Forum (2008). Saving the Forgotten Kingdom. A Strategy for the Conservation of the UK’s Fungi: 2008-

2015. Plantlife International, Salisbury. 10. House of Lords Science and Technology Committee (2008) Systematics and Taxonomy: Follow-up 5th Report of Session 2007-

2008. London: The Stationery Office Limited.

Speaking up for wild plants

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Registered Charity Number: 1059559. Registered Company Number: 3166339. Registered in England and Wales. Charity registered in Scotland no. SC038951 © August 2012

Plantlife Scotland Balallan House, Allan Park, Stirling FK8 2QG Tel: +44 (0)1786 478509 [email protected]

Head office 14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1DX Tel: +44 (0)1722 342730 Fax: +44 (0)1722 329035 [email protected]

Plantlife Cymru Unit 14 Llys Castan, Ffordd Y Parc Parc Menai, Bangor Gwynedd, LL57 4FD Tel: +44 (0)1248 670691 [email protected]

This report is a second edition. It has been prepared on behalf of Plant Link and is sup-ported by:

Plant Link UK

Plant Links advance the conservation of wild plants by facilitating the exchange of information between organisations involved in plant and fungi conservation. Plant Link UK, Plant Link Scotland and Plant Link Cymru provide fora, at country and UK level, to initiate, promote and coordinate joint activities that actively advocate for wild plants and fungi and their conservation.

This report includes input from Royal Botanic Garden Kew representatives on Plant Link.

Documents

Wild plant horizons · updates thereafter for British basidiomycetes - DEFRA-funded projects on combined molecular and morphological taxonomy of waxcaps, earthtongues and mosses in