The first Asian Plant Conservation Report has been launched at COP10. The report provides much useful information on progress made by Asian countries towards the targets of the GSPC and highlights cases studies relevant to each target. The report clearly demonstrates the beneficial influence of the GSPC in stimulating plant conservation action across the region – one that is exceptionally high in plant diversity. While significant progress is reported against most of the targets, the rapid growth of populations and economies across the region continues to threaten plant diversity. As noted in the report, the illegal trade in plants such as orchids and medicinal plants is a major contributor to plant loss in the region, and clearly greater efforts are needed to address this. Apart from anything else, the report provides an excellent overview of interesting plant conservation tools and practices that exist in different parts of Asia.
The report is published by the Chinese National Committee for Diversitas and copies can be downloaded at: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/first_asian_plant_conservation_report_lowres.pdf
