Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Botanical Gardens: A Reliable Tool for Documenting Sustainability Patterns in Vegetative Species

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Biodiversity in Africa: Potentials, Threats and Conservation

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development and Biodiversity ((SDEB,volume 29))

Abstract

Gardens are mapped out areas where plants like flowers, trees, spices, herbs, fruits, or vegetables are grown and/or cultivated for the impetus of conservation, aesthetics, or scientific studies. The specific role of botanical gardens all over the world is repositories of diverse collections of functional and utilitarian plants in their gardens and seed banks. Botanical gardens help increase public awareness of threats to plant diversity and promote education on biological conservation and preventing biodiversity loss while achieving sustainability and preventing extinction of germane plant life. Over-exploitation of forest resources has affected plant diversity and various species have been forced to go into extermination. Thus, it is imperative to protect and preserve the vegetative species which supports life and the functioning of our ecosystems. Botanical gardens’ strength and experience in conservation stem from their in-depth perception and understanding of the tutelage, management, and biology of a wide range of plant species. Ex situ and in situ conservation projects aiming at safeguarding endangered species, rebuilding imperilled populations, and maintaining living plant and seed collections of endangered species are some of the ways of improving the existence of botanical gardens. Improving the existence and impact of botanical gardens is tantamount to sustenance of vegetative species all over the world. The advent of greenhouse system in plant production has stimulated the production of plants, thereby avoiding extinction which may occur in the wild. With these immeasurable benefits, the production is affected by cost because plants need to be given full attention in terms of water and nutrient supply for optimal production. The greenhouse system of gardening is a fast-growing system which involves the production in a controlled environment. This measure has generated an increase in production per unit area based on the aim of the farmer and availability all year-round. This book chapter therefore describes the concept of botanical gardens, its economic importance, challenges, and potential strategies to be employed for sustainability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Africa.com (2019) 10 most beautiful gardens in Africa. Available at https://www.africa.com/top-10-beautiful-gardens-africa

  • Bischoff A, Steinger T, MĂĽller-Schärer H (2008) The important of plant provenance and genotypic diversity of seed material used for ecological restoration. Restor Ecol 18(3):338–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackmore S, Gibby M, Rae D (2011) Strengthening the scientific contribution of botanic gardens to the second phase of the global strategy for plant conservation. Bot J Linn Soc 166:267–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brancalion PHS, Viani RAG, Aronson J, Rodrigues RR, Nave AG (2011) Improving planting stocks for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest restoration through community-based seed harvesting strategies. Restor Ecol 20:704–711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen G, Sun W (2018) The role of botanical gardens in scientific research, conservation, and citizen science. Plant Diver 40:181–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Cannon CH, Hu HB (2009) Tropical botanic gardens: at the in-situ ecosystem management frontier. Trends Plant Sci 14:584–589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2009.08.010

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Corlett RT, Cannon CH (2017) The role of botanic gardens in in-situ conservation. In: Plant Conservation Science and Practice. Cambridge University Press, pp 73–101. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316556726.006

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee MPA, Wingfield BD, Harrington TC, Steimel J, Coutinho TA, Wingfiled MJ (2001) The root rot fungus Armillaria mellea introduced into South Africa by early Dutch settlers. Mol Ecol 10:387–396. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-294X.2001.01187

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee MPA, Wingfield BD, Roux J, Crous JPW, Denman S, Wingfield MJ (2003) Discovery of two northern hemisphere Armillaria species on Proteaceae in South Africa. Plant Pathol 52:604–612. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3059.2003.00879.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee MPA, Musasira NY, Roux J, Roets F, van der Merwe NA, Wingfield MJ (2018) Armillaria root rot spreading into a natural woody ecosystem in South Africa. Plant Pathol 67:883–891. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.12804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson JS (2009) Botanic gardens science for conservation and global change. Trends Plant Sci 14:608–613

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn CP (2017) Biological and cultural diversity in the context of botanic garden conservation strategies. Plant Divers. 39:396–401

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eskalen A, Stouthamer R, Lynch SC, Twizeyimana M, Gonzalez A, Thibault T (2013) Host range of Fusarium dieback and its ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) vector in southern California. Plant Dis 97:938–951

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glowka L, Burhenne-Guilmin B, Synge H, Mcneely J, Gundling L (1994) A Guide to the convention on biological diversity—environmental policy and law paper no. 3, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Golding J, GĂĽsewell S, Kreft H (2010) Species-richness patterns of the living collections of the world’s botanic gardens: a matter of socio-economics? Ann Bot 105:689–696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greene EL (1909) Landmarks of botanical history. Smithsonian Misc Coll 541:56–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Groenteman R, Forgie SA, Hoddle MS, Ward DF, Goeke DF, Anand N (2015) Assessing Invasion threats: novel insect-pathogen-natural enemy associations with native New Zealand plants in southern California. Biol Invas 17:1299–1305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-014-0804-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heywood VH (2011) The role of botanic gardens as resource and introduction centres in the face of global change. Biodivers Conserv 20:221–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes EM (1906) Horticulture in relation to medicine. Roy Hort Soc J 31:44–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang HW (2018) The principle and practice of ex situ plant conservation. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Hulbert JM, Paap T, Burgess TI, Roets F, Wingfield MJ (2019) Botanical gardens provide valuable baseline Phytophthora diversity data. Urban For Urban Green 46:126–461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2019.126461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulme PE (2011) Addressing the threat to biodiversity from botanic gardens. Trends Ecol Evol 26:168–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2011.01.005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hurley BP, Garnas J, Wingfield MJ, Branco M, Richardson DM, Slippers B (2016) Increasing numbers and intercontinental spread of invasive insects on eucalypts. Biol Invas 18:921–933. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-016-1081-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jalonen R, Valette M, Boshier D, Duminil J, Thomas E (2017) Forest and landscape restoration severely constrained by a lack of attention to the quantity and quality of tree seed: insights from a global survey Conservat. Letter 27. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.124

  • Keller T (1996) Botanic gardens educational involvement in the local community. In: Hobson C (ed) Third international botanic gardens conservation congress, vol 1992. BGCI, London, pp 187–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenis M, Hurley BP, Colombari F, Lawson S, Sun J, Wilcken C, Weeks R, Sathyapala S (ed) (2019) Guide to the classical biological control of insect pests in planted and natural forests. FAO Forestry Paper No. 182, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Kibungu Kemelo AO (2004) Trials on conserving mangosteen fruit in wet sawdust. – African Botanic Gardens Network Bulletin, 8. Retrieved from: www.bgci.org/africa/bulletin_8

  • Leung T (2016) 10 stunning greenhouse conservations around the world. Gardens + Landscape https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/greenhouse-conservatories-around- the-world. Accessed on the 20 Jan 2022

  • Liebhold A, Brockerhoff E, Garrett L, Parke J, Britton K (2012) Live plant imports: the major pathway for the forest insect and pathogen invasions of the US. Front Ecol Environ 10:135–143. https://doi.org/10.1890/110198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovett GM, Weiss M, Liebhold AM, Holmes TP, Leung B, Lambert KF et al (2016) Nonnative forest insects and pathogens in the United States: Impacts and policy options. Ecol Appl 26:1437–1455. https://doi.org/10.1890/15-1176

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mammides C, Goodale UM, Corlett RT (2016) Increase geographic diversity in the international conservation literature: a stalled process? Biol Conserv 198:78–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansfield S, McNeill MR, Aalders LT, Bell NL, Kean JM, Barratt BIP et al (2019) The value of sentinel plants for risk assessment and surveillance to support biosecurity. NeoBiota 48:1–24. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.48.34205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mounce R, Smith P, Brockington S (2017) Ex situ conservation of plant diversity in the worlds botanical gardens. Nat Plants 3:795–802. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-017-0019-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Donnell K, Sharrock S (2017) The contribution of botanic gardens to ex situ conservation through seed banking. Plant Divers 39:373–378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paap T, Wingfield MJ, Burgess TI, Hulbert JM, Santini A (2020) Harmonising the fields of Invasion science and forest pathology. Neo Biota 62:301–3032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2004.07.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pratt CF, Constantine KL, Murphy ST (2017) Economic impacts of invasive alien species on African smallholder livelihoods. Glob Food Sec 14:31–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2017.01.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ren H, Duan ZY (2017) The theory and practice on construction of classic botanical garden. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Salisbury A, Malumphy C, Halstead AJ (2011) First incursion of Aloea australis (Hemiptera: Miridae) and Pulvinaria delottoi (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in Europe, and three other Hemipteran insects imported from South Africa. Br J Ent Nat Hist 24:217–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Santini A, Ghelardini L, De Pace C, Desprez-Loustau ML, Capretti P, Chandelier A et al (2013) Biogeographical patterns and determinants of invasion by forest pathogens in Europe. New Phytol 197:238–250. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.201204364

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwedt G (2001) The Essential Guide to Environmental Chemistry (trans. by Brooks, H.). John Wiley, Chichester, p 256

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott-Brown AS, Hodgetts J, Simmonds MSJ, Collins DW (2018) Potential role of botanic garden collections in predicting hosts at risk globally from invasive pests: a case study using Scirtothrips dorsalis. J Pest Sci 91:60–611. https://doi.org/10.2307/2261425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva APM, Schweizer D, Marques HR, Cordeiro Teixeira AM, Nascente dos Santos TVM, Sambuichi RHR (2016) Can current native tree seedling production and Infrastructure meet an increasing forest restoration demand in Brazil? Restor Ecol 25(4):509–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun WB (2016) Words from the Guest Editor-in-Chief. Plant Divers 38:207–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tchotet Tchoumi JM, Coetzee MPA, Rajchenberg M, Roux J (2019) Taxonomy and species Diversity of Ganoderma species in the Garden Route National Park of South Africa inferred from morphology and multilocus phylogenies. Mycologia 11:730–747. https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.1635387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Timothy AM (2016) Greenhouse for beginners: best ways to make money from your greenhouse, pp 1–228

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP (UN Environment Programme) (2019) Global environment outlook: healthy planet, healthy people, 6th edn (GEO-6). UNEP, Nairobi and Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/global-environment-outlook-6

  • Urban MC (2015) Accelerating extinction risk from climate change. Science 348:571–573

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Volis S (2016) Conservation meets restoration rescuing threatened plant species by restoring their environments and restoring environments using threatened plant species Isr. J Plant Sci 63:262–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Willison J (2006) Education for sustainable development: guidelines for action in botanic gardens. BGCI, London, pp 19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Wingfield MJ, Brockerhoff EG, Wingfield BD, Slippers B (2015) Planted Forest health: the need for a global strategy. Science 349:832–836. https://doi.org/10.1126/science6674

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wondafrash M, Wingfield MJ, Wilson JRU, Hurley BP, Slippers B, Paap T (2019) Botanical gardens as key resources and hazards for biosecurity. Biodivers Conserv. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02180-0

  • Wyse Jackson PS (2001) International review of the ex situ plant collections of the Botanic Gard. Cons News 3(6):22–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyse Jackson PS, Kennedy K (2009) The global strategy for plant conservation: a challenge and opportunity for the international community. Trends Plant Sci 14:578–580

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wyse Jackson PS, Sutherland LA (2000) International agenda for Botanic gardens in conservation, 1st edn. Botanic gardens conversation international, U.K.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Production and Management, College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria

    Abiola Elizabeth Ojeleye

  2. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, College of Agriculture and Renewable Resources, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria

    Adams Ovie Iyiola

  3. Global Affairs and Sustainable Development Institute (GASDI), Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria

    Opeyemi Pamela Babafemi & Qudrat Solape Adebayo

Authors
  1. Abiola Elizabeth Ojeleye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Adams Ovie Iyiola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Opeyemi Pamela Babafemi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qudrat Solape Adebayo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abiola Elizabeth Ojeleye .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

    Sylvester Chibueze Izah

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Ojeleye, A.E., Iyiola, A.O., Babafemi, O.P., Adebayo, Q.S. (2022). Botanical Gardens: A Reliable Tool for Documenting Sustainability Patterns in Vegetative Species. In: Chibueze Izah, S. (eds) Biodiversity in Africa: Potentials, Threats and Conservation. Sustainable Development and Biodiversity, vol 29. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-3326-4_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation