Plant species with small habitat ranges and specific edaphic requirements are highly vulnerable to extinction and thus require enhanced attention in biodiversity conservation. Most species within the mega-diverse plant genus Begonia are particularly vulnerable due to their rarity, which is a result of their high ecological specialization.

In a study published in Integrative Conservation, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) and Mahidol University of Thailand explored the challenges of protecting such plant species by evaluating the in situ and ex situ conservation capacities available for Thailand's species of the mega-diverse plant genus Begonia.

The researchers assembled the most comprehensive data set of Begonia occurrence records in Thailand, carried out spatial biodiversity analyses, assessed the extinct threat status of each species using IUCN Criterion B, determined the occurrence within and outside protected areas, and finally identified the number of species currently cultivated in the country's botanical gardens.

In total, 2484 occurrence records of Begonia species in Thailand were obtained via the integration of several data collection strategies. 

They found that 78% of Thai Begonia species are at risk of extinction, and the northern flora region is identified as a hotspot for Begonia species and an area with significant conservation gaps. While existing natural parks and other protection areas offer refuge for many species—covering nearly 90% of the Begonia species diversity in Thailand—additional conservation measures are required to achieve the goal of zero extinction. Only 13% of species exist in botanical gardens, and no seed banks or other related activities have been initiated.

The researchers advocate for the implementation of multi-component conservation strategies in order to enable Thailand to move towards zero species extinction, even for plant species with narrow habitat ranges and high soil specialization.

“The conservation of rare plant species is best approached by implementing a multi-component conservation strategy, which is key to ensuring the long-term viability of these species and moving closer to the goal of zero species extinction,” said Harald Schneider of XTBG.

Contact

Harald Schneider  Ph.D Principal Investigator

Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China  

E-mail: harald@xtbg.ac.cn 

First published: 19 September 2024