Research & Article

Thailand’s diverse flora is under threat from extensive habitat degradation and illegal plant collection. The activities of botanic gardens, in cooperation with other organisations and authorities at regional and national levels, are vital for in situ and ex situ conservation of threatened plant taxa as well as habitat restoration. Additionally, participatory educational outreach strategies increase awareness of the importance of plants and support for their conservation. This paper reports on a botanic garden which has been established recently in northern Thailand, and the far-sighted vision of its Director. Orchids are particularly vulnerable due to their widespread appeal, and so, the creation of a regional ‘Orchid Ark’ has formed a significant step towards maintenance of an ex situ gene pool. Reliance on biodiversity preservation in organisations which are spatially distant from regions of conservation concern inevitably correlates negatively with geographical and taxonomic coverage within living collections. The establishment of Arks (not exclusively for orchids) in the floristic regions to which their taxa are native would present a valuable asset, as each would serve as a repository for genetic conservation in the short term and a proximate source of material reintroductions and restoration once appropriate land had been secured.