IOS Sections -> Conservation

IOS Section Conservation

Coordinators:
Principal – Dr. Philip E. Downs, P.O.Box 717, Pukekohe, 1730 S.Auckland, New Zealand. E-mail :
Alternate – Dr. Wolfgang Stuppy, Threatened Plants Officer, Horticulture & Public Education Dept., Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, United Kingdom, tel.: ++44 (0)20 8332 5375, fax: ++ 44 (0)20 8332 5197. E-mail:

From the IOS Bulletin - 2000

by Philip E. Downs (Sect. Coordinator)

At the time of writing this I will have held the position of Conservation Section Coordinator for less than one year, so these are first impressions. This Section appears to have been dormant for some years. At the fiftieth IOS Congress in Zürich in March 2000 only two hours were devoted to conservation topics. At the next Congress in Phoenix I should like this imbalance to be corrected and, with member's support, a Conservation Symposium could be included.
As I am member of IUCN/SSC - Cactus & Succulent Specialist Group, there can now be increased liaison between the IOS Conservation Section and this recently revitalized group chaired by Dr. Ted Anderson. Many of our aims and objectives are complimentary.
Over recent years the problem of alien plant invaders has assumed major proportions and it is now the greatest threat to the elimination of indigenous species; even greater than habitat destruction. There is an overlap here with studies being undertaken by another IUCN/SSC specialist group and I feel this is an area where the IOS Conservation Section can take the initiative.
In the IUCN/SSC - CSSG "Action Plan" (published 1997) mentioned was made of proposed IOS Generic Reserve Collections, but, with one or two notable exceptions this scheme never really materialized. Such approved collections could be a valuable resource in ex situ conservation and I would hope that with sufficient interest the scheme could be revived.
I do hope that all IOS members with an interest in practical conservation will contact me with ideas, initiatives, queries, and particularly if you feel able to take an active role in promoting or publicizing conservation at the next IOS Congress.