Resolving whether botanic gardens are on the road to conservation or a pathway for plant invasions.

摘要: A global conservation goal is to understand the pathways through which invasive species are introduced into new regions. Botanic gardens a pathway for introduction of non-native plants, but quantitative assessment risks they pose has not been performed. I analyzed data on living collections over 3000 botanic worldwide quantify temporal trend in representation species; relative composition threatened, ornamental, or plant and frequency with implement procedures address species. While almost all world's worst plants occurred one more (99%), less than one-quarter red-listed threatened were cultivated (23%). Even when cultivated, individual few (7.3), while average grown 6 times as many (44.3). As result, garden could, average, cultivate four (20) (5). Although risk posed by single collection small, probability invasion increases number within region. Thus, both size proportion have declined during 20th century, this reduction offset 10-fold increase established worldwide. Unfortunately, rarely regional codes conduct prevent invasions, an policy, there limited monitoring escapes. This lack preparedness particular concern given rapid since 1950, particularly South America Asia, highlights past patterns will be poor guide determining future risks.