INTEGRATED IN SITU/EX SITU PLANT CONSERVATION PRACTICES MANAGED BY UNIVERSITY BOTANIC GARDEN OF MODENA

Abstract

The University of Modena’s Botanic Garden recently started a series of in situ/ex situ integrated conservation projects in cooperation with Parks and other land management institutions. Although these projects only involved a limited number of endangered and/or vulnerable species/populations, some interesting and noteworthy results were achieved. Activities conducted in the past aimed to increase populations of rare or endangered species rather than true reintroduction of locally extinct taxa. They were developed inside the Garden through in vitro and in vivo growing practices and museum-type educational activities and outside the Garden through partnerships with Parks, nature reserves and other administrative bodies or institutions. This paper illustrates some of the noteworthy cases undertaken by Modena Botanic Garden staff.