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Worldwide > Climate change 'early warning system' proposed by BGCI
Climate change 'early warning system' proposed by BGCI
The Problem: “Plants form the basis of every major terrestrial ecosystem on our planet, but despite their key importance to all life, we currently have an extremely limited understanding of how they will be affected by climate change” said Belinda Hawkins of BGCI, the author of a ground-breaking report on the subject. “What we do know is that this new climatic era will have its ‘winner’ and ‘loser’ species, and unfortunately many of humankind’s most valued crops, medicinal and ornamental plants are likely to fall into the latter category.” Although there is consensus amongst botanists that radical actions will need to be taken to help plants, and particularly crop species, to adapt to an increasingly uncertain climate, the scientific community is only beginning to understand how this should be done. What makes this situation particularly concerning is that the time taken to adapt agricultural and plant conservation practices is often slower than the rate of climate change. “On average the development of a new blackcurrant variety, which is better adapted to warmer climate, takes about 16 years.” says Hawkins. “The problem is that this time-delay may often be too late given the current pace of climate change.” BGCI's Solution: The solution proposed by BGCI is a groundbreaking international scientific effort to record and collate data on how plants around the world are currently affected by climate change, in order to predict the likely future effects of such changes on global plant populations. Such a project would not only accurately identify which species and geographic areas are most likely to be affected, but also be invaluable in planning how best to adapt current agricultural and horticultural practices to conserve these species and adapt to changing local climates. Using data gathered by this project, the early warning system could be used by agronomists to plan which species are most likely to be suited in areas most affected by climate change, decisions on whose accuracy could depend millions of lives. By identifying which wild plant populations are most likely to be affected by climate change, scientists can far more effectively target conservation efforts, projects that may result in the saving of the next most important medicinal drug, or a species that holds the key to breeding improved food crops. For more information on how to partner with BGCI on this initiative please contact Lauren Evans, on +44 (0) 2083325937 or lauren.evans@bgci.org Downloads Press Release - PDF (406 KB) Full Report - PDF (4 MB) 
Report Summary: Climate Change and Plants; Which Future?A concise summary of the entire report. 
BGCI Climate Change InitiativesTake part in our proposed solutions to the global crisis. 
How Does Climate Change Affect Plants?Find out how climate change is already effecting plants - the keystone of nearly every biological chain. 
Examples of Plants Affected by Climate ChangeFrom crucial staple foods like rice, to the humble English bluebell, here are just a few examples of plant species upon which climate change is already taking it's toll. |
Challenges in Botanical Research and Climate Change
 The 2nd World Botanic Gardens Scientific Congresswill be held in Delft, the Netherlands, on 29 June - 4 July 2008. The main themes are Conservation and Climate Change, Bionics, New Systematics and Future Issues. Registration for those wishing to contribute a paper is 15 December |
