ABSTRACT
The inherent limits to in situ conservation due to anthropogenic factors such as rapid urbanization and human-induced climate change and the constraints of ex situ conservation for many plants due to the resource constraints of botanical institutions require novel approaches to preserve the world’s flora. Removing barriers to access and inviting commercial entities and specialist groups to assist in the propagation and dissemination of ethically and legally collected plant material along with its provenance information is one way we can increase the genetic diversity being stored in ex situ sites. Propagation and commercialization of threatened and rare plants by ethical entities in cooperation with botanical and conservation organizations provides access to enthusiasts and collectors which reduces or eliminates collecting pressures on wild populations.
