WIPs-De: Wild plant conservation in Germany a project of the federal biodiversity programme [WIPs-De: Wildpflanzenschutz deutschland ein projekt des bundesprogramms zur biologischen vielfalt]

Abstract

To realise the goals of Germany's National Biodiversity Strategy, the WIPs-De project aims to contribute to the conservation of 15 endangered plant species for which Germany has a special responsibility (Verantwortungsarten). Six partners, comprising five botanical gardens and one college of education, will participate in the WIPs-De network. Three different conservation activities (seed storage, maintenance cultivation in gardens and resettlement activities), which have thus far been conducted largely separately, will be combined to attain this ambitious goal. As an ex-situ conservation activity, seeds will be collected nationwide from native habitats and stored in gene banks. Maintenance and propagation cultures will deliver the plant material for further resettlement activities, which will be conducted in close collaboration with nature conservation organisations and other associations. Each of the different partners will contribute their specific expertise in the areas of gene banks, maintenance cultures, seed quality analysis, conservation concepts and learning opportunities for school education and through broad public awareness-raising activities.