News published: 18 October 2023

BGCI has published a new technical review on the purposes and trends in the exchange of plant material between botanic gardens and arboreta. Such exchange is common practice for multiple purposes, including the growth and maintenance of botanic collections, and for the multiplication and protection of plant populations, both in-situ and ex-situ, in pursuit of species conservation. However, the exchange of material is not undertaken uniformly across the globe, nor is it without challenges even where common.

This technical review explores global trends in frequency of exchange and demand for plant material, both over time and geographically. It also unpicks the breadth of purposes for which it is undertaken, reflecting on the value of the practice and areas in which it is underutilised. Further, it identifies existing constraints to material exchange and opportunities for the improvement and expansion of this important tool.

Principle studies analysing thousands of plant material exchanges and requests served as a basis for the review, supported by case studies gathered from institutions across five continents to exemplify the breadth of applications and challenges in transferring plant material between collections.

Among its findings, the publication highlights the utility of exchange for research and conservation efforts, stark biases in exchange towards the Global North, difficulties in navigating policy and bureaucratic procedures, and the potencial for consistency in procedures to improve utilisation.