Funded via ArbNet

Project Completed: 2023

Institution: Yerevan Botanical Garden of the Institute of Botany after A. Takhtajyan NAS RA

Ex situ conservation of regionally endemic and endangered species

Armenia and Tajikistan are both important hotspots of biodiversity with over 3,600 and 4,500 vascular plant species respectively. The dendroflora of the Transcaucasian and Central Asian regions is, however, underrepresented in botanic garden collections and ex situ conservation initiatives are sporadic.

The aim of this initiative was to work on effective ex situ conservation of regionally endemic and endangered wild fruit and ornamental trees of Armenia and Tajikistan – two important hotspots of biodiversity –through the organization of field expeditions, seminars, a reciprocal collection and exchange of seed material. The aim being future cultivation and ex situ conservation of Armenian endangered species in Kulob Botanic Garden , and of Tajik endangered species in Yerevan Botanic Gardens.

Through the collaboration of these two Botanic Gardens, they were able to conserve locally endemic and endangered wild fruit and ornamental trees of both countries/regions. This enabled the reciprocal exchange of plant material, seed conservation and cultivation for the creation of ex situ collections.

The program members of Kulob Botanic Garden and Yerevan Botanic Garden visited each other’s countries, participated in field expeditions and collected seed material of the target species. Additionally, they organized round tables and presentations on ex situ conservation actions at each other’s institutions, to strengthen direct collaboration on conservation actions between two climatically, culturally and ecologically close countries.

As a result of this project, some taxa may change their conservation status in new editions of local red lists. Through the project, the gardens have strengthened their collaboration and enabled them to collect species in and out of the target list. These will be cultivated and conserved in their Botanic Gardens. The project included the meeting of locals who contribute to plant conservation both in situ and ex situ and through these engagements, hope to help them to perform their conservation actions in the future.

Kulob Botanic Garden signed a memorandum of collaboration with Yerevan Botanic Garden during one of the visits. This is an important event, as it gives a solid base to continue their efforts and to strengthen their collaboration in ex situ conservation of rare tree species of the regions.

Watch a short video about the project below: