A National Response to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation for Canada

A National Response to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation for Canada

Prepared by

Dr. David A. Galbraith

GSPC National Focal Point

Head of Science, Royal Botanical Gardens

P.O. Box 399

Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3H8

Canada

tel: +1 905 527-1158 ext. 309

fax: +1 905 577-0375

email:

Revised 10 March 2011

Executive Summary

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) is an initiative under theConvention on Biological Diversity (CBD).The Strategy includes 16 outcome-oriented global targets set for 2020. It provides a framework to facilitate harmony between existing initiatives aimed at plant conservation, to identify gaps where new initiatives are required, and to promote mobilization of the necessary resources. It wasdeveloped as a grass-roots effort to promote conservation and sustainable use of plant diversity around the world.

The GSPC was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the CBD in 2002. A report on progress in plant conservation was published by the CBD in 2009. The GSPC itself was reviewed and revised in 2010. Anupdated strategy for the period 2011-2020 was adopted by CBD Parties in 2010.

The heart of the GSPC is 16 targets for the global community aimed at achieving five objectives: recognizing and documenting plant diversity, conserving plant diversity, using plant diversity sustainably, promoting education and awareness, and building plant conservation capacity.

Many agencies and organizations are contributing to achieving the targets, including through a Global Partnership for Plant Conservation, a voluntary association of NGOs and government organizations. CBD Parties can use use the GSPC as a framework for developing their own targets and initiatives, contributing to domestic and global plant conservation. However, awareness of and engagement in the GSPC and its underlying themes in Canada have not been strongly promoted to date.

This national response to the GSPC from Canada seeks to promote wider awareness and engagement, and address specific targets that strengthen existing priorities in Canada, such as sustainable use and the protection of biological diversity in situ.

Four specific initiatives are proposed for the national response:

• Development of an Important Plant Areas network in Canada

• Delivery of enhanced educational and awareness programs around the importance of plant diversity and sustainable use to Canadians

• Capacity-building within existing networking initiatives such as the Canadian Botanical Conservation Network to form a Canadian Partnership for Plant Conservation

• An assessment of capacity and needs in the plant conservation community in Canada as a guide to future program development

Introduction

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation has proven to be a fascinating and productive part of the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity. From its origins in the St. Louis Botanical Congress of 1999 through its drafting in 2000 and 2001 to its approval by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2002, the GSPC grew out of on-the-ground concerns about the present extinction crisis. Its targets have been intended from the beginning to be effective, direct expressions of changes that would really make a difference.

This national response has been prepared with the intention of engaging a wide cross-section of Canadian individuals and institutions involved in plant conservation, biodiversity studies, education and sustainable use undertakings relevant to the GSPC. The GSPC is a flexible framework, allowing each country to develop its own form of national implementation. In addition, the GSPC is unique in capturing the attention and actions of many non-governmental organizations, represented largely in the Global Partnership for Plant Conservation.

The proposed Canadian response to the GSPC seeks to engage many sectors in Canada with the basic premise that the diversity of native plant life in Canada is important and valuable to society. You are invited to contribute to this emerging direction, and to provide your thoughts on the ideas in the strategy or anything else you feel would help the GSPC “catch on” in Canada. A feedback form has been appended as the last page of this report.

In 2010 the GSPC underwent its first revision, culminating in adoption of an updated Strategy at the Nagoya meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD in October. It includes revisions to the 16 targets of the GSPC, a renewed timeline, and an assessment of progress on 2015 on the way towards the new target date of 2020.

I invite you and your organization to participate in this global effort to conserve plant biodiversity. Please contact me to share your ideas and potential contributions.

Dr. David A. Galbraith

GSPC National Focal Point

Head of Science, Royal Botanical Gardens

1. The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation in Context for Canada

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) is a cross-cutting initiative under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) with the intention of mobilizing efforts to halt the extinction of plant diversity at the global level. Unique within the major CBD initiatives, the GSPC arose as a grass-roots effort to bring more attention to bear on the issues surrounding the extinction of plants and the resulting loss of social and economic benefits. The GSPC is also noteworthyfor having introduced the concept of setting explicit targets into international biodiversity negotiations and policies. It primarily consists of 16 targets indicating progress toward five objectives: understanding and documenting plant diversity, conserving plant diversity, using plant diversity sustainably, promoting education and awareness about plant diversity, and building capacity for the conservation of plant diversity.

Adopted by the CBD in 2002, the GSPC has for the past eight years been an organizing framework for plant taxonomy, conservation biologists, restoration ecologists, educators and other relevant sectors. Progress on individual targets has been for the most part made by reference to existing programs such as CITES, but in some cases new work has arisen because of the GSPC. In particular, Target 1, an accessible preliminary list of the world’s known plant species, has been achieved because of the mobilization and cooperation of major botanical research centres in the USA and the UK, notably MissouriBotanical Garden and RoyalBotanic Gardens, Kew. In December 2010 this target was achieved with the publication of an on-line database, The Plant List (

In Canada the GSPC has received a mixed reception to date. There has been considerable interest in the program and potential of the strategy in some sectors, but there have also been concerns about how the targets, expressed at the global level, relate to programs and polices at the national level. Furthermore, to date there has been only one major program linked to the GSCP, the NGO-based “Investing in Nature: A Partnership for Plants in Canada,” which ran from 2003 through 2006 and engaged botanical gardens and arboreta with funding support from HSBC plc, an international financial services company.

In 2008-2009 the GSPC underwent an in-depth review by the Convention on Biological Diversity and a process was undertaken to revise it. An updated strategy for the period 2011-2020 incorporating revisions to the 16 global targets was adopted by CBD Parties in 2010.

2. Purpose of the National Response Document

The purpose of this document is to generate discussion about how Canada can respond to the GSPC, and how it might be possible to seek greater non-governmental and governmental engagement. In particular, it is important to explore and reinforce linkages between the GSPC and Canada’s Biodiversity Outcomes Framework and adaptive management models. This document has been prepared using an outline and terms of reference intended to achieve this goal.

The GSPC itself is an outcomes-oriented framework; rather than specifying programs or activities, the strategy is organized as a set of five objectives and sixteen associated targets (Appendix 1). The Strategy has undergone an update and consolidation following an in-depth review that started in 2008, but for practical purposes it remains substantially the same in terms of the spirit of its original objectives and targets.

Linkages to Work of National Focal Point

The overall CBD National Focal Point for Canada is within Environment Canada. In 2006, Environment Canada and the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) entered into an agreement to create a National Focal Pointfor the GSPC at the RBG, where staff have been involved in the development and sectoral implementation of the GSPC since 2001.

3. Progress Made in Canada toward Global GSPC Goals and Targets

The 16 targets of the Strategy seek to address the main factors putting plant species at risk and jeopardizing their sustainable and equitable use. Canada has already made good progress toward several of these targets, most recently reported in detail in Canada’s 4th National Report to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. This section summarizes overall progress per target. It is noted that in Canada responsibility for the various targets is spread widely across federal departments, and many aspects are in provincial jurisdictions also.

The text of the individual targets listed here is the updated text of the Strategy’s targets as adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the CBD in 2010. Following each target, the original formulation of the target from the original 2002 Strategy is noted. The complete list of revised targets is also appended at the end of this strategy.

Target 1: An online flora of all known plants.

Canada has fulfilled this target, as working lists of known plant species within Canada are available. For example, the flora of Canada is incorporated within the Flora of North America, and electronic versions of the flora have been available for many years.

In future, development of a single portal to an on-line national flora might be considered, in conjunction with existing on-line database efforts such as Canadensys and ITIS*CA.

Target 1 remains substantially the same as the original 2002 text of the Strategy which read “A widely accessible working list of known plant species, as a step towards a complete world flora”. At the global level, this target was effectively achieved in December 2010.

Target 2: An assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, as far as possible, to guide conservation action

Canada has fulfilled this target, in large part through the work of the General Status of Species in Canada program through the inventory and monitoring activities of Canada’s network of Conservation Data Centres. The on-going work at the federal level of SARA and COSEWIC, and their relevant provincial equivalents, means that Canada has successfully achieved this target.

Target 2 was revised from the original text of the Strategy “ A preliminary assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, at national, regional and international levels”.

Target 3: Information, research and associated outputs, and methods necessary to implement the Strategy developed and shared

Across Canada, at the federal, provincial and local levels, many agencies, organizations and individuals have been contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of plant diversity, and many have been involved in communicating their findings and their methodologies. Researchers involved in habitat protection, species at risk recovery and ecological restoration are all involved in academic networks and publish their findings.

The new wording of target 3 focuses on implementation of the Strategybut its intention has remained the same from the original 2002 text of the Strategy: ”Development of models with protocols for plant conservation and sustainable use, based on research and practical experience”.

Target 4: At least 15 per cent of each ecological region or vegetation type secured through effective management and/or restoration.

Canada has a well-organized response to Target 4, through its efforts to protect ecosystems and also to participate in the CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas. Approximately 9.4% of Canada’s terrestrial surface is now designated as protected area, totalling over 930,000 square kilometres. Although much progress has been made to develop Canada’s protected areas network, more effort is needed to conserve specific ecosystems and ecoregions.

The quantitative objective of Target 4 has been enlarged from the original 2002 text of the Strategy which read: “At least 10 per cent of each of the world's ecological regions effectively conserved”

Target 5: At least 75 per cent of the most important areas for plant diversity of each ecological region protected with effective management in place for conserving plants and their genetic diversity

Several areas that are important for plant diversity are protected in Canada, although there is at present no formal program to identify these areas. In other countries and regions, designated Important Plant Area criteria have allowed planning for habitat protection to specifically encompass plant diversity. The formation of an IPA program is recommended as part of Canada’s national response to the Strategy (See below).

The numerical goal of Target 5 has increased from the original 2002 text of the Strategy which read: “Protection of 50 per cent of the most important areas for plant diversity assured.”

Target 6: At least 75 per cent of production lands in each sector managed sustainably, consistent with the conservation of plant diversity

Canada has several programs which encourage the development of sustainability as a core practice in forestry and agriculture. Almost 1.5 million square kilometres of forest area is currently managed under one of three Sustainable Forest Management certificate programs. Environmental Farm Plans are now in place for approximately 34% of annual crop producers and 40% of livestock producers.

Target 6, was revised from the original 2002 text of the Strategy which read: “At least 30 per cent of production lands managed consistent with the conservation of plant diversity”.

Target 7: At least 75 per cent of known threatened plant species conserved in situ.

Within Canada our national and provincial programs for protecting and recovery of species at risk focus on Canadian populations specifically. Approximately 180 vascular plant species in Canada have been listed as at risk as of 2009. The goal for all of these is recovery in situ.

Target 7’s numerical objective has been increased from the original 2002 text of the Strategy which read: “60 per cent of the world's threatened species conserved in situ”

Target 8: At least 75 per cent of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 per cent available for recovery and restoration programmes

At present there is no information available on the number of Canadian plant species at risk that are in accessible, genetically appropriate ex situ collections. Individual programs within botanical gardens and government agencies such as Plant Genetic Resources Canada and the National Tree Seed Centre are contributing to the protection and recovery of select species at this time. An assessment of the plant collections held within Canada would be an important contribution to understanding our present capacity and contributions to obtaining the objectives of the strategy.

The aspirational goal of conservation in ex situ collections has increased from the original 2002 text of the Strategy which read: “60 per cent of threatened plant species in accessible ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and 10 per cent of them included in recovery and restoration programmes”.

Target 9: 70 per cent of the genetic diversity of crops including their wild relatives and other socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, while respecting, preserving and maintaining associated indigenous and local knowledge

Although measuring some aspects of progress toward this target is difficult, it is thought that for major crops, the original 70 per cent target has been achieved at the global level. Canada is a significant contributor to collections of many crops and other socioeconomically important species, including though Plant Gene Resources of Canada and the National Tree Seed Centre.

The 2010 revision of the GSPC did not change the percentage goal of this target. The original 2002 text of this target read: 70 per cent of the genetic diversity of crops and other major socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, and associated indigenous and local knowledge maintained.

Target 10: Effective management plans in place to prevent new biological invasions and to manage important areas for plant diversity that are invaded.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible at the federal level for dealing with the introduction and spread of invasive species in Canada, including responsibilities engendered in the International Plant Protection Convention. The work of the CFIA will continue to identify, monitor and put management plans in place for these species.

The 2010 revision to Target 10 has removed the numerical component of the original 2002 text of the Strategy: Management plans in place for at least 100 major alien species that threaten plants, plant communities and associated habitats and ecosystems

Target 11: No species of wild flora endangered by international trade

Canada is a signatory to CITES, which is primarily responsible at the global level for this Target.

The 2010 revision of the GSPC did not change this target.

Target 12: All wild harvested plant-based products sourced sustainably.

Society depends upon products derived from plants. Noting that there is a close relationship between this target and Target 6, Canada has in place programs for production lands related to both forestry and agriculture that are relevant.

The sweeping nature of the original formulation of Target 12 has been noted to be of concern, and deriving accurate measures of performance is difficult. The original formulation of Target 12 from the 2002 Strategy reads: “30 percent of plant-based products derived from sources that are sustainably managed”.

Target 13: Indigenous and local knowledge innovations and practices associated with plant resources maintained or increased, as appropriate, to support customary use, sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health care.

Across Canada the traditional environmental and ecological knowledge of Indigenous communities are increasingly being recognized and valued. Further work with these and other local communities to support their own understanding of an access to genetic resources, and to ensure implementation of ABS and CBD Article 8(j) programs is needed. In particular, awareness-building and engagement about the Strategy is needed for these communities.