Functional traits are increasingly used to understand the ecology of plants and to predict their responses to global changes. Unfortunately, trait data are unavailable for the majority of plant species. The lack of trait data is especially prevalent...

Originating in Europe in the 16th century, botanic gardens are found in nearly every country in the world. Botanic gardens have had various roles during this time, including as physic gardens, as adaptation centers for commercial crops, as pleasure...

Ornamental horticulture is the primary pathway for invasive alien plant introductions. This paper critically appraises published evidence on the effectiveness of four policy instruments that tackle invasions along the horticulture supply chain: pre-...

A standardized monitoring protocol is presented in this document to allow agency staff, land managers, farmers, and others to evaluate the performance of individual pollinator habitat plantings. 

This Guide is a tool for those seeking to design a cost-effective and fit-for-purpose data and information system for the Sustainable Development Goals. It is aimed at key decisionmakers seeking to harness the full power of data to achieve the SDGs

The Plants for Planting Manual provides the background, procedures, and reference tables for regulating imported material of plants and vegetative parts that are for or capable of propagation, including buds, bulbs, corms, cuttings, layers, pollen,...

Botanic gardens are living museums, offering opportunities for conservation and research as well as education, experience, and enjoyment through their plant collections. A garden’s plant records system is as vital as the plants themselves, and serves...

In 2012, more than two million acres of important sage-brush habitat burned in four Western States. In the East, Hurricane Sandy caused not only widespread damage to homes and businesses, but also to native plant communities that stabilize soils and...

The 6th Global Botanic Gardens Congress, in connection with the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Botanical Garden of Geneva, was held in Geneva from the 25th to 30th June, 2017, at the International Conference Center of...

For the November/December 2017 issue of Museum magazine, Elizabeth Merritt, director of the Alliance’s Center for the Future of Museums, invited contributors to explore one specific future that might result from existing limits and challenges playing...

Data is not just required for monitoring. Achieving the ambitious SDGs also requires an evidence-based approach to governance. National and local leaders need to utilize data to help inform their planning, ...

There is an urgent need for a new paradigm that integrates the continued development of human societies and the maintenance of the Earth system (ES) in a resilient and accommodating state. The planetary boundary (PB) framework contributes to such a ...

This document provides a voluntary code of conduct regarding the management of invasive plant species. Learn how to conduct an institution-wide review examining all departments and activities that provide opportunities to stem the proliferation of...

As stewards of living collections, public garden staff safeguard plants in the best interest of their organizations and audiences. There are many different threats to the safety and security of these gardens and their collections, with natural...

In case of disaster, the more prepared you are for response, the better your collection will fare. In a perfect world, you would save all the plants in the collection. But this is not always possible. Assigning priority levels to your accessions and ...

Growing degree days have been used widely for both agriculture and horticulture purposes since the 1950s to track temperature accumulation. Without the stress of drought or other unusual weather conditions, plants typically grow in a stepwise fashion...

As spring arrives, it brings with it warmer weather, blossoming trees and flowers, singing birds, and severe weather such as hail, high winds, and tornadoes. Each year, many people across the United States are killed or seriously injured by the severe...

Soil moisture is a key factor in determining the annual progress of natural environments and human systems. In horticultural and agricultural settings, soil moisture information can aid in making decisions regarding plant variety choice and planting...

As was felt recently at the South Carolina Botanical Garden, extreme precipitation and flooding can be exceptionally devastating. Excess rains can wash away trails, compromise bridges, and harm many varieties of plants in public gardens. Sometimes no...

An innovative climate change cell phone tour and pilot project at Longwood Gardens marks the first deliverable in a series of objectives between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and American Public Gardens Association that...