These best practices represent a compilation of previous CPC guidelines with updated

The first two decades of the twenty-first century have seen a rapid rise in the mobilization of digital biodiversity data.

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.

Access and benefit-sharing (ABS) refers to the way in which genetic resources
may be accessed, and how the benefits that result from their use are shared
between the people or countries using the resources (users) and the people or

Plant breeders require genetic diversity to develop cultivars that are productive, nutritious,

Cycads are the most endangered of plant groups based on IUCN Red List assessments; all are in Appendix I or II of CITES, about 40% are within biodiversity ‘hotspots,’ and the call for action to improve their protection is longstanding.

The Standards of Excellence in Plant Collections Management developed by the Plant Co

 A companion Self-Assessment Tool is now available to help you evaluate your organization’s current level of collections management.

Genomic research depends upon access to DNA or tissue collected and preserved according to high-quality standards.

As multidisciplinary institutions at the interface between people and plants, botanic gardens are prime centres for botanical research and plant conservation.