Ecogeographic Surveys

Herbaria, genebanks and botanical gardens, are storehouses of botanical data as much as they are of plants, pressed, frozen or live. These data can be used to facilitate and order plant conservation. Analysis of a taxon's geography, ecology and taxonomy is a necessary prerequisite for assessing its conservation status and permits the prediction of which areas and habitats the taxon is likely to be found. Once located, populations of the taxon can be monitored, sampled if necessary and effectively conserved. Ecogeographic studies will always be limited by time and resources and it will be impossible to collate every piece of information on a taxon's geography, ecology and taxonomy. However, if the study is planned carefully and undertaken efficiently the data collated is predictive and aid the conservationist to more efficiently grade potential collection and conservation priorities.