Plant Conservation and
Livelihoods Programme
Plants - whether wild or domesticated - are fundamental components of ecosystems on Earth. They form their productive bases and (on land) their physical structures, supporting a diversity of animals and other organisms.
Experimental harvesting of medicinal roots
©Alan Hamilton
Human economies are highly dependent on plants for supplies of material resources, such as food, construction materials, fuel, craft materials and medicines. The nature of the plant cover significantly influences the quality of the climate, the availability of water supplies and the stability of the soil.
Clearly, how plants are managed has major implications for development. Many people especially in developing countries are dependent on products from wild plants, both for subsistence and income.
How people use and manage wild plant resources will significantly influence the sustainability of their livelihoods and whether plant diversity is conserved. Plantlife's Plant Conservation and Livelihoods Programme is concerned with building capacity to ensure that wild plant resources are used in sustainable and equitable ways - within the context of the conservation of plant diversity for future benefits.
Special attention is given to cases where there are strong cultural or economic links between people and wild plants, and especially to achieving conservation and sustainable use at the sites of Important Plant Areas - another focus of Plantlife's international work.
The Plant Conservation and Livelihoods Programme was launched in January 2005 and is initially concentrating on a Medicinal Plants Conservation Initiative.
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