Is the Nature Conservancy predominantly out to protect plants, animals, or
habitats? Do they purchase land in other countries?
>
>1987: Thieves stole an entire population of 8000 coneflowers (possibly
>_Echinacea purpurea_?--B) from a Missouri state park in one night
>
>
>A few stories are given of professional botanists overcollecting for herbaria
>and botanical gardens.
I'd be interested in hearing more about this, since I have observed it
myself. It has not been so bad at the Botany Dept., except one incidend
where one grad student brought in about 8 _Pediocactus papyracantha_. She
is not doing research on cacti, and these were all turned into specimens
(some should have at least been maintained for chromosome counts).
Certain members of the research staff at the Desert Botanical garden
routinely collect live plants for the garden. The sad fact is that
they collected the plants without any intent to do research on them.
In fact, no one at the garden does research on plants AT the garden.
Their research is all field work or on-site study. They justify thier
frequent field trips by bringing back plants... "look, we collected 23
cacti for the Garden, isn't it great that we're going out in the field
and building up our great collection!" Now, most of the plants brought
in were not rare stuff. However, much of the material brought in was
not needed at the garden. Most of these plants were already well-
represented in the collection. The new plants just represent "another
locality".
Rare plants were also brought in, once the proper permits were
obtained. These were housed in a special greenhouse. However, all
plants, common and rare alike, were maintained by an overworked and
underpaid horticulture staff, most of whom did not have even an undergrad
education in botany or horticulture.
>
>Finally there is a description of Ron Gagliardo's operation! Complete
>with photo of Ron holding a flat of VFTs, behind him is a hoophouse
>interior filled with orchids, CPs, etc.
What is thier opinion of him? this is not a "Most Wanted" mug shot I
hope!
>
-Michael
>B