I think the point here is these plants are not growing in the 'wild'
any longer. What we need, is to protect wild locations where these
plants occur not just the 'environment' which too often refers to
the human environment and not places that are truely wild.
> > 1) genetic diversity
> > 2) new mutations / forms
These two are just about the same but the point is a good one. I
value several 'sub-forms' I've found in road side ditches and I'm
sure (because I can't be positive) that there is alot more diversity
in Sarracenia than what is believed. It maybe, that every location
offers something unique. <=== A really good reason not develope or
over collect, in my opinion.
> > 3) saving plants from sites that will be developed
>
> Well, If the plants don't enter a conservation program geared for
> reintroduction then I'm not so sure they are "saved". More
> like "not wasted" in my opinion.
I agree that 'saving' is too strong a term. it's a catch 22 situation.
> I don't suggest the plants are impossible to grow, but rather that hobby
> collections are not a safe habitat for the plants. Sure you could ask
> your friend for a cutting, but what if his died? More importantly, if
> you were to die, or become incapacitated, what would happen to your entire
> plant collection? How many growers on this list have a contingency
> plan to protect their collection if this happens? We are all mortal.
Well Micheal, I'm supposed take care of that in the case of Tom's
incapcitation/death. There is no way I could care for all of Tom's
plants permantly but I should be able to keep them alive until
I could find them permant homes. Owning a plant does not save it
but at the same time it is not doomed.
Perhaps we are looking at this wrong. If humanity can not stop
destroying nature (so far I can see no sign of this) then there
will be no wild locations left. The only places these plants
will grow is were they can get by as weeds or in collections.
We need to develope methods by where individauls can help 'keep'
species. While no one person or small group could have much
effect, a system could(?) be set up facilitate the 'keeping' of species.
Dave Evans