I have laid back and just read all messages regarding conservation
and CP-Mapping but now, I think the time has come that I give my
opinion on this.
CP Conservation (and conservation of other plants) is very important.
I think we all agree on that (or at least I think we should). That
there are 'black sheep' in all communities is evident and we will
have to live with the fact that some people do not care too much for
nature, such for example the Governor of Amazonas State in Brazil who said
publicly: 'What do I care for the forest, not the trees have elected
me, so I would prefer to turn the Amazonas into a play-yard for the
people, something like a huge Disney-Land in Amazonas.' Anyway, such
fools will always be on the earth, and it is sad that they can come
into (any) office.
But to the Mapping business. I think (as a professional botanist)
that it is the duty of science to give all available information. A
botanist is there to give information about plants, their ecology,
their habitats. There is, scientifically, no sense in describing a
population, if colleagues (and thus the public) are not informed where
that population is. It is not the publication of a location that is
responsible for the desctruction of habitats or steeling of plants,
but the misuse of the information. (You cannot stop selling scissors to
women just because my wife 'may' one day kill me with one.)
Thus the conclusion must be: Maps yes, but if so: detailed ones that
are useful.
It is not for us to judge who may misuse the map(s) or not. We are
neither psychologists, psychiatrists, criminalists, the police or
judges.
And just a little addendum: and please take this from someone who is
maybe one of the best knowers of Orchid Trade practices: If someone
wants to find a habitat, he will. Whether with a map or not. There
are some very good examples for that. And I myself have searched and
found habitats on the bases of old literature, (very incomplete)
information from hebarium sheets, and by pure perseverance.
[and this will definately also apply to the CPs and other plants]
Happy CPing
Guido
Dr. Guido J. Braem ---- Plant Taxonomist
Naunheimer Str. 17
D-35633 Lahnau
Germany
Tel. [+49](6441]65333
Fax [+49](6441)65334