Would people be interested in an endangered plant sharing project?

[greenbliss]

I'm not talking about 'rare' species that are considered 'fancy' but rather actually endangered plants. What if people would start growing more of these and sharing them around as a method of conservation...?

Aldrovanda vesiculosa - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Just one example. But an interesting species.

'The plant captures small aquatic invertebrates using traps similar to those of the Venus flytrap' this sounds fascinating doesn't it? Surely could get people interested in keeping this?

 

[Ehcosbie]

I would be up for this. Could become a fun experiment.

 

[greenbliss]

Many scientists call useful projects ‘fun hobbies’ because they don’t make money or get funding. So the question is. Should hobbyists play a big part in preserving nature?

 

[MichaelJ]

Should hobbyists play a big part in preserving nature?

Aquarium keepers will barely be a factor in that equation - we are simply too scarce. We can certainly raise awareness and promote preservation for sure, and we should. 😇

No idea what the Law is in the UK, but its worth keeping in mind that in some countries, such as the US, its against the law to traffic or keep endangered species (See IUCN for a definition) including plants without a permit.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[Tyko_N]

Aquarium keepers will barely be a factor in that equation

I'm not so sure about that, there are plenty of threatened species swimming around in our tanks. White clouds and red-tailed black sharks are pretty much extinct in the wild, then there are plenty of endangered blue-eyes, goodeids, rainbowfish (including boesmani), and of course numerous cichlids, bettas, l-numbers etc. So the aquarium hobby could definitely provide some kind of "Ark" for species that are rapidly disappearing in the wild, although as long as the threats remain there isn't much hope of reintroduction programs succeeding, and we will probably have to keep captive-breeding these species for a very long time if we want them to persist.

 

[PARAGUAY]

Think however niche a hobby we are perceived as l think the aquarists have a lot to offer as long as it's done properly. I think it was MD Fish Tanks who visited a chap who had a vast amount of natural aquariums with many fish breeding that are really scarce and at risk in the wild,that's got to be a positive.My son at present working on a project where green land is being developed, a road diversion and industrial park. Several ponds will have to go but the developer has to make several more ponds to replace these on green space and newts etc transfered

 

[tam]

It's interesting topic. I think you have to be careful not to think of yourself as doing good by default and delve a bit deeper. There have been cases where fish keepers have helped in species preservation - there are some species that now have much bigger hobby populations than wild and some that only still exist in the care of aquarium keepers. Although before feeling to good you also have to be careful that the trade isn't responsible for the threat to the wild populations in the first place.

CARES is interesting one though fish specific not plants (as far as I know): CARES Fish Preservation Program – The CARES Preservation Program is about fish and it is about people there are a few species specific groups too: Objectives and Organisation of the GWG | goodeidworkinggroup.com

I agree though, you'd need to work out the legalities of obtaining and sharing species.... remember the run on buce when that was first introduced and not readily available commercially grown. The demand had a knock on effect of lots being pulled from the wild in non sustainable ways.

 

[ElleDee]

It's interesting topic. I think you have to be careful not to think of yourself as doing good by default and delve a bit deeper.

This. Plant conservation is complicated. It's not just more plants grown = better. There are issues of genetic diversity and fitness to consider, as a ton of genetically similar or identical plants are not necessarily valuable from a conservation standpoint. We can make a bigger impact by buying cultivated rather than wild harvested plants and keeping our aquarium plants (and livestock) out of our local waterways.

Endangered plants can be grown responsibility and that can be a fun project, but let's not get too lofty about it.

 

[Onoma1]

Given the rapidly changing nature of the ecosystems which we draw our plants (and fish), I think this would be a particularly useful approach. Particularly, if we could link to either an academic institution or zoological society engaged in conservation.

 

[Null Zero]

I think the hobby has done a lot more harm than good for various endemic species from sensitive habitats.

There are species that have practically disappeared from the wild due to the demand from the ornamental fish trade die to highly lucrative business for 'collectors' from the wild.

 

[MichaelJ]

I think the hobby has done a lot more harm than good for various endemic species from sensitive habitats.

There are species that have practically disappeared from the wild due to the demand from the ornamental fish trade die to highly lucrative business for 'collectors' from the wild.

Unfortunately I think you are right.

I am really torn on this topic.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[PARAGUAY]

Aquarists, whether fish keepers, planted tank hobbyists,or just house plant, or gardeners are worldwide, so it's a great opportunity for us to help. I agree how this is is done is the dilemma. As example you dont want a captive breeding or growing programme for someone who may not be knowledgeable enough about a certain plant or fish The way forward maybe in the way @Onoma1 l think suggests. One thing l worry about is Politicans . Destruction of natural habitats is the one unknown quantity. And what do we know? Example Kelloggs continue to cause damage to Asian rainforests, the new UK goverment has delayed the banning of taking Peat from the wild for horticultural use. Peat is still used in many products at your local garden centre

 

[Onoma1]

The more I read about the devastating impact of mining and 'agriculture' on the natural environment in South America,the more I realise that the preservation of flaura and fauna from this area by the 'hobby' is essential.

After 30+ years in academia the concept of 'never volunteer' and 'always qualify a statement' is within my DNA 🙂 , however,on this issue I think I should take action and I am (as my adult children would note) "up for" working on this.

Could we progress this through the UKAIS? MODS please comment.

if we can ...anyone "up for this" me know and we can organise a zoom call...

 

[louis_last]

Just one example. But an interesting species.

'The plant captures small aquatic invertebrates using traps similar to those of the Venus flytrap' this sounds fascinating doesn't it? Surely could get people interested in keeping this?

You should have included a trigger warning for people that have dealt with utricularia gibba in their tanks. This is triggering my PTSD.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

trigger warning for people that have dealt with utricularia gibba in their tanks

It is a little cutey.

cheers Darrel

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

the more I realise that the preservation of flaura and fauna from this area by the 'hobby' is essential. ......... however, on this issue I think I should take action and I am (as my adult children would note) "up for" working on this.

To do this properly we'd probably need to join / collaborate with an institution or programme that is already running, something like <"CARES Fish Preservation Program – The CARES Preservation Program is about fish and it is about people">, but for plants.

cheers Darrel