Editorial: Insights in plant conservation

Plants as primary producers underpin almost all life on Earth and provide numerous services to humans including food, climate regula�on, soil erosion control, soil forma�on, as well as numerous cultural, spiritual and aesthe�c benefits. Of an es�mated 417,000 plant species, over 62,000 have been assessed by the IUCN Red List and of these 42% are threatened with ex�nc�on (i.e., fall into the categories ex�nct, ex�nct in the wild, cri�cally endangered and vulnerable) [1]. Like all biodiversity, plants are primarily threatened by habitat loss, degrada�on and fragmenta�on, as well as over-harves�ng and climate change [2]. Synergies between ex�nc�on threats and trophic cascades (e,g., plant-pollinator disrup�ons) amplify and exacerbate these individual threats. Perhaps it is not surprising, given the current biodiversity crisis, that research on plant conserva�on has increased by orders of magnitude over the past few decades (Figure 1). The Kunming Montreal Agreement aims to protect 30% of terrestrial land surface and restore 30% of degraded land by 2030 [3] . Yet, these ambi�ous frameworks and burgeoning research on plant conserva�on, have not been matched with alloca�on of resources. Plant conserva�on remains underfunded when compared to animals [4; 5].How then is plant conserva�on to keep pace in a world of rapidly growing threats and over-stretched resources? The papers in this special topic illustrate several ways forward.First, is to make sure that conserva�on and restora�on efforts are as resource efficient as possible. This involves targe�ng species of concern, then ensuring that restora�on techniques are as effec�ve as possible. Bialic Murphy et al. (this topic) explore how effec�ve different life stages are in the success of restora�on projects. While mature individuals had a higher survival rate, stochas�c modelling also indicated the need to consider seedling survival when assessing the long-term success of restora�on efforts. Their results highlighted the need for restora�on management to adapt throughout the course of a restora�on project [6].Second, plant conserva�on needs to be resource efficient. Molano-Flores et al. (this topic) show how herbarium specimens can provide a low-cost op�on for gathering data and conserving rare plants. The informa�on provided on herbarium labels can provide informa�on on precise locality, date of observa�on, habitat, associated species, and substrate. Digi�sed herbarium data, lodged in databases such as GBIF, can be used to develop habitat suitability models, which in turn can be used to predict range shi�s under climate change. The paper shows how data from herbaria can further knowledge of past, present, and future trends for rare plants, as well as providing addi�onal knowledge on species' biology and ecology. This valuable addi�on to the conserva�onists' toolkit can improve decision making and protec�on of listed species [5].In another approach to resource efficiency, Finch et al. (this topic) explore the success and challenges of ci�zen science (community science) in plant conserva�on. This approach uses data and exper�se of volunteers to increase data gathering and monitoring power. Emerging several decades ago, the approach was driven by technological advances, public interest and limited funding, while volunteers gain hands-on research experience, scien�fic knowledge, as well as community and �me spent in nature. Digital surveys of project managers and volunteers show that staffing, funding, program size, data management, and volunteer training are all important predictor variables of success of ci�zen science projects. They also state the need for ways for ci�zen science to become more inclusive and diverse. Their study can help to improve exis�ng projects and inform the establishment of new ones [7].Third, plant conserva�on must be done with environmental and ecological context in mind. Vi� et al. (this topic) discuss how climate change is affec�ng seed sourcing strategies in restora�on ecology. While the "local is best" paradigm assumes locally sourced genotypes are best adapted to their environment, the rapid changes that are taking place today may outpace such local adapta�ons. Their study shows how common garden and reciprocal transplant experiments, alongside long-term studies, can help iden�fy seeds that are best adapted to local and future condi�ons. However, their review also highlights the bias in available informa�on towards commercial tree species rather than species of importance to restora�on. They call for more studies on herbaceous and perennial species, which are important in the early stage of restora�on and also highlight the needs for greater use of species distribu�on modelling, iden�fying dynamic seed transfer zones and regional seed networks, as well as establishing a Restora�on Project Clearinghouse where lessons can be shared.With regard to ecological context, Sandacz et al. (this topic) studied the effects of a decline in a keystone plant on a plant-pollinator network and ecosystem resilience. Cirsium pitcheri is a keystone plant in Lake Michigan dune communi�es, but is in decline because of habitat loss. Sandacz et al. tracked the effects of this decline in plant-pollinator networks and showed that sensi�vity to disturbance increased as the C. pitcheri declined, and that species turnover could have detrimental effects on the long-term persistence of the dune community. The work has implica�ons for best conserva�on and restora�on prac�ces in areas vulnerable to disturbance and habitat loss [8].This collec�on of papers has illustrated poten�al ways forward in these three important areas, showing how plant conserva�on can become more effec�ve, resource efficient, and adaptable.

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