Plant conservation strategy of the Botanical Garden of Rome

The Botanical Garden of Rome covers an area of 12 hectares on the bank of the Tiber. The plain area reflects the structure of the historic Garden of Riario-Corsini Palace enriched with tree species, including many palms. The hill area is occupied by the Ferns Collection, Bamboo Collection, Rose Garden, Rock Garden, Australian species Collection, Japanese Garden, Mediterranean Wood and the Gymnosperms Collection. Inside the Botanical Garden there are more than 300 ultra-centenarian plants, among which Quercus suber L., Cedrus deodara (Roxb.ex D.Don) G.Don, Cladrastis kentukea (Dum. Cours.) Rudd and Nannorrhops ritchieana (Griff.) Aitch. The primary function of the Botanical Garden of Rome is the storage of plant species, grown in greenhouses or outdoors, with specific techniques that maintain, over time, the plant structural and physiological traits and the reproductive capability found in the places of origin. In particular, the botanical garden cultivates rare species and those included in the IUCN Red List, in accordance with the Action Plan of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). The Botanical Garden is a centre for the reception of plant material subjected to illegal trade, confiscated by the competent authorities, which is conserved in the CITES Greenhouse. The Germplasm Bank of the garden is one of the nodes of the Italian Network Germplasm Bank for the ex situ conservation of the Italian flora (RIBES). The Bank has 1300 accessions divided into 137 families, 603 genera and 992 species, most of them included in the IUCN Red List. The botanical garden is also involved in experiments on the propagation and cultivation of threatened species in order to reintroduce them in their natural environment or to increase the numbers of individuals, ensuring their biodiversity conservation. The reintroduction of plant species into natural habitats has become an increasingly important strategy for conservation, especially when wild population numbers are small and when habitat is fragmented. Through a careful management policy, the botanical garden spreads information on plant species, their environments of origin and the importance of in situ and ex situ plant conservation. Moreover, particular attention is given to environmental education aimed to increase the student awareness regards the importance of plant biodiversity conservation. During the year, expositions for the public and guided tours for individuals, groups and schools of all level are organised.