In an era marked by unprecedented environmental challenges and accelerating biodiversity loss, the role of botanical gardens and living plant collections worldwide is undergoing a transformative shift. These collections, which currently encompass over 105,000 species representing nearly 30% of known terrestrial plant diversity, have traditionally served as bastions of scientific research, conservation, education, and public amenity. However, a new perspective emerging from recent research underscores the pressing need to rethink how these living collections are documented, managed, and leveraged in the twenty-first century to meet evolving global challenges.
At the heart of this paradigm shift lies the recognition that the existing frameworks for managing living collections, while foundational, are insufficient for addressing the complex demands posed by contemporary environmental crises. Traditionally, plant collections have been cataloged and maintained at the institutional level, with varying degrees of detail and technological sophistication. The fragmentation of data standards and siloed information systems has impeded a truly holistic understanding and utilization of the global botanical repository. In essence, the scientific and conservation communities are calling for a leap from isolated records towards a seamlessly integrated, high-performance data ecosystem that encapsulates the intricate biological, ecological, and cultural dimensions of plant collections.
Central to achieving this vision is the deployment of coordinated information management strategies and cutting-edge data infrastructures that transcend local, regional, and national boundaries. These advancements are not mere upgrades but represent a foundational transformation of how plant data is acquired, curated, shared, and applied. By adopting standardized protocols and interoperable platforms, botanical gardens and associated institutions can ensure that their living collections contribute meaningfully to global biodiversity conservation initiatives, climate resilience research, and sustainable development goals.
The urgency of these changes is amplified by emerging challenges such as climate change, habitat destruction, and the need for rapid response to species decline. Living collections provide critical repositories of genetic diversity, offering insights and materials essential for restoration efforts, breeding programs, and adaptation strategies. Yet, without robust, linked data systems, the potential of these collections remains underexploited. For instance, integrating provenance information—detailing the geographic origin and environmental context of specimens—into digital records can enhance predictive modeling for species survival under shifting climate regimes, but this integration is often lacking in current management practices.
Moreover, digitization of living collections must transcend simple inventory catalogs to incorporate dynamic data streams such as phenological observations, health monitoring, and genetic characterizations. Emerging technologies, including remote sensing, machine learning, and blockchain-based record-keeping, hold promise for enhancing the accuracy and traceability of plant data. However, their effective deployment depends on developing shared standards and collaborative networks that foster real-time data exchange and iterative refinement of collection records.
Despite progress in individual institutions, a key barrier identified is the absence of a truly global, interconnected data ecosystem encompassing all living plant collections. Current repositories often operate in isolation, with limited interoperability, resulting in duplication, data gaps, and inconsistencies. The establishment of unified databases or federated systems, supported by international governance frameworks, is crucial to overcoming these limitations. Such systems would facilitate comprehensive tracking of species distributions, genetic variation, and collection provenance, enabling integrated assessments at scales relevant to policy and scientific inquiry.
Another dimension highlighted in the ongoing discourse pertains to the ethical and legal frameworks governing data sharing and access. Living collections, especially those representing indigenous and endemic species, intersect with complex considerations of biopiracy, intellectual property, and sovereign rights. Developing transparent and equitable data governance models is imperative to building trust among stakeholders and ensuring that data integration efforts align with principles of fairness and benefit-sharing.
Educational and public engagement roles of botanical gardens also stand to benefit from enhanced data ecosystems. Interactive digital platforms powered by integrated living collection data can provide immersive experiences, foster community science initiatives, and raise awareness about plant diversity and conservation challenges. This broadens the impact of these institutions beyond their physical boundaries, catalyzing societal support for biodiversity preservation.
In practical terms, the roadmap to high-performance living collections involves iterative assessment and refinement of existing data infrastructures. Institutional pioneers exemplify best practices by adopting open data standards, enhancing metadata quality, and fostering collaborations with global biodiversity informatics initiatives. Scaling these efforts requires sustained investment, capacity building, and policy support at multiple governance levels.
Furthermore, scientific research facilitated by improved data ecosystems can unlock new insights into plant evolutionary biology, ecological interactions, and responses to anthropogenic pressures. Integrative analyses leveraging comprehensive living collection data can inform restoration ecology, sustainable agriculture, and pharmacognosy, underscoring the multifaceted value of these collections.
In summary, the twenty-first century presents both profound challenges and unprecedented opportunities for botanical gardens and their living plant collections. Meeting these demands necessitates a concerted move towards globally integrated, technologically sophisticated data ecosystems that enhance the stewardship and utility of plant biodiversity. This transformation holds promise not only for advancing science and conservation but also for inspiring broader societal engagement with the natural world, bolstering efforts to secure the future of global plant diversity.
The call to action is clear: stakeholders within the botanical community, data scientists, policy makers, and funders must unite to forge robust, interoperable, and ethically governed data infrastructures. Only then can living plant collections fulfill their potential as dynamic, high-performance repositories central to addressing the biodiversity and environmental crises that define our age. This vision aligns with emerging global agreements and frameworks aiming to safeguard biodiversity, positioning botanical gardens as pivotal nodes in an interconnected, data-driven global conservation network.
With increasing digitization and globalization, the next decade promises accelerated integration and innovation in managing living plant collections. The success of such initiatives will hinge on balancing technological advancement with sensitivity to cultural and ecological complexities. Ultimately, the evolution toward a globally integrated data ecosystem represents not just a technical challenge but a fundamental reimagining of humanity’s relationship with plant diversity, fostering resilience and sustainability in a rapidly changing world.
Subject of Research: Data management and integration strategies for living plant collections in botanical gardens to meet twenty-first-century scientific and conservation challenges.
Article Title: High-performance living plant collections require a globally integrated data ecosystem to meet twenty-first-century challenges.
Article References:
Brockington, S.F., Malcolm, P., Aiello, A.S. et al. High-performance living plant collections require a globally integrated data ecosystem to meet twenty-first-century challenges. Nat. Plants (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-025-02192-6
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