BRIT'S MISSION
The institution works toward conservation of natural resources, focusing on plants, through research and education.
WHAT IS CONSERVATION?
Conservation is the protection of natural resources from loss, change, or damage. Natural resources include ecosystems, communities, species, soil, water, air, and energy, but BRIT focuses on plants, which are the most abundant and conspicuous feature of the natural world (in most terrestrial habitats). Plant conservation is inextricably tied to conservation of other natural resources (see Topics and Controversies).
Resources are protected through several broadly overlapping approaches.
Sustainability: management of natural resources without depleting the resource base for future generations. Sustainability is approached by maximizing efficiency of use (including reduction of consumption) and eliminating waste.
Preservation: perpetuation of natural resources by maintaining them in a natural state; in many senses a synonym of conservation. Preservation, as distinct from sustainability, commonly implies more of a “setting aside” – natural resources are managed more for longevity than for sustainable production. Biodiversity (number of species in a given area) is heavily dependent on maintenance of large areas of natural environment.
Restoration of habitat or resource to a natural condition may also be a component of conservation, but it is more difficult because it requires that human use be reduced from previous levels or geographic expanse.
WHY CONSERVE?
Motivation for conservation generally can be attributed to one or two broad reasons:
human-oriented: we are all interested in ways to keep our own species alive and to ensure each individual’s ability to maintain his life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Maintenance of biodiversity preserves potentially useful food and medicinal sources, it possibly contributes toward stability of ecosystems, and many of us find that the existence of at least partial elements of a diverse natural world contributes to our own sense of well-being. Humans benefit from increased understanding of the world they live in.
other-oriented: many species of organisms (probably a majority of them) are evolutionarily older than humans and it can be argued that they have at least an equal right to continued existence. Human population growth and activity will be responsible for the extinction of many species, and it can be the responsibility of only humans to stop the loss of life.
(also see "Why Texas Land Conservancy conserves natural communitites")
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BOTANICAL RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION?
In all regions, including North America, knowledge of what species exist and where they occur enables rational and effective decisions regarding what places need to be conserved and what level of protection they require. Discovery of new species and refinements in species definitions often point to habitats and ecosystems that need to be conserved. Floristic surveys provide information useful in determining trends of rarity and abundance of species. Study of invasive species provides information useful in preventing their further spread and in restoration ecology.
BRIT activities in Peru and New Guinea provide local people with information and perspectives that encourage them to use resources in sustainable ways. These areas have large tracts of undisturbed natural habitat, which potentially might be stripped of natural flora and fauna by forestry or agriculture. Land that can be sustainably managed for valuable medicinal, food, or horticultural products is more like to be conserved, and botanical research contributes toward discovery and development of such resources. See "What kinds of research are done at BRIT?"
EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION.
BRIT’s staff, and especially its Education program, work to help people become aware of the value of plants, plant diversity, and natural environments and how citizens and students may contribute toward conservation.
One significant avenue of contribution is through conservation easements. A conservation easement is a restriction placed on a piece of property to protect its associated resources. Such an easement protects land for future generations while allowing the owner to retain many private property rights and to live on and use the land, at the same time potentially providing tax benefits. A brief introduction to conservation easements is here.
