o_19ko2dt161ng2j4e1tgnoqv1s45a.pdf

J. GREGSON, R. DE KOK, J. MOAT & S. BACHMAN (2007)
STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA &
THREAT ASSESSMENT OF PLANT SPECIES IN MALAYSIA
APPLICATION OF GIS TO CONSERVATION
ASSESSMENTS AT THE ROYAL BOTANIC
GARDENS, KEW
J. Gregson, R. de Kok, J. Moat & S. Bachman
ABSTRACT
As part of its conservation work in areas such as Madagascar and Cameroon, the GIS unit at
the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has developed the use of Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) in making rapid conservation assessments. These applications assist Kew staff to make
better informed species conservation status assessments, such as International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) ratings, based not only on herbarium
and field data, but also on up to date vegetation maps, physical and climatic conditions and
known threats. This article gives an overview of the work of the South-East Asia Section at
Kew, and reviews the algorithms used by the GIS unit which are relevant to the Malaysian
Plant Red Data Project.
INTRODUCTION
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has been at the forefront of plant taxonomy research for
over 150 years, and has a long history of research and collaboration in South-East Asia. As
scientists have become more aware of the worldwide threat to biodiversity, the focus of Kew’s
work has moved in recent years towards plant conservation and sustainable use of plants. A
variety of work is being undertaken in these areas: baseline biodiversity research (producing
inventories and check-lists); production of support materials, such as field-guides; seed-banking
and development of specialised horticultural techniques with a view to future re-introductions
and forest restoration; research into sustainable use of plants; and vegetation mapping and
conservation assessments using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This work is carried
out in collaboration with local institutions, with an emphasis on training and capacity-building.
Baseline biodiversity research is being undertaken with contributions to regional floras such
as Flora Malesiana (Chrysobalanaceae (Prance 1989), Nepenthaceae (Cheek & Jebb 2001))
and the Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak (Aquifoliaceae (Andrews 2002), Chrysobalanaceae
(Prance 1995), Dipterocarpaceae (Ashton 2004)). Inventories and check-lists are also being
produced, for regions including Mt Kinabalu (Beaman 1992-2004), Brunei (Coode et al. 1996),
Department of Botany, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K. Tel: +44(0)20 7942
5349; j.gregson@nhm.ac.uk
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