THE CONSERVATION OF EPIPHYTES AND THEIR HABITATS: SUMMARY OF A DISCUSSION AT THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF EPIPHYTES

Abstract

A one-day round-table discussion using the small-group nominal process was held in conjunction with the Symposium on the Biology and Conservation ofEpiphytes in May 1991 at The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Botanists, horticulturists, and conservationists participated in the effort to formulate concrete and creative suggestions to answer the question: how can epiphytes and their habitats be conserved in the future? Small groups "brain-stormed" and then prioritized their  suggestions into viable solutions to six aspects ofthis question, and then presented them for discussion to the entire group. Four major trends were noted in the proposed solutions: 1) directly and indirectly involve institutions, scientists, and lay people in tropical countries; 2) develop active communication between researchers and lay people; 3) increase participation and commitment from the governments ofcountries where epiphytes occur and where research and education is being carried out, especially in regard to regulations for collecting and transporting plants across international borders, and 4) increase funding from private and government sources for research, education, and direct protection ofepiphytic plants and theirhabitats. Itwas concluded that the growing body ofbotanical, ecological, and horticultural knowledge about these plants will aid in their conservation.