Gap analysis of Indonesian priority medicinal plant species as part of their conservation planning

Abstract

Indonesia is a country rich in medicinal plant biodiversity. The conservation and sustainable use of such species in Indonesia are critical because of incipient population growth, changing land usage, forest clearance, and climate change in a country where most of the population depends on traditional medicines for their health care and wellbeing. Identifying the conservation gap is crucial for planning the genetic conservation of Indonesian priority medicinal plant species. These are native plants with limited distribution, wild harvested (often to destruction) and/or included on the IUCN Red List, CITES appendices, and national legislation. Ecogeographic data were collated from online database, herbarium specimens and living collections and then subjected to in situ and ex situ gap analysis. The results of this gap analysis support our recommendation that in situ active conservation reserves for priority plants be established in areas of Indonesia with the greatest diversity of species. Medicinal plant species with no occurrence points in Indonesia or less than five seed samples are needed to be surveyed further. Other recommendations for active in situ and ex situ conservation are provided in this article which will help to ensure conservation of medicinal plants in Indonesia.