Conspectus of the vascular plants of Madagascar: a taxonomic and conservation electronic database

Abstract

The Conspectus of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar Project is an international multi-institutional effort involving the Missouri Botanical Garden (MO), the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (P), the Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza (TAN), and the Centre National de la Recherche Appliquee an Developpement Rural (TEF), whose goal is to make widely accessible information on all vascular plant names attributed to Madagascar. In addition to names and bibliography, the database will hold a maximum number of exsiccatae to voucher the occurrence of taxa within the protected areas system, and to permit automated mapping and analyses of distribution patterns. By maintaining the database in an updatable electronic form, and by incorporating GIS and image technology, we hope the Conspectus will both facilitate new and revised treatments for the Flore de Madagascar, as well as serve the needs of conservation NGO's and the Malagasy people