Conservation of Wild Crafted Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Their Habitats

Abstract

The use of Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in the form of traditional medicine, is still the preferred method of medical treatment in develop-ing countries, owing to the unavailability and/or high prices of modern medicines. In the developed economies, as a contract, the market sectors for plant products seem to show new potentials, like in the case of different processing industries. The market for herbal medicines and supplements is expected to reach 107 billion USD by 2017. Most of the MAPs supply required for meeting the global demand, however, still originates from natural sources. Overharvesting, in addition to the destruction of natural habitats, lead to serious losses in biodiversity. Many countries have introduced measures to protect species under the guidance of the CBD and GSPC targets. Nevertheless, the numbers of rare or threatened wild species have been on an increase, especially in recent years. Numerous in situ and ex situ conservation strategies to preserve rare or threatened MAP species have been proposed. Some complementary conservation measures include restrictions on wildcrafting, protection in botanical, ethnobotanical gardens or other areas (national parks, nature reserves). Involvement of local communities in development programs of conservation, for example on-farm cultivation instead of wildcrafting, is essential for preservation of valuable genetic resources for the future.