From the Directory we can see that there is already an impressive total of botanic gardens around the world that are aware of their actual and potential roles with regard to medicinal plant conservation. However, to date, little work has been undertaken to promote this role through international coordination and effective networking. The links between botanic gardens and other organizations active in medicinal plants research and development are still inadequate. In many cases, conservation efforts have lacked co-ordination and limited resources have been dissipated, by inadequate networking. But there is, also, an untapped potential for the development of further co-ordination and greater liaison between botanic gardens, other institutions and the community, for medicinal plant conservation.
Botanic gardens work in a vast and diverse arena.
They can provide secure, back-up conservation facilities for other forms of plant conservation carried our in the wild. Botanic gardens can work with local people, to address local conservation priorities and can document the utilisation, trade and wild harvesting of their native species. By responding to the duties and responsibilities of their government to the CBD, and to other legislation that has significance to the conservation of national genetic biodiversity, botanic gardens can promote and catalyse political responses to the needs of medicinal plants conservation. By supporting existing institutions and legislative bodies in the enforcement of protective legislation, they can join and promote national and international networks and develop and promulgate environmental education both locally and nationally. It is clear that only as part of a wider community, can botanic gardens effectively take a leading role in the conservation of medicinal plants.