Over‐collecting: an overlooked factor in the decline of plant taxa

Summary Norton, D. A., Lord, J. M., Given, D. R. & De Lange, P. J.: Over‐collecting: an overlooked factor in the decline of plant taxa. – Taxon 43: 181‐185. 1994. – ISSN 0040‐0262. Botanists, both professional and amateur, can have a substantial impact on uncommon plant taxa through over‐collecting, and in some cases this may result in extinction of uncommon taxa. This paper reviews examples of over‐collecting, mainly from the New Zealand flora, and suggests five guidelines to reduce its impact: (1) to use photographs where possible, especially as a preliminary record, (2) not to collect whole plants unless there are more than 20 plants, or more than 5 % of any one plant, (3) not to collect flowers or fruits if only a few present, (4) not to collect duplicates, and (5) to use seeds or cuttings for cultivation. Awareness of the effects of over‐collection and adoption of these collecting guidelines should contribute significantly to the conservation of uncommon plants.