Outstanding Work in Plant Sciences Recognised

SYDNEY, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker has applauded the awarding of the inaugural Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust Lachlan Macquarie Medal to Professor Hong De-Yuan from Beijing in recognition of his outstanding achievement in helping protect plant biodiversity.

The medal was presented by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales at Government House last night (Tuesday, 8th May, 2012).

Ms Parker said Professor Hong was one of the first botanists to carry out studies on conservation biology of endangered and threatened plant species in China and a leader in the systematics of Asian plants.

"Although China is one of the countries with the richest biodiversity in the world, its increased prosperity and growth has resulted in around 4,000-5,000 of its plant species becoming listed as endangered or threatened," Ms Parker said.

"To put this in context, China has 31,000 native plant species - about 11 per cent of the world figure.  Australia has 25,000 plant species native to the country - about eight per cent of the world's total.  

"Out of the 196 countries in the world, Australia and China are counted among only 12 considered to be megabiodiverse - between them; they hold 20 per cent of the world's native plant species," she said.

The Lachlan Macquarie Medal honours Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who defined the land on the edge of Farm Cove as Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden on 13 June, 1816; it was the nation's first botanic garden and is the site of the country's first scientific institution.

Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust Executive Director Professor David Mabberley said the Medal will be awarded biennially and anyone can propose names of outstanding individuals who meet the Medal criteria.  

"This internationally important Medal will increase the understanding of the vital role botanic gardens and plant scientists have in conserving native plant species, not just in Australia but globally," Professor Mabberley said.

The Medal is a newly created prestigious award for individuals who have demonstrated excellence, recognised internationally, in any aspect of the business of modern botanic gardens:  conservation, plant or environmental science, horticulture or landscape management, public education involving plants or environmental science.

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SOURCE Royal Botanical Gardens