restoration.
International Research & Partnerships: The institution works in more than 40 countries, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, and South America. Collaborative projects include documenting flora (e.g., Flora of Nepal), identifying new species, and training local botanists.
Conservation Science & Genomics: Scientists use advanced DNA sequencing and molecular biology to understand plant relationships and identify species most at risk. This research guides global Red List assessments and informs conservation translocations.
Herbarium & Archive: RBGE houses a globally significant Herbarium with over three million dried specimens, representing up to two-thirds of the world's plant diversity. These records are vital for tracking environmental changes over centuries.
National & Local Impact in Scotland
Species Recovery: RBGE leads efforts to restore rare Scottish plants, such as the alpine sowthistle and the Catacol whitebeam.
Nature-Based Solutions: The garden develops and demonstrates practical solutions to climate change, such as "Rain Gardens" to manage urban flooding and coastal defense projects.
Biosecurity: It was the first UK public garden to receive "Plant Healthy" certification, implementing strict protocols to prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases.
Flagship Initiatives
Edinburgh Biomes Project: A major infrastructure project launched to restore historic glasshouses and create state-of-the-art facilities to safeguard the living collection against climate change.
Global Conservation Consortia: RBGE coordinates international efforts for specific plant groups, notably leading the International Conifer Conservation and the Global Conservation Consortium for Rhododendron.