ABSTRACT
Botanical gardens around the world are now committed with preservation matters, mainly in the field of biodiversity maintenance, acting between in situ and ex situ conservation. They look for common strategies in the planet environmental sustainability, especially those directed to the local flora.
The purpose of this work is to undertake a critical analysis of the Resolução CONAMA 266, the legal text that fixes guidelines for the creation of Brazilian botanical gardens, with definitions of aims and operational norms, also including a structure for their classification.
One of the conclusions of the analysis refers to the necessity of revising the Resolução 266, in the light of the main environmental questions that have been arising recently. Far beyond a pure set of norms, it must be regarded as an instrument to promote the development of Brazilian botanical gardens, as demanded by the sustainable use of natural resources, with emphasis in the biodiversity conservation.
Key words:
botanic gardens; norms; plants conservation; Brazilian legislation