19 November 2024
How do herbarium specimens help save plants from extinction?
From pressed plants to conserved biodiversity - here's how herbaria help combat species extinction
Biodiversity loss stands as one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. Species are disappearing at an alarming rate due to habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, and other human-induced factors. But fear not. Amidst this crisis, an unexpected hero emerges: the humble herbarium specimen.
Herbaria—collections of preserved plant specimens—have traditionally been viewed as static archives of botanical history. However, in today's rapidly changing world, they are proving to be dynamic tools essential for conservation, research, and policy-making. By digitising these collections, we unlock their full potential to combat biodiversity loss and safeguard our natural heritage.
But how do dried plants actually help prevent biodiversity loss? Here’s some examples with real-world case studies to illustrate.
1. Reviving plants assumed to be extinct
What this means
Herbarium specimens serve as vital references for identifying plant species, including those presumed extinct. Detailed records of a plant's morphology, habitat, and historical distribution enable botanists to recognise and rediscover species in the wild.
How this helps us save species from extinction
By providing comprehensive data on plant characteristics and ecological requirements, herbarium specimens guide conservation strategies. They inform habitat restoration, cultivation techniques, and reintroduction programs, thereby aiding in the preservation of endangered species.
Case study: Rescuing the Ascension Island Parsley Fern
In 2010, botanists rediscovered the Ascension Island parsley fern (Anogramma ascensionis), thought extinct for over 60 years. Using herbarium records, researchers identified the fern and initiated a conservation program. Spores were collected and successfully cultivated here at Kew, leading to the growth of over 60 new plants. From this initiative we can see how herbarium specimens can be instrumental in saving species from extinction.
2. Unlocking Historical Data for Modern Conservation
What this means
Herbarium specimens provide historical data that can be compared with present-day conditions – acting as botanical time capsules if you will - allowing researchers to map changes in plant distributions over time.
How this helps us save species from extinction
This information is critical for understanding species' geographic ranges and how they've shifted in response to changing climates and human activity. And this is critical as it helps us understand where to target and prioritise our conservation efforts for, as an example, our TIPAs (Tropical Important Plant Areas) program.
Case Study: Using herbarium specimens to understand and protect plant species from climate change
A study by Hufft et al. (2018) highlights the importance of herbarium specimens in conservation research. By examining historical plant samples from Colorado's alpine region, the researchers assessed how the flowering times of 287 species have changed in relation to temperature and precipitation.
They discovered that as temperatures rise, plants tend to bloom earlier, while increased rainfall can delay flowering. These findings highlight the invaluable role of herbarium specimens in understanding how plants respond to climate change and in selecting species for ongoing monitoring efforts.
3. Using a specimen’s location data to find and protect species
What this means
Geolocation data derived from herbarium specimens is pivotal in conservation studies aimed at combating biodiversity loss. For example, in preparation of a field trip, it allows scientists to identify where a plant species can be found even before stepping foot in the country.
How this helps us save species from extinction
By providing precise information on species' historical and current distributions, this data enables researchers to map how species respond to environmental changes and human activities, thereby informing targeted conservation strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss. This is particularly powerful when combined with DNA analysis as highlighted in this case study.
Case study: Saving British Virgin Islands’ plants with geolocation data and DNA analysis
Our scientists at Kew are examining the DNA of all native plants from the British Virgin Islands to understand how they are related to each other – a key consideration behind biodiversity research to support conservation. Geolocation data from our specimens’ labels enabled local scientists to estimate where species are distributed, and the level of threat they face.
In this work, researchers used both the genetic relationships between species and their estimated distributions to better understand how to prioritise conservation of the native flora.
This work has provided vital information about risk factors for the islands’ plant life, and in turn helped local people to address threats to flora and habitats, and to design effective conservation plans.
What’s next? Taking Kew’s entire collection online
Herbarium specimens are far more than pressed plants tucked away on shelves—they are vital resources in our fight against biodiversity loss. By unlocking the historical and ecological data they contain, and by embracing digitisation, we transform these collections into powerful tools for conservation.
At Kew, our digitisation project aims to make our vast herbarium accessible to all, fostering research and conservation efforts worldwide for free. Check out the opportunities below to get involved.
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%20(1).jpg1da2.webp "Herbarium specimens laid out in Kew's Wing C")
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.pngb8de.webp "Herbarium specimens can help us combat climate change")
