Rationale
- One of the major challenges in ecosystem conservation is obtaining baseline data, particularly for regions that have been poorly collected. While herbarium records have traditionally been collected to build botanical reference libraries for taxonomic and inventory purposes, they provide valuable and useful information regarding species, their distribution in time and space, their traits, phenological characteristics, associated species and their physical environment. These data have the potential to provide invaluable information to feed into evidence-based conservation decisions.
- Usually, herbarium staff collects most of the material housed in herbaria, but the role played by other collectors such as researchers, plants enthusiasts and students are significant to the growth of a herbarium.
- Owing to budget constraints and the extensive geographical region that often must be covered, herbarium staff usually cannot collect with the intensity needed for comprehensive coverage of a certain flora area.
- For this reason, all collectors should be encouraged and trained to collect and prepare plant specimens of decent quality, accompanied by properly completed labels.
- Through a series of the introduction and advanced level courses, the Peter Smith University of Botswana Herbarium will create a pool of trained collectors.
Purpose
- Demonstrate understanding of herbarium types, filling, and proper handling of specimens
- Prepare for a plant collection excursion and apply plant collection techniques
- Undertake proper pressing and drying plants of different growth forms
- Apply different types of mounting, prepare and place plant labels
- Incorporate and file specimens into cabinets using a selected filling system
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of herbarium types, filling, and proper handling of specimens
- Prepare for a plant collection excursion and apply plant collection techniques
- Undertake proper pressing and drying plants of different growth forms
- Apply different types of mounting, prepare and place plant labels
- Incorporate and file specimens into cabinets using a selected filling system
Target Population
- Professional guides, wildlife rangers, range management officers, environmental impact assessment practitioners, plant ecologists, plant enthusiasts.
Delivery Modes
- Facilitation
- Demonstrations
- Presentations
- Field work
Assessment
- Class participation
- Quizzes
- Presentations
Recognition of Prior Learning
- BGCSE/IGSCE/O-level certificate
- Industry experience (in plant science environment)
Certification
- Participants should have attended 98% of the Course
- Shown participation in class discussions, group activities
- Have attended all practicum