source- squ.edu.om

Herbarium Role

Plants are one of the main components of our environment and their diversity is fundamental to environmental health and successful human existence. A Herbarium, collection of preserved specimens arranged adequately to enable them to be retrieved quickly, is thus the most essential working tool for the taxonomist. Plant records at herbaria provide details of historical change. The primary data contained in preserved specimens can play important role to help taxonomists on:

    Determination of a plant as being identical with or similar to another element (i.e Identification)
    Determination of the correct scientific name according to a nomenclature system as per rules of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN).
    Placement of a plant or groups of plants in groups that reflect close relationships on the basis of similar properties and compatible genetic systems (i.e Classification).
    Plant distribution
    Plant ecology by means of habitat in which they grow.
    Plant uses and useful properties

Users of the Herbarium

Researchers: Herbarium collections form the main source of data for scientists involved in botanical research. Examples of such researches are preparation of identification guides, checklists and floras or description of new species or production of distribution maps. Such researches help clarify evolutionary relationships among groups of plants, aid in decision making, environmental studies and conservation of biodiversity. Moreover, herbarium specimens can be a valuable source of DNA material for molecular studies. In return, herbaria act as repository of vouchers (specimens that document the identity of plant samples) used in scientific researches for future references.

Government agencies: Ministries concerned with environmental issues and natural culture utilize the information from herbaria for management purposes and monitoring of nature reserves.

Private organizations: Consultant agencies make use herbarium resources to report plant checklists and draw conclusions required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA may report distribution of plants to identify rare and threatened species and make recommendations and mitigation measures to minimize effects and environmental disturbance while developing a particular project (especially those of industrial nature).

Students: Preparatory and secondary level students visit a herbarium to gain a practical experience of what they learn as part of school curriculum regarding basics of plant classification. At the graduate level, science students use the herbarium for plant identification, class assignments and different research projects such ecological, environmental and chemical studies.