Transfer of 7 million dried samples to distant site will hamper research, scientists say
The herbarium at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew may be the largest and most significant plant collection in the world. It contains more than 7 million specimens dried and pressed on paper sheets; laid end to end, they would extend three times the length of the United Kingdom. The research at Kew, in southwest London, is equally impressive, says Barbara Thiers, who for many years directed the herbarium at the New York Botanical Garden. “What Kew does is immensely important and immensely influential.
The main structure—originally built in the mid–18th century and once a royal residence— has been expanded six times since it was established as the herbarium in 1853. But its collection has continued to grow: On average, about 20,000 new specimens arrive each year. “Basically, we’re running out of space,” Antonelli says.
So, management began to look elsewhere, and in June announced its preferred site: the Thames Valley Science Park , located about 45 minutes’ drive away and owned by the University of Reading. The majority of the herbarium’s specimens would be moved to a purpose-built structure on the site, which would also include labs for extracting DNA and digital imaging and provide space for more than 150 researchers, including herbarium staff. “It’s going to be a world class facility,” Antonelli says.
At a June meeting, 20 scientists presented their arguments directly to Kew trustees. But the trustees—who include Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute, and two other prominent scientists—were not swayed. At a subsequent meeting with management, staff were warned not to contact journalists or the trustees, according to the curator who started the petition. Some say they feel intimidated about protesting the move.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
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