Proceedings of the 7th and 8th Symposia on Collection Building and Natural History Studies in Asia and the Pacific Rim,
edited by Y. Tomida et al., National Science Museum Monographs, (34): 25–35, 2006.

The Tasmanian Herbarium and Its Role in Biodiversity Research,
Land Management, Conservation and Economic Development
Gintaras Kantvilas1 and Hiroyuki Kashiwadani2
1

Tasmanian Herbarium, Private Bag 4, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia(e-mail: gkantvilas@tmag.tas.gov.au)
2
Department of Botany, National Science Museum, 4–1–1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305–0005, Japan(e-mail: hkashiwa@kahaku.go.jp)

Abstract The Tasmanian Herbarium (HO) houses more than 250,000 plant specimens covering all
major plant groups. It is part of a closely linked network of Australian State and Territory herbaria
and represents the most comprehensive scientific record of the Tasmanian flora in the world. Nonvascular plants form a major component of the Tasmanian Herbarium, which represents one of the
major repositories of lichen and bryophyte collections in Australia. The history of Tasmanian Botanyand of the Herbarium are outlined briefly. The botanical collections at HO are more than heritage
items or taxonomic specimens, but underpin a wide range of scientific, economic and social activities. These include: traditional systematics research and compilation of Floras; vouchering of ecological and floristic surveys, especially in habitats subject to severe modification or degradation; underpinning decisions relating to land management and development; providing baseline data on species
distributions that support flora conservation; contributing to Tasmania’s economic development
through involvement in biochemical research, plant quarantine and weed control; and public education by providing a window to Tasmania’s rich and diverse flora for all the community.
Key words:

Tasmania, herbarium, flora, lichens, mosses, conservation.

Introduction: Australian Herbaria
Australian Herbaria fall into two main categories, those managed by State and Commonwealth Government agencies, and those within universities (Fig. 1). There is also a small numberof specialised, mycological herbaria that focus mainly on pathogenic fungi. University herbaria
were established principally as teaching collections and are usually of relatively recent origin,smaller and with a narrower focus. The State and Commonwealth herbaria are larger and function as the major repositories of plant collections and taxonomic expertise for their respective
governments (Cowley & West, 1999). They typically have diverse collections that represent allplant groups including vascular plants, fungi, algae, bryophytes and lichens. In some cases, they
may have a regional or biogeographic focus relevant to the State or Territory they represent.
These herbaria, which number eight, comprise the core members of CHAH, the Council ofHeads of Australasian Herbaria. Other members of CHAH include single representatives fromthe University herbaria, from the mycological herbaria, and from the the Council of New Zealand
Herbaria.
The herbaria of Australia collectively interact very closely, and consult with each other on a

26

G. Kantvilas and H. KashiwadaniFig. 1. Location of herbaria in Australia, taken from Cowley & West (1999). The core members of the Council ofHeads of Australasian Herbaria (CHAH) are underlined.

wide range of issues, including collecting protocols, curation standards, pest management, loans
and exchanges, and quarantine issues. They have also co-operated closely on several national
projects:
1.

Flora of Australia/Fungi of Australia seriesThis series will comprise more than 60 volumes covering all plant groups; more than 30 volumes have been published since 1981. The series is funded by the Australian Commonwealth
Government through the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS). ABRS funds editing
and publication, and offers grants that assist the revision and/or preparation of Flora accounts of
selected plant groups. The Australian herbarium community contributes most of the taxonomic
expertise and writing of manuscripts.
2.

Herbarium Information Systems Committee (HISCOM)
This is an ongoing initiative that deals with the application of new technologies in herbarium
management, botanical research and information delivery. It is particularly concerned withthe electronic capture and exchange of specimen label data through the developmentof HISPID (Herbarium Information Standards and Protocols for Interchange of Data)(http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/HISCOM).
3.

Australia’s Virtual Herbarium (AVH)
This most recent initiative is an on-line botanical information resource. It provides access via
the Web to the wealth of data associated with all the plant specimens held in each Australianherbarium (www.chah.gov.au/avh). The AVH provides a comprehensive resource for:– the accurate depiction of the past and present geographic distribution of plants;– the revision and classification of the Australian flora, including highlighting gaps inknowledge;

The Tasmanian Herbarium and Its Role

Fig. 2.

27

Herbarium specimens in Australian institutions, taken from Cowley & West (1999).

– the interpretation of the ecology and habitat of species and vegetation types through linkages between plant specimen data and geographical information; and– the management of herbarium of collections.
In the future, the AVH will be enhanced by images, descriptive text, identification tools and otherfeatures. The AVH is supported by the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments tothe combined value of AUD 7.8 million over the five years from 2001–2006 A further AUD 2 m
is being sought from the private sector.
The Collections of the Australian Herbaria
The total number of specimens held by the Australian State and Territory herbaria is estimated at 6.3 million. The Tasmanian Herbarium (HO) holds 255,000 or approximately 4% (Fig. 2).
However, due to the geographic and, in some cases, taxonomic specialisation of each institution,
mere percentages do not determine relative importance. Thus, HO represents the most comprehensive scientific record of the Tasmanian flora in the world, and similar regional significance isaccorded to each institution.
Although non-vascular plants are represented in all the herbaria, their relative proportion isparticularly high in HO, amounting to about 40% of the total collection (Fig. 3). This represents
c. 10% of the total Australian holdings. With respect to the lichens and bryophytes, the Tasmanian Herbarium collection is even more significant nationally, representing approximately 15% of
the Australian total for both groups.

28

G. Kantvilas and H. KashiwadaniFig. 3.

Proportions of specimens of major plant groups held by the Tasmanian Herbarium (HO).

Brief History of Tasmanian Botany
The earliest plant collections from Tasmania date from the first European explorations into
the Southern Ocean (Kantvilas, 1996). This was a period of great advance in Botany. The discovery of new floras, rich in unique species, genera and families, spurred the development of new
systems of classification that could accommodate these new discoveries. Conversely, it was thedevelopment of Botany as a science, unshackled from the herbalist, apothecary and gardener, that
ensured that botanists accompanied all the early voyages of discovery from the late 18th Century
onwards (Morton, 1981). It is no accident that the Australian flora commemorates these earlynavigators in plant genera such as Bougainvillea, Cookia, Dampiera, Freycinetia and others.
Although preceded by several other voyages, the first expedition to collect substantial numbers of plant specimens from Tasmania was that of James Cook in the Resolution in 1777. The
botanist on board was David Nelson, and it was on one of his specimens, from Bruny Island,
south-eastern Tasmania, that the genus Eucalyptus was based (Kantvilas, 1996).
The next major plant collections from Tasmania were compiled by J. J. de Labillardière,
botanist aboard the French expedition of Bruny D’Entrecasteaux in 1792–93. His specimens included the first lichens to be described from the region, including the striking Cladia retipora
Nyl. (Kantvilas, 1983). The history of the collections is fascinating: in the course of being transported to Europe, they were seized from the French by the Dutch, and from the Dutch by the
English in the course of the shifting alliances during the Napoleonic Wars, before being returned
to Labillardière. The collections form the basis of the first illustrated publication on the flora of
Tasmania, Labillardière’s Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen, published in 1804–1807(Duyker, 2003).
The next highlight in Tasmania’s botanical history is the visit of the renown Scottish Botanist
and later Keeper of Botany at the British Museum, Robert Brown. Brown participated in theThe Tasmanian Herbarium and Its Role29

founding of the first British settlements in Tasmania in 1804 and collected extensively at several
locations (Vallance et al., 2001). His major publication was his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen, published in 1810; it is one of the first significant botanical works inthe world to adopt the natural classification system of Jussieu (Morton, 1981).
The third major published work on Tasmanian Botany is Joseph Dalton Hooker’s Flora Tasmaniae, published in 1860. Hooker visited Tasmania in 1840 in the course of an expedition to
Antarctic and subantarctic regions. He also collaborated closely with resident Tasmanianbotanists and collectors. Hooker’s book is more than a landmark in Tasmanian botanical history.
In its ‘Introductory Essay’ (Hooker, 1855), it contains the first and most explicit published acceptance of Charles Darwin’s controversial theory of evolution by a leading scientist anywhere in
the world (Morton, 1981).
Thus although Tasmania is a remote corner of the world, its flora and the botanists that studied it have been very much at the centre of the world stage. Regretably, the specimens collectedby these early visitors are housed predominantly in the large herbaria of Europe, and especially at
the Natural History Museum in London (BM). However, a small number have been donated to
the Tasmanian Herbarium in recent times and provide an important insight into the history of scientific exploration and botanical discovery in the region.
The History of the Tasmanian Herbarium
The founding collections of the Tasmanian Herbarium date from the early 1830s. They weremade by amateur botanists such as Robert William Lawrence, Ronald Campbell Gunn andJoseph Milligan, residents of the fledgling colony of Van Diemens Land as Tasmania was thenknown (Tasmanian Herbarium, 2004). In 1838, the Tasmanian Society was formed by the thenGovernor, Sir John Franklin, with the aim of promoting scientific enquiry in the colony. A second
scientific body, the Botanical and Horticultural Society of Van Diemens Land, was founded in1843 by the succeeding Governor, Sir John Eardley-Wilmot. The two Societies merged in 1848
as the Royal Society of Van Diemens Land (later to become the Royal Society of Tasmania), thefirst Royal Society to be formed outside the United Kingdom (Piesse, 1914; Winter, 1993).
Botanists held prominent positions throughout the early years of the Society and donated important plant specimens. In 1928, the Royal Society of Tasmania founded a Botanical Section of theMuseum under the directorship of the Honorary Government Botanist, Leonard Rodway. Subsequent years saw responsibility for the care of the collections shift between the Royal Tasmanian
Botanical Gardens, the Tasmanian Museum and the University of Tasmania. It was not until 1977
that the name Tasmanian Herbarium was formally adopted and the collection transferred to thecare of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (Parham, 1976). This administrative arrangement remains today, with the Museum being a section of the Tasmanian Department of Tourism,
Parks, Heritage and the Arts. The collections are housed in a purpose-built facility on the campusof the University of Tasmania (Fig. 4). The current staff of the Tasmanian Herbarium are shownin Table 1. The combination in one institution of a State Herbarium, a Museum and an Art
Gallery is very unusual, especially in Australia, but it makes a very diverse and dynamic union.
Main Activities of the Tasmanian Herbarium
The core business of the Herbarium is the development, maintenance and management of the
botanical collections of Tasmania (Tasmanian Herbarium, 2004). New additions to the collec-

30

G. Kantvilas and H. KashiwadaniFig. 4. The Tasmanian Herbarium building in Hobart, Tasmania. A: exterior; B: compactus shelving in the specimen storage vault. Photos: J. Jarman.

The Tasmanian Herbarium and Its Role
Table 1.

31

Staff of the Tasmanian Herbarium (December 2004).

Head of the Herbarium
Gintaras Kantvilas B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D (Lichens)
Curators
Marco Duretto B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D (Angiosperms)
Alex Buchanan B.Sc. (Angiosperms)
Matthew Baker B.Agr.Sc. (Hons) (Weeds and exotic flora)Technical Officer
Dalia Howe Dip.Teach., B.Ed. (Cryptogams) (part-time)
Administration
Kim Hill B.A., Cert. Hort.
Temporary, externally funded appointments
Lyn Cave B.Sc. (Hons) (Manager, AVH Project)
Jennifer Cooke (Technical Officer, AVH Project) (part-time)
Jean Jarman B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. (Curator, Bryophytes) (part-time)
Timmothy Newlands Cert. Bus. (Data Entry, AVH Project)
Honorary Botanists
Alan Gray (Vascular plants)
Dennis Morris D.Sc. (Angiosperms, esp. monocotyledons)
Rod Seppelt B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Bryophytes)
Volunteers
Allan Bradshaw B.Sc.
Sue McGuigan

tions are acquired through the work of herbarium staff and associates, donations from the public
and other researchers, and through exchange with other herbaria. Specimens from all groups are
accepted but due to lack of expertise amongst staff, material of algae and fungi is not actively
pursued. The collections are more than heritage items or taxonomic reference specimens, but underpin a wide range of scientific, economic and social activities undertaken by the broader Tasmanian community. Some specific projects and activities are discussed below.
1.

Systematics and Flora Compilation
The native vascular flora of Tasmania consists of approximtely 1830 species, with some of
the largest families including the Asteraceae, Epacridaceae, Myrtaceae, Cyperaceae, Orchidaceae
and Poaceae (www.tmag.tas.gov.au/Herbarium/Herbarium2.htm). 24% of the native vascularflora is endemic. New taxa continue to be added to the flora as a result of taxonomic revision or
new discoveries. Current systematics research is focussing on Boronia (Rutaceae), Leptecophylla(Epacridaceae) and certain genera of the Liliaceae s. lat. The standard manual for the Tasmanianvascular flora, The Students Flora of Tasmania by Winifred Curtis and Dennis Morris, was published in five parts from 1956 to 1994. It is currently being revised, with all work being undertaken in-house by staff and associates of HO.
The other major research focus is lichens. The Tasmanian flora consists of approximately
1000 species, but it is estimated that several hundred more are yet to be discovered and/or identified, especially in the crustose groups. In the last 10 years, more than 60 new species and seven
new genera have been described from the Tasmanian lichen flora, and many more species havebeen recorded for the first time. Current research activity is focussed on the Roccellaceae, Micarea and Psoroma. There has never been a comprehensive lichen flora for Tasmania, although
the Tasmanian Herbarium is contributing to the Flora of Australia lichen volumes. However, a series entitled Tasmanian Lichens. Identification, Distribution and Conservation Status is being

32

G. Kantvilas and H. Kashiwadaniproduced. The first volume, dealing with the Parmeliaceae, has been published (Kantvilas et al.,2002), and work on the second, concentrating on the Cladoniaceae, is well advanced.
2.

Ecological Research and Floristic Surveys
Ecological research is currently confined to non-vascular plants. A long-term project is underway exploring alternative methods of harvesting and regenerating eucalypts in Tasmania’s wet
forests, and their impacts on lichens and bryophytes, as well as other components of the forest
ecosystem (Jarman & Kantvilas, 2001a, b; Kantvilas & Jarman, 2004). Work involves comparison of lichen and bryophytes floras before logging and their recovery after logging (Fig. 5). This
project is closely inter-related with taxonomic studies in that it generates collections of previously unrecorded or undescribed species, especially lichens.
Floristic surveys, mostly of vascular plants, are undertaken mainly as consultancies for private, corporate or government clients. Under Tasmanian legislation, developments such as housing, water storage and reticulation of services must be preceded by assessments of botanical values and other criteria. Surveys may also be undertaken in other areas of interest, including fragile
habitats of high conservation value, or in remote or under-collected areas. All surveys undertaken
by Herbarium staff generate collections of voucher specimens. Non-herbarium consultants that
undertake floristic surveys are also encouraged to lodge vouchers.
3.

Conservation of Species and Vegetation Types
The conservation and reservation of species and vegetation types in Tasmania is underpinnedby various Acts of Parliament including the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995,
the Nature Conservation Act 2002 and the Crown Lands Act 1976. The listing of threatened
species under the schedules of the Act and the demarcation of Reserve boundaries is based to alarge extent on accurate species distribution data. The databases of the Tasmanian Herbarium
represent a primary source of plant information, especially because herbarium data is voucheredby actual specimens and is therefore verifiable. The Herbarium is involved in preparing or checking formal nominations of species for listing, and in confirming species identifications, nomenclatural matters and population locations.
4.

Public Education
The Tasmanian Herbarium plays a critical role in public education on botany, especially theidentification of native plants and weeds. It provides an identification service that is generally
free of charge except for commercial clients. This is supported by a public reference collection.
Herbarium staff also provide direct advice and assistance to professional and amateur botanists
and may supervise or assist post-graduate students from the University. Herbarium Open Days
that highlight its activities, interesting collections and current projects are held annually, usuallyin conjunction with community events such as University Open Day or Weedbuster Week. Staff
also give talks and tours of the Herbarium facility to various community groups, and provide
travelling displays as part of larger exhibitions.
5.

Contributions to Economic Development
The Tasmanian economy is based heavily on the utilisation and exploitation of its natural resources, especially forestry, mining, agriculture and wilderness tourism.
Approximately 765 exotic species have become naturalised, representing 30% of the total
vascular flora, and this figure increases annually as more species are introduced or detected

The Tasmanian Herbarium and Its Role

33

Fig. 5. A major project involves the study of lichens and bryophytes in wet eucalypt forest (A) and their recovery
after logging and regeneration treatment (B). Photos: J. Jarman.

(Rozefelds et al., 1999; M. Baker pers. comm.). The Tasmanian Herbarium is directly involved inearly weed detection in Tasmania, identifying specimens of new or unusual incursions and providing specialist botanical advice on weeds. One recent case involved a vigilant farmer who noticed unusual burrs in the tails of cattle brought to Tasmania from mainland Australia. The burrs
were identified as a particularly nasty weed, Xanthium orientale, currently not established in Tas-

34

G. Kantvilas and H. KashiwadaniFig. 6. Burrs of the weed Xanthium orientale that were brought into Tasmania attached to the fur of cattle. Photo:
M. Baker.

mania (Fig. 6). Prompt action and good taxonomy prevented a potentially serious future weed
problem (Hanson & Crane, 2003; M. Baker pers. comm.). Herbarium data is also used to monitor
the introduction and spread of weeds, whereas the collections of specimens of exotic flora are
critical for comparative identifications.
A major project in 1996–2001 saw the Tasmanian Herbarium involved with the bioprospecting company Cerylid (formerly Exgenics, formerly AMRAD). The Herbarium’s contribution to
the project was the collection of plant specimens, their accurate identification, their subdivision
into specific organs and tissues, and the management of associated collecting information andvoucher specimens. Similar smaller-scale projects continue to be undertaken with other clients as
the opportunities arise.
Aspects of ecological and floristic research as described above also have a central role in Tasmania’s economic development, in so far as they impact on major commercial activities such as
dam-building and forestry.
Conclusion
The Tasmanian Herbarium occupies a pivotal role in the Tasmanian community. Tasmania isendowed with an environment that is still in a relatively natural state, where opportunities for individuals to interact directly with plants and native vegetation are frequent. Whether one intends
to conserve a plant species, to manage it, cultivate it, or to exploit it for its economic values, or
simply to appreciate it, the correct botanical name of the plant is vital as the means of communication about it. Similarly, correct plant names have legal implications in applying laws associatedwith rare species, noxious weeds, patents of plant products, quarantine regulations and illicit

The Tasmanian Herbarium and Its Role

35

drugs. The Herbarium, as the custodian and manager of flora information, represents the fundamental starting point for all plant-based activities, even if public appreciation and understandingof this pivotal role is sometimes limited.
In addition, there is still much to discover and learn about Tasmania’s flora, and the regulardiscoveries of new species indicate that it will be a long time before Tasmania’s plant biodiversity
is fully documented. In this and all other tasks, good collections are vital, for the collections are
the vouchered, long-term, material evidence of what is already known, and the working raw materials in the quest to learn even more about Tasmania’s attractive and unusual flora.
Acknowledgements
The first author thanks Jean Jarman for preparation of the figures, Lyn Cave for assistancewith generating collection statistics, and the National Science Museum, Tokyo, for financial support which enabled him to present an oral version of this paper in Tokyo at the Seventh Symposium on Collection Building and Natural History Studies in Asia and the Pacific Rim.
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