Those earlier mycologists could not have imagined that some species of fungi would become extinct or endangered due to global warming, pollution or the destruction of their habitat. Today, their collections can be used to make lists of species that no longer exist, aid in the reconstruction of the biota of a destroyed habitat, or provide a record of the changes over time in the fungi growing in a habitat. As new methods of investigation are discovered, the record of identity, time and place contained in research collections will continue to result in new information. Herbaria were first established in the 15th century as a reference and teaching tool for the medicinal gardens of monasteries. Today, a herbarium is considered a museum because it preserves biological specimens.
Most herbaria have no public exhibits.
Herbaria that are part of a public museum may have public exhibits about fungi. The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois, is an example of an exhibit museum that contains public displays, a herbarium and other research collections of animals and fossils. Collections often include other elements related to the physical specimens. Mycologists take notes on their collections and often make spore prints. They take photographs of fresh fungi because the color and shape often change when fungi are dried.