The Butterfly Effect
By: Shanelle Ribeiro
Tags: Climate Change, Museums, Conservation, Natural Science

“T here are some four million different kinds of animals and plants in the world. Four million different solutions to the problems of staying alive.” David Attenborough

The concept of the butterfly effect is broadly used to describe a situation where a small change leads to large consequences. It is intended to imply that the flap of a butterfly’s wings can cause a tornado (Wikipedia). This might sound improbable, but a recent project I have been involved in, as part of the broader Natural Science Collections Facility (NSCF) project, has proven just that.

My involvement in the NSCF’s Value of Collections project, has made it apparent to me that, through the study of preserved plants and animals, there are endless possibilities of finding solutions to the problems that threaten our planet and those that live on it.

From coming across stories of how the smallest microscopic worms (nematodes) prevented a national disaster, to the prediction of the viability of growing certain crops in new areas to ensure food security through the study of a simple plant specimen label; it is apparent that dried, pinned and pickled plant and animal collections hold the key to our well-being and survival.

Image by Kirstin Williams, KwaZulu-Natal Museum

South Africa has an estimated 100 natural science collections at approximately 40 institutions. Together they provide over 18 million objects or specimens representing about 100,000 different species of plants, animals, and fungi. These have been assembled over the last 200 years and represent life on earth since its origins.

Research and data from these collections contribute to solving problems of national and global relevance in many different ways.

‘Every natural history specimen with good data provides a physical snapshot of a species or community at a particular point in time and space. It is this physical scientific record that makes collections so valuable.’ (Jacobs, A. 2020)

The documentation and study of these natural science specimens underpin our understanding and further research into evolution, nature conservation, environmental impacts of climate change, pest and disease control, solving crime, public health, food security and allow for future predictions that can inform decision-making by policy makers.

The custodians of these irreplaceable collections have a huge responsibility towards our future generations. The tiniest or most seemingly insignificant specimen might hold the key to preventing the next pandemic or other extinction crisis.

Unfortunately, natural science institutions in South Africa, in the form of museums, science councils and universities are often underfunded, understaffed and undervalued.

The NSCF’s Value of Collections project, funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), aims to document the priceless value of the collections and its contribution to saving our planet, and in so doing increase public appreciation and understanding, and inform decision making by policy makers and governing bodies.

Image by Terrence Bellingan, Albany Museum

We might not be able to control where the flap of the butterfly’s wings take us, but we can save the butterfly.

To read more about the value of South African natural science collections, and the research projects that have contributed to our understanding and conservation of earth, visit: https://nscf.org.za/resources/the-value-of-natural-science-collections/

(a list of references used in this article is available at the above link)