Beyond the state-of-the-art in herbarium-based research
Herbarium specimens ultimately play a fundamental role in a remarkably broad range of research projects, that may or may not be based at collection-holding institutions. Different uses emphasize often different aspects of specimens. This includes physical plant material (e.g., for ancient DNA or stable isotope analysis), high-resolution digital images (such as some taxonomic, morphometric or phenological purposes), and pure label data of well-determined specimens (for instance, some floristic purposes and biodiversity assessments). Finding specimens through digitalization projects are typically critical to all, including for the history of science. Herbarium leadership is directly or indirectly responsible for enabling all this, inherently interdisciplinary, research.

This workshop will facilitate exchange among all stakeholders of herbarium-based research, from researchers- and curatorial perspectives. In smaller, interdisciplinary discussion groups, in which you actively participate, you will discuss (unrealized) potential of herbarium-based research, and discover other participants' perspective on how to realize them. The workshop represents a marker of ideas prior to the conference' talks, and also functions as ice-breaker.  In the plenary discussion at the end of the meeting, we will revisit ideas that surfaced in the workshop, and assess whether we should update them.

Prof. Richard B. Primack, Boston University, USA: Climate change effects on wildflowers, trees and birds. Building on the observations of the famous American environmental philosopher Henry David Thoreau, author of «Walden»

Henry David Thoreau is America’s most famous environmental philosopher and author of the book Walden. For the past 18 years, Professor Richard Primack and his team have been building on Thoreau’s records from the 1850s and other Massachusetts data sources to investigate the earlier flowering and leafing out times of plants, the earlier flight times of butterflies, and the more variable response of migratory birds. Plants are also changing in abundance due to a warming climate. This work is now being extended to the neglected autumn season.  What would Thoreau tell us to do about global climate change if he were alive today?