Herbarium The Quest to Preserve & Classify the World's Plants

About this book

For nearly six centuries, scientists have been document­ing the plants and fungi of the world through herbaria. The wealth of specimens available today, carefully pre­served through the centuries, is a unique source of data that not only helps scientists understand how the world's vegetation has changed over time, but also allows them to predict how it will change in the future. In Herbarium, Barbara M. Thiers shares the fascinat­ing history of herbaria and the important role they play in our modern world. Herbarium is heavily illustrated with photographs and unique historical material from the collection at the New York Botanical Garden. It is a must-read for passionate plant fans and conservationists.

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Biography

As Director of the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium, Barbara Thiers is responsible for overseeing the Garden's collection of 7.8 million vascular plants, algae, bryophytes, and fungi and the 30 staff members who manage these collections. The Steere Herbarium is the largest in the western hemisphere, and second-largest in the world. Her studies have taken her to Australia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela