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BOTANICAL SCIENCE DIVISION

The Botanical Sciences Division is one of three Science Divisions at the PMNH that deal with plants – their collection, preservation, and identification in the lab/herbarium, as well as their management and conservation in the field. The references collection are sub-divided into three herbaria including, Algarium (collection of algal sample) Fungarium (Mushrooms specimens) Plant Herbarium with approximately 1.15 million specimens. Collections consist of Natural specimens from all over Pakistan and are increasing day by day. For researchers/scientists from all around the country, this historical and highly valuable scientific collection is the only source of basic and applied sciences research. Botanical Science Division also provides guidance and assistance to researchers, students, and other interested individuals and organisations in the proper identification, management, and utilization of Pakistan's Flora, as well as educating the general public about the importance of plants and potential threats to Plant Biodiversity.

Research and Resources:

Natural History Museum is an important research resource due to its collection, preservation and identification of specimens from all over the country. The collection reveals new taxonomic information as well as plant geographical distribution. It is a one-of-a-kind resource for studying global plant (algae + fungi) diversity. Scientists and researchers come to the collection to collect data for their research. Field visits are the key factor in management and up gradation of collection data (Plant specimens). The addition of new specimens and the replacement of previously damaged specimens is a continuous process. The scientists are very interested in identification specimen management and curation in order to keep the collection safe, secure, and well-managed. Data digitization is currently underway in order to make collection details available online. Photo Gallery

Plant Herbarium :

This herbarium comprises of about 100,000 species of angiosperms and gymnosperms. The herbarium specimens are preserved on specified sheets of standard size having a label that indicates its proper identification along with a brief notes about habit, habitat and collection details. The seeds and large sized plant parts like woody stem and cones are preserved in specified boxes and jars. Herbarium specimens are very important for the proper documentation of biodiversity of any specific geographical region as a reference for identification, as validation of scientific information, as taxonomic identifications are the baselines for the various field of Botanical research. The Research interests of Botanists at plants herbarium deals with various issues of systematic Botany where the morphology, anatomy, palynology and molecular studies are used to formulate hypothesis of common ancestry and evolutionary patterns. The Scientists are also actively involved in developing the next generation of Botanists by training undergraduate and graduate students. Few Medicinal Plants

Fungarium:

Fungarium data is an excellent resource. The Fungarium comprises about 45,000 mushrooms specimens from all over the country. The Fungarium collections of dried mushroom specimens preserved in boxes for futher analysis by scientists and mycologists. Fungarium serves as a data source for ecological, biogeographical, and conservation research. The fungarium collections, particularly the data associated with them, can be used to better understand mushrooms distributions, fruiting season. The Fungarium allows scientists to compare new samples to existing collections, allowing for more accurate identification and description of previously unknown species via Molecular studies. The scientists are also actively involved in training undergraduate and graduate students to become the next generation of botanists. Few Medicinal Fungi

Algarium:

Algarium comprises about 35,000 sample bottles.Algae is microscopic study, microscope contain different specimens in just one drop of slides preserved in liquid. The collection is comprised of marine, estuarine, freshwater, terrestrial and airborne micro and macro algae from different regions of Pakistan. Scientists have broad research interests that include systematics, ecology, conservation, and education outreach with relation to fresh water and marine algae. They are also actively involved in training of research students. Few Medicinal Algae

Main Objectives:

  • Collection of plants from all over Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, their preservation and systematic arrangement.
  • Taxonomic identification of plants and their classification in to Families, Genera and Species.
  • To build a “National Repository of Plants” in the form of Herbarium for ready references to researchers and other users.
  • To educate general public and guide the students/researchers (M.Sc., M.Phil, Ph.D) for their thesis.
  • To provide information and plant material for PMNH display activities
  • To advise the Govt. agencies/NGOs and International organizations like IUCN, WWF, FAO, WHO in connection with the proper management and utilization of plants.
  • To deliver lectures and hold symposia/seminars/workshops to indicate the role of Natural History.
  • To publish the research findings in the form of books/articles etc, beside other publications like brochures, posters pamphlets and diromas.
  • Industrial linkage