Posted: September 12th, 2022

Herbarium Collection – Online

SCI2118 Assignment 3
Herbarium Collection – Online
Rationale
Environmental consultants and other botanical professionals routinely collect samples for
identification and recording of species present at study sites. These samples are pressed and
stored for future reference. In many cases, they become specimens held in a herbarium. Many
herbaria around the world are now also storing digital images of their specimens, which are
used by researchers to collate existing information about plant species before undertaking field
activities. This assessment introduces you to some key digital resources and methods.
Task
Prepare a collection of digital plant specimens that represent the dominant flora of a
biogeographic region (bioregion) within the arid zone of Western Australia and a fact sheet that
describes the bioregion. Include:
• A fact sheet that explains the location and definition of an arid zone bioregion, and the
adaptations of the chosen species to the ecological conditions in the bioregion.
• Digital herbarium specimen images of 5 species that represent the dominant flora of the
chosen bioregion.
Bioregions
Like the animals you researched for the Literature Review, many Australian plants show
evolutionary adaptations to aridity. For this assessment, choose one of the arid zone
bioregions in the list below. The three letter codes refer to the codes shown on the Interim
Biogeographical Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) map that is accessible from the unit website.
• Great Sandy Desert Bioregion (GSD)
• Little Sandy Desert Bioregion (LSD)
• Great Victoria Desert Bioregion (GVD)
• Gibson Desert Bioregion (GID)
• Nullarbor Region (NUL)
How to approach the assignment
1. Select a bioregion from the list above.
2. Look up the bioregion on the website
https://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/ibra/australias-bioregions-maps
a. Download a copy of the map as a pdf.
3. Research the definition, climate and vegetation of this bioregion. Start with the
documents on the reference list at the end of these instructions.
4. From your research, select five species of plants that represent the dominant flora of
your chosen bioregion. The five species must
a. Be native to the chosen bioregion. Do not include crop plants, introduced species
or garden plants.
b. Each species must come from different families of flowering plants.
5. Research ecological information about your chosen species. Start with the resources
provided on the unit website. Use web searches or ECU library searches to find other
sources of information. Use only appropriate scholarly sources.
6. Find digital images of herbarium specimens for your chosen species. These must be
sourced from scientific herbaria. Choose images that have a legible herbarium label that
includes the required information (refer to the list below).
a. Start by searching for your species on the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) or
JSTOR Plants. Use the links provided on the unit website.
b. Images from herbaria outside Australia are acceptable.
7. Write your fact sheet using the template provided on the unit website. The text boxes
can be moved or adjusted to fit your information. The fact sheet should have the
following sections and information:
a. Title
b. Author name
c. Introduction: a short paragraph about the bioregion you have selected. How is it
defined? What are its characteristics?
d. Location: include a map of Australia showing where the bioregion is located.
e. Climate: Include rainfall, temperatures, seasonality, and anything else that is of
interest.
f. For each species, write one paragraph (ca 200 words) of text that includes:
i. a short description of the plant;
ii. an explanation of its key morphological and biological adaptations to
aridity;
iii. a thumbnail image that shows key features (this does not replace the
herbarium specimen image), and
iv. a citation to the source of thumbnail image.
g. An end-text reference list. Also use in-text citations in both the text and the
image captions to acknowledge the source of the information. Refer to the ECU
Library Referencing Guide for the correct format. For the digital herbarium
specimen images, provide a table of the sources and url’s .
h. Compile your submission. The first one to two pages should be your fact sheet.
Insert the images of herbarium specimens one per page after the fact sheet.
8. Submit your work: Use the assignment submission link on the unit website.
Examples of important plant families
Myrtaceae Scrophulariaceae
Proteaceae Poaceae Thymeleaceae
Asteraceae Geraniaceae Polygonaceae
Fabaceae Crassulaceae Amaranthaceae
Malvaceae Amaranthaceae Casuarinaceae
Lamiaceae Rosaceae Portulacaceae
Solanaceae Euphorbiaceae Dilleniaceae
Information required on herbarium specimen labels
Herbarium specimen labels should show:
1. Full species name with the name authority
2. Family
3. Locality description, with sufficient description for someone else to find the population
easily e.g. distance by road from a named landmark (an intersection of two roads, PO of
the nearest town)
4. Latitude and longitude of the site
5. Description of plant, especially features not easily determined from dried materials e.g.
flower colour, leaf waxiness, plant size etc.
6. Site description – topography, vegetation type and dominant species, soil type and
colour, any other distinguishing features.
7. Name of the collector, the collector’s number plus the date of collection.
References
Beard JS, Beeston GR, Harvey JM, Hopkins AJM, Shepherd DP (2013). The vegetation of Western
Australia at 1:3 000 000 scale. Explanatory note. Second edition. Conservation Science Western
Australia 9, 1-152.
Department of Conservation and Land Management (2002). A Biodiversity Audit of Western
Australia’s 53 Biogeographic Subregions in 2002. URL: https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about us/science-and-research/biological-surveys/117-a-biodiversity-audit-of-wa
Environment Australia (2104 onward). Australia’s Bioregions – maps. URL:
https://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/ibra/australias-bioregions-maps

Order | Check Discount

Tags: custom written college papers, essay custom writer service writing paper, essay writer free generator, essay writing service online free, free essay typer