Forest Research Herbarium - National Forestry Herbarium

Chris Ecroyd

Started 1945 at Whakarewarewa, Rotorua.

Mainly a forestry herbarium.

Approx. 24,000 specimens.

Eucalypts and conifers ca 24%.

Whole collection on a computer database.

Provides information on the identity, taxonomy and ecology of plants, including weeds, significant to forestry.

Has a regional role specialising in the indigenous and adventive flora of the Bay of Plenty and central North Island.

Who depends on the Herbarium? Forestry consultants, sawmillers,

landowners (identification to allow appropriate timber use).

Land managers: DoC, local authorities.

Research groups: alternative species, biodiversity, forest health and biosecurity (hosts of pests and diseases).

Students (research, scope visits), public.

Current resourcing problems

Funding static since 1998 and currently operating at a loss to Forest Research.

No active collecting programme.

Increasing backlog of unprocessed specimens, now ca. 1500 specimens.

Database software now outdated but unable to fund up-date.

Up-date database software.

Herbarium information on web.

Extend collections of tree and shrub species present in NZ.

Develop a database of trees in New Zealand.

Long-term goals