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ABOUT THE HERBARIUM
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Mounted Specimen
boronia barkeriana
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The Janet Cosh Herbarium is a repository for plant specimens
collected from the Sydney, Illawarra, South Coast and Southern
Tablelands of New South Wales. The specimens are recorded in
a database and stored in a controlled environment. The herbarium
provides information on the taxonomy, history, distribution
and conservation of plant species within these regions. Voucher
specimens used in research are also stored in the Herbarium.
The staff are skilled in plant identification and land management.
These skills are used to teach biology and environmental science,
facilitate research and provide clients with identification
and advice on flora.
The
historical Origins of Herbaria |
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Management Committee |
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The management committee will provide advice on the strategic
direction and management of the Janet Cosh Herbarium and ensure
best practice for financial, personnel and curatorial activities.
The management committee is comprised of representatives from
the University, associated organizations, herbarium staff and
the community.
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Teaching |
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The herbarium supports a number of subjects within the Faculty
of Science.
BIOL 241 Biological Diversity: Classification and Environmental
Sampling
EESC203 Biogeography and Environmental Change
Instruction in plant identification is also provided to
staff and postgraduate students as required
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Research |
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The herbarium supports and provides resources for research
projects which are undertaken by students and staff.
These include:
• Vegetation Dynamics of the Cumberland Plain, Western
Sydney
• Investigations into the weed Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Bitou Bush)
• Flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) and human modified vegetation
• Revegetation of disturbed sites in the Sutherland Shire
• Systematics and ecology of modern Australian Charophytes
• Microsatellite analysis of genetic variation in the moss Ceratodon
purpureus
• Translocation of the Eastern Bristlebird
• Factors affecting the insectivorous bird communities in suburban habitats.
• Description of new Taxa. (Pellow, B.& Porter, J.L (2005). A new species
of Goodenia (Goodeniaceae) from Nocoleche Nature Reserve, Far Western Plains,
New South Wales, Telopea 11 (1))
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Partnerships |
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Hidden Visions Exhibition by Mary Rosengren |
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The Herbarium is collaborating with the John Ray Herbarium
and Fisher Library at the University of Sydney to revise and
provide the text 'Flora of the Sydney Region" (by Carolin & Tindale)
as an e-Flora available via the web and a print-on demand-text.
With sponsorship from the University Campus Environment Management
Committee, Buildings & Grounds and the Office for Community
and Partnership the herbarium staff have developed a Campus
Tree Walk. The walk provides staff, students and the wider community
with an opportunity to explore the local vegetation.
The Herbarium has a mutual relationship with the Faculty of
Creative Arts and has supported the following exhibitions
• 'Hidden Visions: Re-imaging Nature” by Mary
Rosengren
• 'Common Ground' Hazelhurst Gallery
• 'Illawarra Visions' Wollongong City Gallery
At Fitzroy Falls National Park the herbarium contributed to
the development of the Janet Cosh Room, by cataloguing the specimens
provided by Janet Cosh for Fitzroy Falls staff, supplementing
the collection with a range of new specimens and helping with
information to be used in the visitors centre.
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Community |
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In 2005 Jenny Simons (r) donated a collection of specimens
from Ironmines Park, Mittagong in the Southern Highlands of
NSW |
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The Herbarium is keen to pursue Janet Cosh's aim to provide
a regional herbarium for the community. Staff liaise with many
community groups, providing information, expert advice and giving
talks to interest groups. We are also capable in running courses
in plant identification and herbarium management.
Members of the Southern Highlands Australian Plant Society
work as volunteers assisting with the curation of the collection |
