Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Understanding ecosystems
Organisation
Annual Report
2012
Annual Report
2012
Contents
15
21
Understanding ecosystems
25
31
37
43
Organisation
49
Foreword
The importance of botanic gardens in general and the National Botanic Garden of Belgium in particular, is set to increase in the coming decade. Worldwide 30% of all plant species are considered endangered by extinction. This potential massive loss in biodiversity, ecosystems and the services they provide also places humans in peril. This is especially true in developing countries such as DR Congo where the Garden has strong and historical links. A solid scientific knowledge of plants is crucial to utilise the biodiversity of our planet in a sustainable and equitable way. To be fully prepared for these new challenges, the Garden initiated, in 2012, an evaluation of its current activities and is working on a new strategic plan, aligned to different programs of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in particular the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. In many aspects, 2012 was an important year for our Garden. But one event will particularly influence our future. On the 7th of December the Belgian federated entities publicly announced their agreement to transfer the Garden from federal control to the Flemish community, concluding over a decade of negotiations. In the most likely scenario, the Garden will be transferred on January 1st 2014, with respect for all collaborators and the international character of the institute and its scientific collections. It was heart-warming that the negotiations regarding the transfer were undertaken in a positive atmosphere and that several concerns of the Garden were taken seriously by the policy makers. The newly proposed structures form a good basis to further develop the scientific and touristic potential of one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. The end of institutional uncertainty is timely and safeguards a number of internationally significant collections. These are
meticulously cared for by technical, horticultural and scientific staff and studied by researchers worldwide. Throughout this Annual Report, you will discover some of the Gardens highlights of 2012. They demonstrate the Gardens exemplary pathway to better understand, document and safeguard plant and fungal diversity. You will also discover the diverse range of subjects conducted by the Gardens staff. For example, from how unicellular algae are used to monitor water quality in Belgian rivers to the attraction of the site to tourists who have the opportunity to learn about plants in their daily lives and glimpse the worlds botanical diversity on which all life depends. I trust this report will inspire the reader to visit our Garden, just beyond Europes capital, and discover its riches.
ch.1
At present the total number of plant species on our planet remains unknown. Many remain to be discovered, especially in the tropics and in certain groups like fungi and algae. This represents a serious scientific deficit, since species are the fundamental building blocks of ecosystems and knowing them is essential to our understanding of how our living planet works. Discovering, describing, naming and classifying species is at the core of our scientific research. Our taxonomists combine classic methods, such as morphology, histology and anatomy with modern techniques including scanning electron microscopy, digital imaging and DNA barcoding. The result aims to be a globally accepted, stable and scientific ordering of all life forms in a system that reflects their evolutionary origin. The taxonomic data and identification tools, such as floras, developed by our specialists are crucial for many other fields of research and for commercial purposes.
New to science
The core business of taxonomists is to describe new species to science. In 2012, the descriptions of two fungi, six lichens, 35 diatoms, and three new representatives of the Rubiaceae were published by our staff. The genus Crinipellis was revised and a monograph of African species was published in the series Fungus Flora of Tropical Africa edited by the Garden. In tropical Africa 18 species are known, two of them were recently collected and described by our staff: Crinipellis ochracea Antonn & De Kesel and Crinipellis beninensis Antonn & De Kesel, both saprotrophic and growing on twigs in the dense semi-deciduous forests of southern Benin. Five species of lichens were newly described from El Hierro, the smallest of the seven main islands of the Canary Archipelago. One of them, Trinathotrema hierrense Ertz & van den Boom, is characterised by a very rare combination of spore characters. The high number of novelties reported by our staff in 2012 indicates that the lichen diversity is exceedingly under-recorded on this island. Among the newly described diatom taxa is Tursiocola podocnemicola Wetzel, Van de Vijver & Ector, an unusual diatom living on the carapaces of freshwater turtles in the Rio Negro, Brazil. The species is the only freshwater representative of a marine genus known up to now to live exclusively on skins of larger whales. The discovery of new Rubiaceae in tropical Africa still remains a research priority for our staff: the endemic Chassalia magnificens O.Lachenaud from montane forests in DR Congo, the endangered Psychotria torrenticola O.Lachenaud & Sn from Cameroon, and Multidentia saxicola O.Lachenaud & Sn were described in 2012. A new species Craterispermum deblockianum Taedoumg & Hamon, was named after one of the specialists of the coffee family of our Garden, Petra De Block, as a tribute for her important contribution to the knowledge of the African Rubiaceae.
The freshwater turtle Podocnemis erythrocephala, type habitat for the diatom Tursiocola podocnemicola (inset picture)
Timeline
18/02-22/04
Exhibition: Animals and plants from a cold paradise
Intertwined destinies: rare plants from fens and bogs and their pollinators
Fens and bogs are home to a high diversity of plants. In Belgium the area of these habitats has been considerably reduced and fragmented, accompanied by the decline of plant species they contain. Many depend on insects for pollination and gene dispersal. But pollinators also depend on their host plants, and if habitats are fragmented, which would suffer first: plants or pollinators? This was the question posed in a collaborative research project between our Garden, Universit catholique de Louvain and Universit de Mons. The study was funded by Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique. Four rare plant species (Marsh Cinquefoil (Comarum palustre), Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) and Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)) from fens and bogs and their pollinators were studied in Plateau des Tailles and Belgian Lorraine. We have shown that in these fragmented landscapes, pollinator and pollen movements are absent between populations, even at distances less than one kilometre. Moreover, it appears that pollinator decline precedes the decline of their host plant species. The decrease in pollinators may result in disruption of pollination processes in small or isolated populations, thus accelerating genetic isolation. The long-term persistence of plant populations in bogs and fens not only requires reconnecting populations (by enlarging surfaces or by the development of biological corridors that facilitate pollinator dispersal), but also by the implementation of management measures favouring pollinator guilds.
25/03
Visit of His Serene Highness Prince Bhisadej Rajani of Thailand
6/04-15/04
Bonsai exhibition: Giant trees in your pocket
99
Timeline
19/04-20/04
Recording of scenes for the movie Lcume des jours in the Garden
Upper: pollen grains of Glechoma hederacea Lower: pollen grains of Hedyotis tetrangularis
IFBL website showing a map with the observations of Acorus calamus (697 observations)
11/05
Release of geckos in the greenhouses
12/05-28/10
Exhibition Flashed along the roadside
11 11
Timeline
18/05
First international Fascination of Plants Day
27/05
Botanical recital in collaboration with choir Helicante
13 13
ch.2
It is estimated that up to one third of plant species are currently threatened or face extinction in the wild, mainly due to habitat fragmentation and destruction, combined with climate change. Every plant has a crucial role in a healthy functioning ecosystem. Some may hold unknown treasures such as molecules with helpful medicinal properties. Therefore, the safeguarding of plant species is essential. Our research contributes to the development of tools for in situ conservation in valuable natural sites both nationally and internationally. Off-site or exsitu conservation is equally important. We collect plant material from the wild for preservation and propagation in our living collections, and in the collections of partner botanic gardens. Our seed bank holds the seeds of many rare and endangered species, thus safeguarding critical genetic variation. In combining our expertise and collections we are able to assist with the reintroduction of species in natural habitats both now and into the future.
More than 100 orchid specimens were confiscated at the Belgian borders and transferred to the Garden for conservation
Timeline
Above: some Cactaceae of the E. Van Hoofstadt collection Left: Euphorbia sakarahaensis
26/06 Visit of the Minister for the Environment, Conservation and Tourism of DR Congo, Mr. Bavon NSA MPUTU ELIMA
17 17
Pioneering study shows encouraging results for the ex situ conservation of endemic species from Katanga (DR Congo)
The Katanga Copper Belt in the DR Congo is an area consisting of hills with extremely high levels of surface copper. This provides a specialised habitat for any plant colonising the area. The Copper Belt is recognised as a hotspot for metallophyte species with more than 600 species occurring in this area of which 30 are endemic. However, the flora of metalliferous soils is threatened by mining activities. The seedbank of our Garden is responsible for the long-term conservation of collected seeds and undertakes germination tests and develops protocols. Recent results show that most species have retained their viability after two years of storage at 5% seed moisture content at -20C. This study revealed for the first time that ex situ seed banking of the Katangan copper flora is a worthwhile endeavour that forms an important element of a more comprehensive conservation strategy. The work conducted by the Garden is part of a unique conservation project, launched in 2007, by scientists from a range of institutions (i.e. University of Lige Gembloux AgroBio Tech, University of Brussels, University of Lubumbashi, National Botanic Garden of Belgium) supported by the mining company, Tenke Fungurume Mining SARL. The project combines in situ and ex situ conservation and involves seed collection and banking, ecosystem reconstruction, species translocations and protected area designation. Plants of the Copper Belt represent a valuable phytogenetic resource for re-vegetation programs, for the phyto-stabilisation and for the remediation of heavy metal pollutions.
Timeline
Wollemia nobilis, a very rare conifer originating from SE Australia, survives cold winters in the outdoor collections protected by bubble wrap
19 19
ch.3
In a world increasingly under environmental pressure, plants, ecosystems and the services they provide need to be maintained to keep the planet healthy. Amongst other things they mitigate the effects of greenhouse gasses, play an important role in the global water cycle, and help combat desertification. The work of our researchers helps us understand how ecosystems function, and how they can be described and monitored. They also investigate invasive species that influence native species. Throughout the world, in Africa as in Belgium, humankind is fully dependent on healthy ecosystems.
Understanding ecosystems
Above: Woloszynskia sp. (Dinophyta) from Lake Tanganyika Left: Demonstration of algal sampling to Congolese students of the University of Kisangani
Timeline
23 23
ch.4
Everywhere on the planet specific plant and fungi species have provided local populations with food, energy, materials for housing and tools, fibres for clothing and medicines. In many parts of the world plants remain the primary elements in fighting hunger, disease and extreme poverty. Plants also often figure in cultural expressions and religion. Nowadays cultural plant knowledge is being lost and with it the vital connections we have with plants and fungi. Our researchers record how plants and fungi are used so that this knowledge can be shared and distributed. Our scientists ability to identify plants, even from tiny or ancient remains, contributes to fields as diverse as forensic investigation and archaeology, thus constantly identifying and establishing links between plants and people.
Assisting the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain
The production and commercialisation of foods or dietary supplements composed of or containing plants is regulated by the Royal Decree of 29 August 1997. The Annex to this decree includes three lists of plants: 1) plants forbidden in foods; 2) edible mushrooms; 3) plants allowed in foods or dietary supplements. Quite often scientists of the Garden are solicited for their botanical expertise by officials of the Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment. This continued to be the case in 2012 for species found in dietary supplements. The nomenclature of cultivated plants or of plants used in medicinal or dietary supplements is often very confused but a correct identification and thus a correct name is of utmost importance for food safety issues. Our specialists updated old, traditionbased names by their modern names retrieved from botanical research papers. Current botanical nomenclature started with Linnaeus in 1753. Therefore, updating plant names is very timeconsuming, since botanical literature over a period of more than 250 years needs to be consulted.
Timeline
27 27
Green Heritage Enhancement at the University of Kisangani, Faculty of Science and Agronomy
In February 2012, the National Botanic Garden of Belgium conducted an expert mission to develop green spaces at the University of Kisanganis Faculty of Science in DR Congo. This came from a request from the Faculty Dean and supported by the Reforco Programme (CIFOR/EU/ UNIKIS). Recovery and improvement of the Facultys green spaces, and more specifically the Liwsosky Botanical Garden in the heart of the campus, will have an immediate positive impact on the quality of life of faculty students. Following the success of this initial venture, the Reforco Programme decided to place its trust in the expertise of the Garden to manage the Faculty of Sciences green heritage and enhancement of activities. The topic areas include: training in technical aspects for a plant nursery and green space management; creation of a nursery in the faculty grounds for plant cultivation; rehabilitation of the botanic garden and enhancement of its recreational, educational and environmental roles with the involvement of civil society; increasing public awareness. A leaflet on the botanic garden was written and printed in June, 2012 and future brochures are planed about the remarkable plants of the facultys botanic garden and the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the region.
Timeline
29 29
ch.5
The Garden is home to 18,000 different kinds of plant, set within 92 hectares of historical domain. It is a beautiful, diverse, green space and a source of enjoyment, wonder and inspiration tempting about 100,000 visitors per year. Using a broad spectrum of plant displays, museum artefacts, webpages, science communication tools, events, informal learning, awareness instruments and experience-based educational activities, the Garden has the potential to change peoples understanding of the importance of plants for human well-being and to emphasise the vital importance of plant conservation. Building on this understanding, the Garden can stimulate people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to act in a sustainable and responsible way.
Timeline
Inquire
Inquire is a three year project focusing on inquiry-based science education (IBSE). The National Botanic Garden of Belgium is one of the seventeen partners of this European project. Fourteen European botanic gardens along with Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Kings College London (UK) and the University of Bremen (Germany) are involved. Within the Inquire project, the Gardens educational service developed a 60 hour IBSE teacher training course. In September 2011, ten teachers and environmental educators joined a Pilot Course and all successfully graduated in the summer of 2012. In autumn 2012, an enthusiastic group of 30 participants joined us for a second course. These comprised: eleven primary and secondary school teachers; six educators (including two botanic garden guides); three pre-service teachers; and ten teacher trainers from Flemish University Colleges. Participants were trained to develop inquiry-based activities in the context of climate change and biodiversity with a strong emphasis on plants. In the coming years these skills and techniques will be passed on to the educators of tomorrow. The Inquire project creates a win-win situation for the Garden and formal education. Teachers not only become familiar with a new and challenging way of teaching, but also with the world of botanic gardens and scientific research. For our Garden it offers the opportunity to convince teachers of our educational strengths and to discuss how to optimally adapt our workshops to national school curriculum.
33 33
Le Jardin botanique de Bruxelles, 1826-1912: Reflet de la Belgique, enfant de lAfrique, Acadmie Royale de Belgique, Mmoire de la Classe des Sciences, Bruxelles, 2012
Timeline
While the tree man uses circus acrobatics, the moss woman expresses herself through techniques from the Japanese but theatre. The actors evoke the slowness of living plants but also how they move and interact with our world. Finally the visitors are invited to visit the circus camp, to sample herbal concoctions and to meet the actors and the stars of the show, the plants themselves. The performance was a success and for four consecutive nights the audience was mesmerised by this strange and fascinating hybrid between the Plant Kingdom and the magical world of circus. The show brought together theatre lovers and plant enthusiasts alike, demonstrating how collections of the Garden serve as inspiration to artists and take centre stage. To organise and communicate this unique and successful event the Garden collaborated with two cultural centres from the surrounding communities, De Zandloper from Wemmel and De Muze van Meise from Meise.
35 35
ch.6
During its long history the Garden has constantly been collecting and creating a wide range of botanical collections, living plants, books, artefacts, instruments but also buildings, glasshouses and landscapes. Many of these elements still play an active role in our current work; books and archives are consulted by researchers, historic glasshouses protect plant collections and buildings and landscapes are visited and enjoyed by our visitors. This extensive patrimony requires constant specialised care and upkeep and is an irreplaceable source to develop innovative approaches to better fulfill the mission of the Garden in a changing world.
Linnaeus Link Union Catalogue: an international online resource and bibliography devoted to the works of Carl Linnaeus and his students
The Linnaeus Link Project is an international collaboration between libraries with significant holdings of Linnaean material. The library of our Garden maintains a large and notable range of material. Encoding the collection of the Garden and making it available to the LLUC was a large job made possible thanks to the recruitment of a cataloguer for a few months. This culminated in the integration of over 500 of the 3,500 searchable records in the online catalogue. This reinforces the presence of the Gardens library collections on the web via www.linnaeuslink.org. The online catalogue currently includes information from 15 institutions around the world holding Linnaean material and allows a direct link to the catalogue to the different institutions. Its records include detailed bibliographic descriptions, with information on provenance and bindings. Descriptions of annotations and drawings help show the spread of Linnaeus ideas over time and also comprise of valuable new knowledge on insertions, such as printed material, dried plants and manuscript material. An updated version of the catalogue based on a platform which uses the latest technology was launched in 2012 at the Partners meeting which took place in our Garden in October. The catalogue is funded, maintained and coordinated by The Linnean Society of London.
Timeline
The National Botanic Garden of Belgium, partner in the European OpenUp! Project
European natural history collections comprise an estimated 1.5 billion objects from around the world. They cover most species described worldwide. Many are of great significance as they were collected during historic expeditions and scientific endeavours by well-known explorers and scientists such as Darwin, Linnaeus, Humboldt, and Stanley. The OpenUp! initiative aims to make these treasures available to the general public for the first time through EUROPEANA. This resource is valuable to scientists and policy makers who are able to use information for the understanding and protection of global biodiversity. This project will make available over one million high quality images, movies, animal sound files, and natural history artwork from 23 institutions from 12 European countries. Our institution has invested both time and material in providing over 50,000 high-resolution images. These cover many nomenclatural type specimens housed in our herbarium. These originate from Africa, South America and Europe. As part of the larger Global Plant Initiative (GPI) project, the number of specimens available to the EUROPEANA network will increase in number and continue to grow over the coming years. Scientists carefully select herbarium specimens to be scanned; this is followed by technical staff responsible for scanning and
Scan of the Holotype of Coffea charrieriana, a new caffeine-free coffee species in the rain forest of Cameroon
capturing the data in the central database before information is displayed on the Virtual Herbarium. Our IT team has implemented the software BioCASE to connect our image collection to the EUROPEANA network. The project started in March 2011 and will continue until February 2014. http://open-up.eu www.europeana.eu
Type specimen of Coccocypselum cordifolium collected by Wied in December 1816 in Ilheos (Brasil)
39 39
Situated just outside of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, the herbarium of Lwiro contains a unique collection of herbarium specimens of the surrounding vegetation
Timeline
Above: Releasing geckos in the Mabundu glasshouse, assisted by Flemish Brabant provincial deputy Jean-Pol Olbrechts Below: A male Gekko gecko or Tokeh in our Mabundu House
41 41
ch.7
Our Garden is an ever-changing organisation with about 180 members of staff, 70 volunteers and 20 guides. The domain, which covers 92 hectares, houses about 50 buildings where people work, meet and preserve plant collections. One of the challenges will be to prepare our Garden for transition. Indeed, it is absolutely essential that the Garden becomes less dependent on fossil fuels and reduces its environmental impact. Numerous responses will have to be developed on all levels of the Garden.
Organisation
Timeline
New boilers guarantee rare plant survival and reduce carbon footprint
The National Botanic Garden of Belgium boasts an enormous central heating system to heat the tropical and sub-tropical glasshouses and the numerous buildings. Technical Services ensures the daily maintenance and continuous service of this system to safeguard many threatened plant species that would otherwise perish in our Belgian climate. 2012 was a special year for the technicians maintaining the central heating system. Working with the Federal Buildings Agency, two of our four boilers were replaced. These boilers were more than 25 years old and were deemed unreliable. The new boilers weighed eight tons a piece and would give a total capacity of 7MW. The boilers were installed during summer with successful trials during autumn. This project ensures the survival of our invaluable plant collections and reduces our energy demand as the new boilers use around 10% less fuel, thus ensuring a further reduction of our carbon footprint.
45 45
A large amount of obsolete computers and other electronics ready for transport and recycling
Timeline
07/12 Official announcement of the transfer of the Garden to the Flemish Community
47 47
ch.8
Finances
In 2012, the funding system for the National Botanic Garden of Belgium changed. The Legal Personality of the Garden received two donations from the Federal Government, one to cover the operational expenses, energy needs and equipment and one to cover investments in buildings and greenhouses. The budget for the personnel paid by the state remained central.
Operational expenses
12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 2010 2011 2012 Budget Expenses
2010 External projects Bookshop Sales publications Ticket sales Hire and sales Service performance Other income Total income 696 99 24 223 55 41 34 1,170
1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 2010 2011 2012
800 700
les
op
ce
cts
ns
les
rm
ok
at
pr
et
lic
ick
Bo
an
fo
er
in
600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Sta paid on LP Sta paid on external projects Sta bookshop and entrance Other costs bookshop
sh
oje
io
sa
sa
an
al
pu b
pe r
ire
te rn
Ex
les
Se rv
Sa
ice
th
co
51
Staff breakdown per language (situation on the 1st of January of each year)
The Garden, situated in Flanders, has about 80% Dutch speaking and 20% French speaking employees. This situation has been more or less stable for over forty years.
2010
st
Personnel
Staff breakdown (situation on the 1 of January of each year)
The number of staff members (including replacement contracts) remains more or less stable. In 2012 a fair number of employees became statutory employees.
2010 Statutory scientists Statutory non-scientists Contractual scientists Contractual non-scientists Total
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Statutory scientists Statutory non-scientists Contractual scientists Contractual non-scientists 2010 2011 2012
38 145 5 188
160 140
2011 16 66 18 79 179
2012 14 85 16 70 185
17 71 15 85 188
Male 3 19 18 18 13 19 9 12 3 114
Total 4 33 29 31 24 29 15 17 3 185
1 14 11 13 11 10 6 5 0 71
Volunteers
In 2012, the number of volunteers dropped, mainly because recruitment of new volunteers was halted temporarily. It is expected that the number of volunteers will increase again in 2013. Volunteers contribute to all kind of activities in the Garden and their work is much appreciated by the personnel and the visitors.
2010 Number FTE
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2010 2011 2012
2011 80 6
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
2012 70 5
66 5
20000 10000 0
Number FTE
2009
2010
2011
Visitors
Total number of visits
In 2012 there was a decline of 20% in the total number of visits compared to 2011. The main reason for this fallback is the absence of a flowering Titan Arum in the past year and the bad weather in March and April. There were also no main realisations in the Garden to communicate. This decline in number is present in all different visitor categories from free visitors to Year Card holders.
2010 Total number of visits
120000 110000 100000 90000 80000 70000 60000 50000 2010 2011 2012 Total number of visits
2011 110,909
2012 88,612
94,218
Compared to 2000, the start of standardised measurements with the present system, 2012 still represents a 48% rise in number of visits. It is clear however that with the present means the Garden has reached a plateau in visitor numbers.
200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Evolution of number of visits in % from 2000
12 20 11 20 10 20 09 20 08 20 07 20 06 20 05 20 04 20 03 20 02 20 01 20 00 20
53
od ul e
Fr ee vis it
uid ed
Am
BA M
Sc h
oo lw
or ks ho p
vis it
2011 6,655
2012 4,729
5,958
Currently, 2,640 people subscribe to our digital newsletter sent out seasonally in Dutch and French.
2010 Musa subscriptions
3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2010 2011 2012
2011 2,515
2012 2,640
2,108
The Gardens Facebook page was a success. 70 messages were posted in Dutch and French. The number of views (audience) and vitality (sharing posts) rose compared to the previous year. Posts were more successful when beautiful images of the park and its plants were shown. In 2012, there were 746,963 website consultations. These came from 245,106 different computers from 117 countries. Of these, the main ones included: Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Finally, in 2012 the Gardens floristic publication Dumortiera went digital. This currently has 643 subscriptions.
Collections
Living Plant Collection
The Living Plant Collection currently includes 24,959 accessions representing 340 families, 3,006 genera, 16,642 taxa or 12,442 plant species. They are distributed between the greenhouses (56%) and the oudoor collections (44%). Most-represented plant families in the greenhouses are Cactaceae (2,404 accessions), Orchidaceae (1,823), Euphorbiaceae (937), Liliaceae (893), Rubiaceae (572), Crassulaceae (486), Araceae (475) and Agavaceae (424). In the outdoor collections, the well-represented plant families are Rosaceae (757 accessions), Ericaceae (571), Liliaceae (490), Malaceae (450) and Asteraceae (437).
2012
55
2011 69
2012 86
278
2011 3,633
2012 3,734
2,664
2011 105
2012 240
2,205
Number of individuals
2010
2011
2012
2011 18
2012 12
30
2011 1,889
2012 1,664
1,370
Number of conscations
Mounting of specimens
The mounting of specimens is an important and timeconsuming step that allows plant collections to be conserved in the long-term. In 2012, the number of mounted specimens was back to its normal level of about 18,000 mounted specimens. Unlike 2010 and 2011, no additional personnel could be employed at the end of the year to speed up the work.
2010 Mounted specimens BT Mounted specimens SP Total
40000 35000 30000 25000 Mounted specimens SP Mounted specimens BT
24%
Wild Beans
2500 2000 1500 2011 1000 500 0 Belgian Flora Copper Flora Wild Beans
30000 20000 10000 0 2010 2011 2012
BT SP Total
60000 50000 40000
2012
SP BT
57
Library Database
The number of records in our library database is growing steadily. The entire catalogue contains now more than 120,000 records and is published on-line.
2010 Articles Collections Correspondence Monographs Valuables Journals Total
60000 50000
10000
40000
2010
8000
2011 2012
6000
cti
co
lle
2000
0 incoming exchange incoming gift incoming loan outgoing exchange outgoing gift outgoing loan
Library acquisitions
The number of new library acquisitions dropped significantly in 2012. This has three main reasons. The first is related with the budget available for buying new monographs, which was limited because of the high energy costs. The second is due to the fact that in 2012 contrary to 2010 and 2011, only a few books were donated to the library. The third reason is that more and more journals are becoming on-line journals only.
2010 Monographs Periodical fascicles
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Monographs Periodical fascicles
co rre
2011 504 49
jou
rn
4000
sp on da nc
on og ra ph s
va lua ble s
ar tic les
on
als
2012 457 61
494 58
2,238 3,000
Research
Number of publications
The number of scientific contributions by members of the staff further increased. The number of poster and oral presentations almost tripled, whereas the number of published manuscripts and books decreased.
120 100
1
80 2010 60 40 20 0 Manuscripts and book chapters Abstracts of posters or presentations Other publications (reports, book reviews,) 2011 2012
Total 64 114 83
34 47 30
Rejected 10 9.4
Accepted 10 9.4
In review 32 30.2
Total 106
2012 %
54 50.9
32
Unsubmitted
54
Rejected Accepted
10 10
In review
59
Papers published in 2012 in international peer-reviewed journals (co-)authored by staff of the garden
Antonn V. & De Kesel A. (2012) Crinipellis beninensis (Basidiomycota, Marasmiaceae), a new species from Benin (tropical Africa). Czech Mycology 64(2): 175180. Arcadia L. & Ertz D. (2012) Proposal to conserve the name Lichen vulgatus (Opegrapha vulgata) (lichenized Ascomycota) with a conserved type. Taxon 61: 462-464. (IF 2.703) Besse-Lototskaya A., Verdonschot P.M., Coste M. & Van de Vijver B. (2012) A new perspective for phytobenthos in the European Water Framework Directive. Letter to the editor. Ecological Indicators 18: 705-708. (IF 2.695) Blanco S., Van de Vijver B., Vinocur A., Mataloni G., Gom J., Novais M.H. & Ector L. (2012) Hippodonta lange-bertalotii Van de Vijver, Mataloni & Vinocur sp. nov. and related smallcelled Hippodonta taxa. Nova Hedwigia Beihefte 141: 39-52. Champluvier D. & Darbyshire I. (2012) Schaueriopsis: a new genus of Acanthaceae (Acanthoideae: Barlerieae) from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Plant Ecology and Evolution 145: 279-284. (IF 1,167) Chen J., Zhao R.L., Karunarathna S.C., Callac P., Rasp O., Bahkali A.H. & Hyde K.D. (2012) Agaricus megalosporus: A new species in section Minores. Cryptogamie, Mycologie 33: 145-155. (IF 0.754) Chown S.L., Huiskes A.H.L., Gremmen N.J.M., Lee J.E., Terauds A., Crosbie K., Frenot Y., Hughes K.A., Imura S., Kiefer K., Lebouvier M., Raymond B., Tsujimoto M., Ware C., Van de Vijver B. & Bergstrom D.M. (2012) Continentwide risk assessment for the establishment of non-indigenous species in Antarctica. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Biological Science 109,13: 4938-4943. (IF 9.681) Cocquyt C., de Haan M., Jahn R. & Friedel H. (2012) Nitzschia epiphytica, N. epiphyticoides, and N. pseudepiphytica (Bacillariophyta), three small diatoms from East and Central Africa. Phycologia 51,2: 126-134. (IF 2.000) De Bie T., De Meester L., Brendonck L., Martens K., Goddeeris B., Ercken D., Hampel H., Denys L., Vanhecke L., Van der Gucht K., Van Wichelen J., Vyverman W. & Declerck S.A.J. (2012) Body size and dispersal mode as key traits determining metacommunity structure of aquatic organisms. Ecology Letters 15,7: 740-747, July 2012, article first published on line: 15.05.2012. (IF 17.557) De Kesel A., Guelly A.K. & Abalo-Loko S. (2012) Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) from Togo. MycoAfrica 4(3):1-5. Ertz D. & van den Boom P. (2012) Plectocarpon dirinariae (Arthoniales), a new lichenicolous species from Cape Verde. Lichenologist 44: 591-593. (IF 1.195) Faucon M.-P., Muding Tshilong B., Van Rossum F., Meerts P., Decocq G. & Mahy G. (2012) Ecology and hybridization potential of two sympatric metallophytes, the narrow endemic Crepidorhopalon perennis (Linderniaceae) and its more widespread congener C. tenuis. Biotropica 44: 454-462. (IF 2.229)
Fernndez-Carazo R., Namsaraev Z., Mano M.-J., Ertz D. & Wilmotte A. (2012) Cyanobacterial diversity for an anthropogenic impact assessment in the Sr Rondane Mountains area, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 24: 229-242. (IF 1.556) Kopalov K., Vesel J., Elster J., Nedbalov L., Komrek J. & Van de Vijver B. (2012) Benthic diatoms (Bacillariophyta) from seepages and streams on James Ross Island (NW Weddell Sea, Antarctica). Plant Ecology and Evolution 145: 190-208. (IF 1.167) Lachenaud O. & Sn O. (2012) Un nouveau Multidentia (Rubiaceae) dAfrique centrale. Plant Ecology and Evolution 145: 138-141. (IF 1,167) Lawrey J.D., Diederich P., Nelsen M.P., Freebury C., Van den Broeck D., Sikaroodi M. & Ertz D. (2012) Phylogenetic placement of lichenicolous Phoma species in the Phaeosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). Fungal Diversity 55,1: 195-213. (IF 4.769) Lemaire B., Janssens S., Smets E. & Dessein S. (2012) Endosymbiont transmission mode in bacterial leaf nodulation as revealed by a population genetic study of Psychotria leptophylla. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 781: 284-287. (IF 3.829) Lemaire B., Lachenaud O., Persson C., Smets E. & Dessein S. (2012) Screening for leaf-associated endophytes in the genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae). FEMS Microbiology Ecology 80: 364-372. (IF 3.408) Lemaire B., Van Oevelen S., De Block P., Verstraete B., Smets E., Prinsen E. & Dessein S. (2012, published ahead of print March 2011, doi:10.1099/ijs.0.028019-0) Identification of the bacterial endosymbionts in leaf nodules of Pavetta (Rubiaceae). International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 62: 202-209. (IF 2.268) Lus A.T., Novais M.H., Van de Vijver B., Almeida S.F.P., Ferreira da Silva E., Hoffmann L. & Ector L. (2012) Pinnularia aljustrelica sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a new diatom species found in acidic waters in the Aljustrel mining area (Portugal) and further observations on the taxonomy and ecology of P. acidophila Hofmann et Krammer and P. acoricola Hustedt. Fottea 12: 27-40. (IF 1.327) Mayer C., Van Rossum F. & Jacquemart A.-L. (2012) Evaluating pollen flow indicators for an insect-pollinated plant species. Basic and Applied Ecology 13: 690-697. (IF 2.669) Ndayishimiye J., Greve M., Stoffelen P., Bigendako M.J., de Cannire C., Svenning J.C. & Bogaert J. (2012) Modelling the spatial distribution of endemic Caesalpinioideae in Central Africa, a contribution to the evaluation of actual protected areas in the region. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation 4,3: 118-129. Ricotta C., Bacaro G., Marignani M., Godefroid S. & Mazzoleni S. (2012) Computing diversity from dated phylogenies and taxonomic hierarchies: does it make a difference to the conclusions? Oecologia 170: 501-506. (IF 3.412) Ricotta C., Heatfield D., Godefroid S. & Mazzoleni S. (2012) The effects of habitat filtering on the phylogenetic structure
of the urban flora of Brussels (Belgium). Community Ecology 13: 97-101. (IF 1.679) Riaux-Gobin C., Compre P., Al-Handal A.Y. & Straub F. (2012) SEM survey of some small-sized Planothidium (Bacillariophyta) from coral sands off Mascarenes (Western Indian Ocean). Nova Hedwigia Beihefte 141: 295-314. Ronse A. & Braithwaite M. (2012) Seed for growing under trees: the source of wood lawn neophytes in the parkland of Scottish mansion houses. New Journal Botany 2,2: 149-154. Somme L., Raabov J., Jacquemart A.-L. & Rasp O. (2012) Development and multiplexing of microsatellite markers using pyrosequencing in the clonal plant Comarum palustre (Rosaceae). Molecular Ecology Resources 12: 91-97. (IF 3.062) Sonk B., Taedoumg H. & Robbrecht E. (2012) A reconsideration of the Lower Guinean species of Sericanthe (Rubiaceae, Coffeeae), with four new species from Cameroon and Gabon. Botanical journal of the Linnean Society 169,3: 530-554. (IF 2.821) van den Boom P.P.G. & Ertz D. (2012) Lichens and lichenicolous fungi from El Hierro (Canary Islands), a survey, including five new species. Cryptogamie, Mycologie 33: 59-97. (IF 0.754) Van de Vijver B. (2012) Aulacoseira principissa sp. nov., a new centric diatom species from the sub-Antarctic region. Phytotaxa 52: 33-42. (IF 1.797) Van de Vijver B., Chattov B., Metzeltin D. & Lebouvier M. (2012) The genus Pinnularia (Bacillariophyta) on Ile Amsterdam (TAAF, Southern Indian Ocean). Nova Hedwigia Beihefte 141: 201-236. Van de Vijver B., Ector L. & Cox E.J. (2012) Ultrastructure of Diatomella balfouriana with a discussion of septum-like structures in diatom genera. Diatom Research 27: 213-221. (IF 0.656) Van de Vijver B., Jarlman A., de Haan M. & Ector L. (2012) New and interesting diatom species (Bacillariophyceae) from Swedish rivers. Nova Hedwigia Beihefte 144: 237-255. Van de Vijver B., Tavernier I., Kellogg T.B., Gibson J.A., Verleyen E., Vyverman W. & Sabbe K. (2012) Revision of the Antarctic diatom species (Bacillariophyta) described by West & West (1911) with the description of two new species. Fottea 12: 149-169. (IF 1.327) Van de Vijver B., Verweij G.L., van der Wal J. & Mertens A. (2012) Encyonopsis neerlandica, a new freshwater diatom species (Bacillariophyta) from moorlandpools in The Netherlands. Phytotaxa 66: 43-48. (IF 1.797) Van Landuyt W., Vanhecke L. & Brosens D. (2012) Florabank1: a grid-based database on vascular plant distribution in the northern part of Belgium (Flanders and the Brussels Capital region). PhytoKeys 12: 59-67. Van Rossum F. & Triest L. (2012) Stepping-stone populations in linear landscape elements increase pollen dispersal between urban forest fragments. Plant Ecology and Evolution 145: 332-340. (IF 1.167) Van Rossum F., Vereecken N.J., Brdat E. & Michez D. (2012) Pollen dispersal and fruit production in Vaccinium oxycoccos, and comparison with its sympatric congener V. uliginosum.
Plant Biology, published online. doi:10.1111/j.14388677.2012.00646.x. (IF 2.395) Verloove F. (2012) Notes on some Cyperaceae from Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). Webbia 67,1: 93-99. Verloove F. (2012) New combinations in Cenchrus (Paniceae, Poaceae) in Europe and the Mediterranean area. Willdenowia 42: 77-78. Verloove F. (2012) Cenchrus echinatus. In: Greuter W. & Raus Th. (eds.), Med-Checklist Notulae, 31. Willdenowia 42: 293. Verloove F. & Snchez Gulln E. (2012) A taxonomic revision of non-native Cenchrus s.str. (Paniceae, Poaceae) in the Mediterranean area. Willdenowia 42: 67-75. Verloove F. & Snchez Gulln E. (2012) New records of interesting vascular plants (mainly xenophytes). Flora Mediterranea 22: 5-24. Wetzel C.E., Van de Vijver B., Cox E.J., Bicudo D. & Ector L. (2012) Tursiocola podocnemicola sp. nov., a new epizoic freshwater diatom species from the Amazon basin (Rio Negro, Brazil). Diatom Research 27: 1-8. (IF 0.656) Zhao R.L., Hyde K.D, Desjardin D.E., Rasp O., Soytong K., Guinberteau J., Karunarathna S.C. & Callac P. (2012) Agaricus flocculosipes sp. nov., a new potentially cultivatable species from the palaeotropics. Mycoscience 53: 300-311. (IF 1.212) Zidarova R., Kopalov K. & Van de Vijver B. (2012) The genus Pinnularia (Bacillariophyta) excluding the section Distantes on Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands) with the description of twelve new taxa. Phytotaxa 44: 11-37. (IF 1.797)
Papers published in 2012 in national or non peer-reviewed journals (co-)authored by staff of the garden
Bamps P. & Champluvier D. (2012) Leptoderris burudiensis Bamps & Champl. (Leguminosae - Papilionioideae - Millettieae), espce nouvelle de la dorsale Congo-Nil en rpublique dmocratique du Congo, au Rwanda et au Burundi. Lejeunia Nouv. Sr. 190: 8 p. Bnichou L., Martens K., Higley G., Grard I., Dessein S., Duin D. & Costello M.J. (2012) European Journal of Taxonomy: A public collaborative project in Open Access scholarly communication. Scholarly and Research Communication 4,1: 16 p. De Kesel A. & Gertsmans C. (2012) Distolomyces forficulae (Laboulbeniales), a common parasite on Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera). Sterbeeckia 31: 43-44. De Kesel A. & Haelewaters D. (2012) Belgian records of Laboulbeniales from aquatic insects (2) Chitonomyces aculeifer. Sterbeeckia 31: 16-18. De Meyere D. (2012) Een dendrologische reis door de bergen van Taiwan. In: Jaarboek van de Belgische Dendrologische Vereniging / Annales de la Socit Belge de Dendrologie 2011: 9-40.
61
De Meyere D. (2012) Dendrologische notities: Nationale Plantentuin, Meise. In: Jaarboek van de Belgische Dendrologische Vereniging / Annales de la Socit Belge de Dendrologie 2011: 88-91. Derboven P., Fraiture A., Ghyselinck D. & Mertens C. (2012) Une excursion printanire des plus intressantes. Bulletin de lAssociation des Mycologues Francophones de Belgique 5: 5-12. De Rycke A., Van Landuyt W. & Hoste I. (2012) Mediterrane brandnetels in Gent: Urtica pilulifera en Urtica membranacea. Dumortiera 100: 29-32. Diederich, P., Ertz D., Eichler M., Cezanne R., van den Boom P., Fischer E., Killmann D., Van den Broeck D. & Srusiaux E. (2012) New or interesting lichens and lichenicolous fungi from Belgium, Luxembourg and northern France. XIV. Bulletin de la Socit des Naturalistes Luxembourgeois 113: 95-115. Fabri R. (2012) Lawalre, Andr, Gilles, Clestin, botaniste, chef de dpartement au Jardin botanique national de Belgique, matre de confrences lUniversit catholique de Louvain, n Terwagne le 2 fvrier 1921, dcd Uccle (Bruxelles) le 18 avril 2005. Nouvelle Biographie Nationale 11: 246-248. Fraiture A. & Ertz D. (2012) Observation Vilvorde (Belgique) de Panaeolus papilionaceus var. capitatocystis. Natura Mosana 65,1: 1-4. Geerinck D. (2012) Contribution la Flore dAfrique centrale: Colchicaceae et Flagellariaceae. Taxonomania 33: 1-8. Geerinck D. (2012) Catalogue raisonn des Orchidaceae du Congo-Kinshasa: Cl dichotomique des espces de la Rgion Guino-congolaise. Taxonomania 33: 8 -30. Haelewaters D., Nuytinck J. & De Kesel A. (2012) Laboulbeniales in Nederland: een introductie. Natuurhistorisch Maandblad 101(5): 88-93. Haelewaters D., van Wielink P., van Zuijlen J.W., Verbeken A. & De Kesel A. (2012). New records of Laboulbeniales (Fungi, Ascomycota) for The Netherlands. Entomologische Berichten 72 (3): 175-183. Hoste I. (2012) Een sleutel voor het genus Oxalis in Belgi, met commentaar bij de waargenomen soorten. Dumortiera 101: 9-22. [http://www.br.fgov.be/DUMORTIERA/ DUM_101/Dum%20101_9-22_Oxalis_Hoste.pdf ] Ronse A. (2012) Drie nieuwe groeiplaatsen van Mentha pulegium (polei) in Vlaanderen. Dumortiera 100: 16-18. Ronse A. & Steeman R. (2012) Excursieverslag: Exoten in C6 (Lommel-Mol). Streepzaad Digitaal 8: 5-7. Stieperaere H. (2012) De mossen van het Kempens gedeelte van Vlaanderen, het armste en zuurste gedeelte van het Vlaams district. 1 Inleiding & 2 De mossen van het Maldegemveld. Muscillanea 32: 22-35. Van den Broeck D. (2012) Een lichenologische excursie naar de Molsbergen te Lokeren, 25 februari 2012. Muscillanea 32: 17-18. Van den Broeck D. (2012) Driemaal het natuurreservaat De Maten in de provincie Limburg. Muscillanea 32: 19-21. Van den Broeck D. (2012) Twee korstmossen met een Trentepohlia-photobiont nieuw gevonden in Vlaanderen
(Belgi). Dumortiera 101: 50. http://www.br.fgov.be/ D U M O RT I E R A / D U M _ 1 0 1 / D u m % 2 0 1 0 1 _ 5 0 _ Trentepohlia_photobiont_VDBroeck.pdf Van den Broeck D., Ertz D. & Diederich P. (2012) Lichenologisch verslag van de driedaagse in de vallei van de Ourthe (Provincie Luxembourg, Belgi) in september 2010. Muscillanea 2: 10-16. Vanderweyen A. (2012) Quelques notions sur les rouilles (I). Bulletin de lAssociation des Mycologues francophones de Belgique 5: 13-16. Vanderweyen A. & Baugne J.-Y. (2012) Prsence de Nyssopsora echinata sur Meum athamanticum en Belgique. Dumortiera 100: 33-35 + photo en couverture. Van de Vijver B., Verweij G.L., van der Wal J. & Mertens A. (2012) Encyonopsis neerlandica, a new freshwater diatom species (Bacillariophyta) from moorlandpools in The Netherlands. Diatomededelingen 36: 57-62. Vanhecke L. (2012) Transformaties van het Scheldelandschap in Bornem: nieuwe maatschappelijke functies geven nieuwe landschappen. Dumortiera 100: 36-44. Van Rossum F., Godefroid S. & Vert P. (2012) Stabilit de la vgtation du marais de Heinsch (Lorraine belge) sur trois dcennies. Dumortiera 100: 1-8. Verloove F. (2012) Drie slecht gekende taxa van het genus Calystegia (Convolvulaceae) in Belgi. Dumortiera 100: 2529. Verloove F. (2012) A revision of Bromus section Ceratochloa (Pooideae, Poaceae) in Belgium. Dumortiera 101: 30-45. Verloove F. & Heyneman G. (2012) Merkwaardige planten collecties van twee antropogene zaadbanken in Gent (OostVlaanderen, Belgi). Dumortiera 100: 19-24.
Selection of book chapters and books published in 2012 (co-)authored by staff of the Garden
Birthlmer M. & Hierschlger M. (coll. Fabri R., Hanquart N. & al.) (2012) Biodiversity Heritage Library for Europe best practice guidelines and standards. Prague, BHL-E, 147 p. De Meyere D. (Editor in chief ) (2012) Belgische Dendrologie Belge 2011. Jaarboek van de Belgische Dendrologische Vereniging / Annales de la Socit Belge de Dendrologie. 181 p. Diagre D. (2012) Le Jardin Botanique de Bruxelles : 1826-1912 : Reflet de la Belgique, enfant de lAfrique. Acadmie Royale de Belgique Mmoire de la Classe des Sciences, Collection in-4. 4e Srie, vol. 1 : 296 p. Es K. & & Piesschaert F. (2012) Geophila D.Don, nom. cons. In: Davidse, G., Sousa S., M., Knapp, S. , Fernando C. & C. Ulloa Ulloa (eds.) Flora Mesoamericana Volumen 4 Parte 2 Rubiaceae a Verbenaceae. Universidad Nacional Autnomia de Mxico, Missouri Botanical Garden & The Natural History Museum (London), p. 100-102. Lambinon J. & Verloove F. (coll. Delvosalle L., Toussaint B., Geerinck D., Hoste I., Van Rossum F., Cornier B.,
Schumacker R., Vanderpoorten A. & Vannerom H, prf. Dessein S.) (2012) Nouvelle Flore de la Belgique, du GrandDuch de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des rgions voisines. Sixime dition. Edition du Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise, CXXXIX + 1195 p. Quintelier L., Deneef R., De Jaeck H., Wijnant J. & De Meyere D. (2012) Asse: Domein Waalborre. In M&L Cahier 20(2011), Historische tuinen en parken van Vlaanderen. Vlaamse Overheid, Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed, Brussel: p. 38-41. Sabbe K., Van de Vijver B. & Vyverman W. (eds.) (2012) Twentysecond International Diatom Symposium, Aula Academica, Ghent, 26-31 August 2012 Abstracts. VLIZ Special Publication 58, 260 p. Witkowski A., Kociolek J.P. & Compre P. (eds.) (2012) Diatom taxonomy and ecology : From local discoveries to global impacts: Festschrift in honor of prof. dr. Horst Lange-Bertalots 75th birthday. Stuttgart, J. Cramer, Beihefte zur Nova Hedwigia 141, iv, 545 p.
63
Verdickt Jozef Verdonck Carina Verissimo Pereira Nuno Verlinden Willy Verlinden Kevin Verloove Filip Vermaelen Brigitte Vermeerbergen Jochen Vermeersch Bart Versaen Ilse Versaen Franois Verschueren Alice Vleminckx Sabine Vleminckx Kevin Vloeberghen Joseph Wets Rutger Willems Stefaan Wrsten Barend Zerard Carine
Volunteers
Bailly Francine Bastin Dominique Berckx Anna-Maria Bockstael Annie Boyker Viktor Buelens Luc Cammaerts Lisette Cappeleman Ingrid Coen Marie-Laure Cornelis Geertrui De Beer Dirk De Bock Paul de Borman Sandrine De Cock Marianne De Cuyper Jef De Praetere Claude Anne De Smet Franoise De Wit Danil Dehaes Mimi Delire Sandra Demuylder Francine Devolder Christiane Devreese Renate Doutrelepont Hugues Dubois Martine Dumont Anne Marie Durant Danil Eykens Jos Fabr Lisette Fontaine Paul Gheysens Godelieve Goossens Flor Horions Christiane Houben Guido Huriaux Thierry Jessen Georgette Kelenda Bibiche Mato Keresdedjian Andre Kozloski Elisabeth Lecomte Josiane Lokadi Valre Mager Gertrud Marivoet Jos Mignolet Vinciane Minet Batrice Moesen Piet Opdenberg Mady Ray Anne Sasson Diana Scheiba Ria Schotte Marleen Semeria Claudia Shutt Richard Speeckaert Claudine Strack van Schijndel Maarten Swyncop Muril Tack Florent Thielemans Lea Thielemans Marc Valles Maria Van Asch Solange Van Bueren Gerda Van Capellen Gisle Van De Casteele Geertrui Van der Straeten Elza Van Manen Gerdine Van Rossem Maria Vanden Berge Marijke Verlinden Hugo Verstraete Simeon Verswyvel Myriam Verva Arlette Vivek Rao Vivignis Patrick Wagemans Emiel Wrsten Bart
Guides
Bailly Francine Benit Danielle De Cock Marianne De Cuyper Jef De Vriendt Francis Geernaert Inge Kozloski Elisabeth Proost Alida Silverans Michel Talloen Paul Tavernier Patrick Thielemans Katinka Van Acoleyen Roger Van den Broeck Martine Vanderherten Frank Van de Vijver Martine van Lidth Bndicte Verbist Brigitte Verschueren Frans Wayembergh Lisiane Wymeersch Miet
65
The Garden has a large herbarium housing about 4 million specimens and containing for example the largest rose herbarium of the world and important historical collections from Brazil and Central Africa. It also has a botanical library holding over 200,000 volumes, comprising publications from the 15th century till modern day.
The Garden holds a collection of about 18,000 different kinds of living plants, among which several are threatened, such as the Laurent cycad (Encephalartos laurentianus). The Garden also houses an internationally recognised seed bank including inter alia the seeds of numerous wild bean species.
Activities of our scientists to inventory and study plants, fungal and algal diversity span the globe; from Antarctica to the rainforests of Congo. The scientific work focuses on the correct and scientific identification of plant species. What are the characteristics of a species? How many species are there? How do we distinguish one species from another? Without answers to these questions no economic activity based on plants or plant derived product could function. Knowing the correct scientific name of a species is the key that unlocks all information on this species. Correctly identifying a species helps us to recognise poisonous species from related medicinal ones. It helps us to establish if a plant species is threatened by extinction and in need of protection.
On a yearly basis approximately 100,000 people visit the Garden. Most of our visitors come to explore the glasshouses and the gardens, but, of course, there is more. Our scientists fully realise the importance of sharing their knowledge, passion and enthusiasm with the public. The National Botanic Garden of Belgium has developed a range of tools to spread knowledge about plants and to raise public awareness about plant conservation. Our website www.botanicgarden.be offers an overview of current activities in the Garden.
Organisation chart
Direction
Supporting services
Section Living Plant Collections and Park Section Library and Archives Section Museology and Education
67
Photography
National Botanic Garden of Belgium Maarten Strack van Schijndel Daniel Parmentier Carlos Wetzel Michel Block National Botanic Garden of Belgium Botanical Values
Text
This report is also available in Dutch and French and can be downloaded from our website http://www.botanicgarden.be
Design
Sven Bellanger