Preservation for Conservation

Herbarium collections of marine macroalgae serve as a snapshot in time of what species was present, when and where. To create these presses, I carefully arranged seaweed samples on archival paper and dried them using layers of newspaper and cardboard sandwiched between wooden blocks, a botanical art form dating back centuries. For each specimen, I recorded essential notes on collection date and location, allowing us to track species’ distribution on both spatial and temporal scales. While genetic data reliably identifies collections, the physical sample not only preserves the specimen’s beauty but can also provide critical insight on morphological and anatomical features, particularly if the plant was reproductive. In my research, I examine presses such as these supplemented with genetic data to identify and describe new species within the red algal family Galaxauraceae. What were thought to be a handful of five or so species in this family, all widely distributed in tropical waters, have turned out to be upwards of 100 species, each often restricted to a smaller geographical area. Recognizing the diversity in this family is the first step to understanding where different species grow, how they survive and therefore how we can begin to conserve and protect them.