DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND CHIEF BOTANIST’S REPORT
Brett Summerell at the conservation area at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah after recent bushfires
THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BOTANICAL SCIENCE A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY BEING CONSTRUCTED AT THE AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN MOUNT ANNAN WILL BE A VITAL HUB FOR THE DIVERSE LIVING AND VIRTUAL RESOURCES OF ALL THREE BOTANIC GARDENS
T
he past six months or so have had a huge impact on the natural world, especially plants. Bushfires across millions of hectares of bushland have seen billions of trees, shrubs and other plant life go up in flames. Some plants will survive, some will be lost, and some will thrive in response to the fire. Species respond in different ways, requiring different levels of support to ensure their survival. Make no mistake, these fires that followed one of the worst droughts 14 THE GARDENS WINTER 2020
this country has experienced, have been exacerbated by climate change. These catastrophic events will become more frequent and intense, based on the consensus of scientific projections from research groups worldwide. Given
“We must a mplify ou r a ctivities to ensu re the su rvival of all pla nts”
that, we need to be pre-emptive and ready to ensure the survival of Australia’s unique plant life. This scenario, coupled with the opportunities provided by the new National Herbarium of NSW being constructed at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, highlight the national and international importance of the Botanic Gardens’ science and education programs through the establishment of the new Australian Institute of Botanical Science.
