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Duke University's decision to close major plant collection sparks outrage
Duke University has announced the closure of its herbarium, a significant blow to biodiversity research.
In short:
- Duke University plans to shut down its herbarium, home to more than 825,000 plant, fungi, and algae specimens, due to financial constraints.
- The scientific community, including Erika Edwards from Yale Herbarium, has expressed shock and concern over the potential loss of this vital resource.
- Despite efforts to relocate the collection, no suitable home has been found, raising fears of the collection being forgotten or lost.
Key quote:
“This is such a devastating blow for biodiversity science.”
— Erika Edwards, curator of the Yale Herbarium
Why this matters:
The closure of Duke's herbarium not only impacts scientific research but also poses a significant threat to our understanding of environmental changes and biodiversity. This decision reflects broader challenges in funding and prioritizing scientific resources, crucial for informed health and environmental policies.
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