Editorial insights

Rebecca Harcourt, Managing Editor

“Delightful scientific shade, for knowledge as for pleasure made”. This verse was quoted at the Auckland Botanic Gardens’ official opening in 1982.1 I think it is a perfect way to start an issue with the theme ‘Plant science: research in botanic gardens.’

Botanic gardens have evolved from the pleasure gardens of a wealthy few to over 3,000 institutions worldwide, with millions of visitors each year.2 In my view, they all contribute to research in the plant sciences, whether it is through raising public awareness of and enthusiasm for plants in general, to ex situ seed conservation, or investigating climate change responses.

In this issue, I chat with Emma Bodley about the research she oversees at Auckland Botanic Gardens. This includes how plants can be useful for various sustainability purposes, such as green, or living, roofs that act as a trap for rain. The cover image of this issue shows that these can be both attractive and practical. Emma also talks about how the garden is preparing for the effects of climate change on both its own plants and those of Auckland in general.

As well as a Botanical Records & Conservation Specialist at the gardens, Emma is the Chair of BCARM. In one of our feature articles, Emma interviews her colleagues to find out how they developed their plant collection guidelines, and how useful they are in helping to structure and drive the content of individual plant collections.

In another feature article, Megan Hirst from the Victorian Conservation Seedbank at The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria discusses the issues facing our fragile and beautiful alpine environments. These areas are especially important due to their role in our river systems. Megan and her colleagues are using ex situ seed conservation as a strategy to support the survival of these vulnerable alpine communities in the wild.

We had two feature garden articles submitted this issue, from Michael Elgey, Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Dr Tonia Cochran, Inala Jurassic Garden, Tasmania. We decided to include both as they showcase two quite different and unique gardens that share a common goal – to collaborate with other BGANZ members.

Sadly, there is no Hort. section this issue as the section editor, Ariana Potamianakis, has had an injury at work. Hopefully, she will be back on deck next issue. From all of us here at the Botanic Gardener, get well soon Ariana!

Finally, I’d like to share a mildly relevant cartoon I recently found that made me laugh. I hope it has the same affect on you, especially those in Victoria who are going into lockdown yet again as I write this. We’re all rooting for you (pun intended).

I’d love to hear from you with any feedback on this issue or suggestions for future themes. Please feel free to email me at managing.editor@bganz.org.au.

‘Turnip ‘n Tuck.’ From http://www.dinktoons.com/. Reprinted with permission.

1 https://www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/science/research/

2 https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ppp3.10134