Website Fact Sheet Update
The NZPCN website fact sheets are one of the most commonly used sections of the website. Since August 2003 and funded by the Government’s TIFBIS fund the NZPCN has been populating fact sheets starting first with the threatened and uncommon vascular plants. In 2005 fact sheets for threatened bryophytes and fungi were added and collectively these have been populated with images sent in by a host of individuals including NZPCN members and other website users. The Network contracted Dr Peter J. de Lange to write most of the moss, liverwort and all of the indigenous vascular plant fact sheets. Dr Eric Mackenzie of Landcare Research was contracted to write the fungus fact sheets. This process involves collation and sorting of available information, and in some cases drawing up new descriptions – when existing information is scant, inadequate or absent.Fact sheets are now routinely proofed by website users and Network members. Over 13,000 images have also been added to the website. All of this work is done voluntarily, and at times can be painstakingly slow – especially when images are of poor quality or lacking, and new descriptions need to be drawn up.
Over the last year the Network has targeted plant groups perceived as “difficult” by many field botanists. In this case the Cyperaceae and the Poaceae - and in particular within this family, and at members specific request the so called snow tussocks (Chionochloa spp.). For most taxa in these families’ available information is of high quality but in a few cases new descriptions have had to be prepared.
Currently most fact sheets for threatened taxa are completed but fact sheets for 200 “At Risk/Range Restricted” taxa still require completion.
In preparing fact sheets the Network would like to acknowledge the considerable assistance received from Peter Heenan, Mike Thorsen, John Barkla, Phil Garnock-Jones, Mike Bayly, Pat Enright, Jeremy Rolfe, Bec Stanley, Paul Cashmore, Andrew Townsend, Leon Perrie, Barbara Parris, Brian Molloy, Henry Connor, Murray Dawson, Elizabeth Edgar, John Braggins, Matt Renner, Matt von Konrat, John Engel, David Glenny, David Norton, Allan Fife, Jessica Beever, Carlos Aedo, Neville Walsh, Hellmut Toelken, Mark Mort, Dick Brummitt, and Brian Murray. One of the strengths of the website has proved to be these fact sheets and it is fitting to acknowledge that like plant conservation management their preparation is also a team effort
Posted: 09/02/2008