Wednesday, 15 January 2025

Forthcoming Botanical Events

On Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful talk from Dr Richard Gulliver on the anniversary of Oliver Rackham's book Trees and Woodlands in the British Landscape. Amongst the notices were a couple of events for your diary:


DarwIN Shrewsbury Festival

 

“Discovering new species and relocating extinct plants”

Dr Maarten Christenhusz

Shrewsbury Unitarian Church

Saturday 8th February 3pm
Free, bookings via Eventbrite

Discovering New Species and Relocating Extinct Plants Tickets, Sat 8 Feb 2025 at 15:00 | Eventbrite

 

Full details of talk here Discovering new species and relocating extinct plants — DarwIN Shrewsbury Festival

 

Talk summary

Roughly 2300 new plant species are described each year. They are found in various ways, in the field, herbaria, genetic studies and even online. Sadly, some new species may already be extinct before they were even described.

Thousands of plant and animal species have gone extinct since humans started roaming the earth, but most plant extinctions never left a trace. This poses the problem known as Berkeley extinction: species that may once have existed but were never recorded and thus were never listed as extinct. They disappeared unnoticed. We will never know how many there were and where they grew. However, species that were recently listed as extinct may still exist. It will take some effort, but it is possible that many of these presumed extinct species may still be found somewhere. Modern technology such as satellites and drones are now being employed to scout for new and extinct species in inaccessible places.

 

With virtually everyone now carrying a camera and a GPS in their pocket, the information on species is increasing through an army of amateur and professional naturalists. This can be used to identify areas of high biodiversity, map rare species and even find new species or rediscover presumed extinct ones.


Microscopy Workshop provided by Martin Godfrey

Sunday 9th February 2025, 1030am-3.30pm Microscopy Workshop Field Studies Centre, Preston Montford, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, SY4 1DX.


Martin Godfrey will be running a workshop on microscope techniques. All microscopy kit and specimens will be provided - attendees should bring their favourite ID guides and their own lens and forceps if you have them. You are also encouraged to bring any specimens which may be puzzling them. Martin is a wonderful tutor and this is a comfortable and friendly atmosphere to develop a new skill. Please email mfgodfrey49@gmail.com to book a place on this workshop.