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. This decision reflects broader challenges in funding and prioritizing scientific resources, crucial for informed health and environmental policies.

Source: New York Times February 23, 2024 14:14 UTC