Preserving flora diversity in the digitized herbarium collection

Vyatka State University, Kirov, 610000, Russia

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Abstract

The paper presents the results of digitations of the rare species of Tracheophyta in the herbarium collection of the Vyatka State University (Kirov, Russia). The taxonomic structure, as well as the composition by number of specimens and years of collection, were analyzed. It was found that, on the 15th of January 2025 it accounted for 62 species of three classes and 24 families, with the families Ranunculaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, and Poaceae being most fully represented in terms of the number of species listed in the Red Data Book of the Kirov Region (Russia). It has been established that Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soo', Filipendula vulgaris Moench, Empetrum nigrum L., Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br., Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, and Jurinea cyanoides (L.) Reichenb. predominate in terms of the number of samples. It is determined that the herbarium collection contains the samples of the 19th, 20th, and of the 21st centuries. A decline in the number of collected plants has been noted in the 21st century, which corresponds to the general trend of weak replenishment of herbarium collections. Thus, it is substantiated, that herbarium collection are unique archive for research in Botany and Ecology; it is of great importance in local studies, in nature management and preserving, and in education.