Botanic Research Institute blossoms: "The work we do here is as diverse as the plants we study"
Namibia is not just renowned for its spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife, but also for its diverse flora. While their knowledge of and interest in plants may be lim"ited, most residents and visitors of Namibia's capital city are aware of the botanic garden, nestled on a hillside in close proximity of the centre of Windhoek. But few people are familiar with the work being done at the adjacent National Botanic Research Institute (NBRI) which has been custodian of the 12 hectare nature reserve since 1993.
"We have achieved a great deal since the establishment of the institute but a lot of work still remains to be done", says Dr Ezekiel Kwembeya, curator of the National Herbarium Of Namibia, which is one of six sections of the NBRI. When looking at the multitude of functions the institute is tasked with, the extent of the undertaking becomes evident. The NBRI defines its mission as "promoting the understanding, conservation and sustainable use of Namibian plants for the benefit of all". In terms of that obligation the objectives of the NBRI are mainly to collect and maintain plant material and data, conduct plant related research and provide botanical information to the general public.
While that assignment may sound relatively easy to manage, it is a lot more involved than most people imagine. "Our primary mandate of educating the nation on indigenous plants and contribute to their conservation is a very complex one", explains Kwembeya. This is evident when considering the many different activities carried out by the six departments that make up the NBRI.
As expected Kwembeya starts with the herbarium under his curatorship when naming these subdivisions and explaining their functions. Established in 1953 the herbarium houses a vast collection of dried plant specimens arranged according to a specific classification system. Its main function is to provide botanical identification services to the public and serve as a reference and research centre where taxonomists and interested laymen alike can obtain information on approximately 90.000 plant specimens stored there, amongst them over 4000 plants indigenous to Namibia.
The databank, containing information relating to specific specimens, as well as their common names and uses, not only has academic significance but very practical applications as well. "We regularly receive visits from farmers for instance, who want us to identify poisonous plants making their livestock sick", explains Kwembeya. Except for this valuable service the herbarium also conducts inventories of the indigenous flora and maintains a literature collection relevant to the taxonomy of Namibian plants. Furthermore it assists in analyzing floristic information for national development purposes and offers tours and training courses on collecting and mounting procedures upon written request.
As one of its special projects the herbarium is currently in the process of collating and analyzing data on the indigenous and naturalized plants of the country in order to create a comprehensive account of Namibia's flora. The institute is open on Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 17.00. Use of the facility is subject to prior arrangement with the curator.
Complementing the work being done at the herbarium the National Plant Genetic Resource Centre (NPGRC) is responsible for the conservation of Namibia's plant genetic resources. Similar to a financial institution storing money, the gene bank conserves genetic resources of indigenous, wild, cultivated and introduced plant species occurring in Namibia and multiplies or regenerates accessions in its collection. It further carries out research on Namibian plant genetic resources and endeavours to promote their utilisation.
"In the same way that human beings are genetically different, plants within a species are too", explains Kwembeya and continues: "This genetic diversity forms the basis of plant breeding and crop improvement programmes where for instance traits like drought resistance can be transferred from wild species to cultivated ones."
The gene bank collects, processes and stores plant genetic material in the form of seeds thereby conserving local plant genetic resources. The seeds are cleaned, dried, sealed in air-tight foil packets and stored in deep freezers at -20 degrees Celsius. This form of conservation is important in light of the fact, that many indigenous species like devil's claw are being threatened by various factors like habitat destruction and over-harvesting, causing a loss in genetic diversity.
Kwembeya describes the undertaking of collecting seed samples for the over 4000 indigenous plants occurring in Namibia as a "huge task". Considering the time involved in gathering the samples the NPGRC prioritises the accumulation of seeds according to species that are used for crop production like Sorghum and Mahango, as well as species with actual or potential use and species that are threatened with extinction. Currently the gene bank stores over 2000 accessions representing 250 species of crop, among them Mahangu, Sorghum, ground nuts, pumpkin and watermelon.
Staff members of the NPGRC periodically test the samples to determine if they are still viable. Small samples of seed can be dispatched to researchers or plant breeders but the gene bank is not in a position to supply seeds in bulk. The gene bank should thus not be seen as "a substitute for the conservation of species in their natural habitat", as Kwembeya stresses.
To assist in the effort of conservation, the NPGRC maintains a project to support the protection of endangered plants in the country. With this aim in mind the department has commenced with the identification of threatened plant species at their site of occurrence. By compiling and publishing such an illustrated Red Data List the NPGRC hopes to increase awareness among Namibians for the appearance and locality of rare plants and encourage the population to protect these plants.
Adding to that work the Vegetation Ecology Unit, being the third of six segments within the NBRI, aims to provide vegetation data to users and to monitor vegetation changes caused by climate change and land use practices. Using aerial photos and satellite images as well as geological and topographical maps and conducting extensive field work, the unit strives to compile a comprehensive inventory detailing the soils, climate and vegetation occurring in different parts of the country. This information is vital for land use planning as well as farming purposes and can be used as a reference when monitoring long-term changes in vegetation dynamics.
"Contrary to popular belief, the study of plants and their habitat is not just a hobby but a scientific pursuit that has very practical and important applications", stresses Kwembeya, referring amongst others to the relevance of data collected as a tool for land use planning. The same developmental significance applies to the work conducted by the fourth directorate connected to the NBRI, being the one responsible for Plant Product Development (PPD).
"There are many plants and fruit like Hoodia, Devil's Claw and Marula occurring in Namibia that are well known for their medicinal properties or which are being used in the production of cosmetics, essential oils, flavouring agents and beverages", explains Kwembeya and adds: "In addition many veld products are used as a food resource or as raw material for carving, weaving and construction as well as fuel for heating and cooking."
Given this importance attached to Namibia's flora as a natural resource and source of income for the rural population, the NBRI has created the division for plant product development to assist in conducting research and collect information (including traditional knowledge) on useful indigenous plants. Using that insight the PPD endeavours to promote the sustainable development of widely utilized botanical products and thereby contribute to income generation amongst rural communities.
One way of achieving this is by negotiating bilateral agreements in the area of plant product development and by promoting the commercial use of indigenous flora. The PPD is also involved in assessing the feasibility of promoting particular plant products and in coordinating such efforts. These efforts are specifically geared towards communal farmers and conservancies who are encouraged to cultivate succulents like Hoodia, which are in high demand for their supposed appetite suppressing properties.
By providing seed and advice on propagating succulents to identified partners the PPD was instrumental in establishing non traditional crops like Hoodia as a commercial product while simultaneously contributing to the conservation of succulent flora through cultivation. In addition the PPD, under the curatorship of Steve Carr, was a major driving force in marketing botanic products generated through the Succulent Cultivation Project and as such contributed substantially to skills transfer and income generation in rural areas.
Although the SCP has ceased most activities due to a lack of funding, the legacy of the programme endures through organisations like the Hoodia Working Group (HWG) and the Hoodia Growers'Association of Namibia (Hogran). The PPD continues to support these two groupings and maintains seedling populations at the National Botanic Garden. This is done in order to provide plant material of targeted species for screening to identify any active ingredients for application in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
While the scientific work being done at the NBRI is the most important for the 26 permanent and 6 associated staff members employed there, the institution endeavours above all else to be a facility where members of the public can meet and collect information. Except for regular guided walks at the National Botanic Garden (being the fifth of the six sections of the NBRI) the institution attempts to involve the public through regular presentations focusing on plant related issues and through the popular open day, held every 18 month at the NBRI.
Except for the regular `walks and talks` as they are fondly referred to by staff members, the most widely used source of information at the institute is the M.A.N. Müller Reference Library, the final of the six branches of the institute. The facility contains a large number of botanical books covering a vast array of specialized topics ranging from medicinal plants, trees and shrubs to ecology, conservation, biotechnology, succulents, gardening, agronomy and genetic resources. Furthermore the facility contains a periodical collection of various journals as well as a slide collection featuring photographs of flowers, leaves, fruits and the habitat supporting these plants. The library not only serves as a reference centre for staff of the NBRI when conducting research for lectures or publications and is open to all interested members of the public from Monday to Friday.
It is the growing public interest in the work of the NBRI and the interaction with visitors that provides the biggest job satisfaction to Kwembeya who has been the curator of the Herbarium since 2005. "Of course the scientific research is fulfilling, because the work we do here is as diverse as the plants we study", he says. Then after a short pause he declares in closing: "But being able to offer advice and provide information to people sharing my love for botany is even more rewarding."
National Botanic Research Institute
Private Bag 13184,
8 Orban Street, Windhoek
Tel: (061) 2029111
Fax: (061) 258153
E-mail: [email protected]
"We have achieved a great deal since the establishment of the institute but a lot of work still remains to be done", says Dr Ezekiel Kwembeya, curator of the National Herbarium Of Namibia, which is one of six sections of the NBRI. When looking at the multitude of functions the institute is tasked with, the extent of the undertaking becomes evident. The NBRI defines its mission as "promoting the understanding, conservation and sustainable use of Namibian plants for the benefit of all". In terms of that obligation the objectives of the NBRI are mainly to collect and maintain plant material and data, conduct plant related research and provide botanical information to the general public.
While that assignment may sound relatively easy to manage, it is a lot more involved than most people imagine. "Our primary mandate of educating the nation on indigenous plants and contribute to their conservation is a very complex one", explains Kwembeya. This is evident when considering the many different activities carried out by the six departments that make up the NBRI.
As expected Kwembeya starts with the herbarium under his curatorship when naming these subdivisions and explaining their functions. Established in 1953 the herbarium houses a vast collection of dried plant specimens arranged according to a specific classification system. Its main function is to provide botanical identification services to the public and serve as a reference and research centre where taxonomists and interested laymen alike can obtain information on approximately 90.000 plant specimens stored there, amongst them over 4000 plants indigenous to Namibia.
The databank, containing information relating to specific specimens, as well as their common names and uses, not only has academic significance but very practical applications as well. "We regularly receive visits from farmers for instance, who want us to identify poisonous plants making their livestock sick", explains Kwembeya. Except for this valuable service the herbarium also conducts inventories of the indigenous flora and maintains a literature collection relevant to the taxonomy of Namibian plants. Furthermore it assists in analyzing floristic information for national development purposes and offers tours and training courses on collecting and mounting procedures upon written request.
As one of its special projects the herbarium is currently in the process of collating and analyzing data on the indigenous and naturalized plants of the country in order to create a comprehensive account of Namibia's flora. The institute is open on Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 17.00. Use of the facility is subject to prior arrangement with the curator.
Complementing the work being done at the herbarium the National Plant Genetic Resource Centre (NPGRC) is responsible for the conservation of Namibia's plant genetic resources. Similar to a financial institution storing money, the gene bank conserves genetic resources of indigenous, wild, cultivated and introduced plant species occurring in Namibia and multiplies or regenerates accessions in its collection. It further carries out research on Namibian plant genetic resources and endeavours to promote their utilisation.
"In the same way that human beings are genetically different, plants within a species are too", explains Kwembeya and continues: "This genetic diversity forms the basis of plant breeding and crop improvement programmes where for instance traits like drought resistance can be transferred from wild species to cultivated ones."
The gene bank collects, processes and stores plant genetic material in the form of seeds thereby conserving local plant genetic resources. The seeds are cleaned, dried, sealed in air-tight foil packets and stored in deep freezers at -20 degrees Celsius. This form of conservation is important in light of the fact, that many indigenous species like devil's claw are being threatened by various factors like habitat destruction and over-harvesting, causing a loss in genetic diversity.
Kwembeya describes the undertaking of collecting seed samples for the over 4000 indigenous plants occurring in Namibia as a "huge task". Considering the time involved in gathering the samples the NPGRC prioritises the accumulation of seeds according to species that are used for crop production like Sorghum and Mahango, as well as species with actual or potential use and species that are threatened with extinction. Currently the gene bank stores over 2000 accessions representing 250 species of crop, among them Mahangu, Sorghum, ground nuts, pumpkin and watermelon.
Staff members of the NPGRC periodically test the samples to determine if they are still viable. Small samples of seed can be dispatched to researchers or plant breeders but the gene bank is not in a position to supply seeds in bulk. The gene bank should thus not be seen as "a substitute for the conservation of species in their natural habitat", as Kwembeya stresses.
To assist in the effort of conservation, the NPGRC maintains a project to support the protection of endangered plants in the country. With this aim in mind the department has commenced with the identification of threatened plant species at their site of occurrence. By compiling and publishing such an illustrated Red Data List the NPGRC hopes to increase awareness among Namibians for the appearance and locality of rare plants and encourage the population to protect these plants.
Adding to that work the Vegetation Ecology Unit, being the third of six segments within the NBRI, aims to provide vegetation data to users and to monitor vegetation changes caused by climate change and land use practices. Using aerial photos and satellite images as well as geological and topographical maps and conducting extensive field work, the unit strives to compile a comprehensive inventory detailing the soils, climate and vegetation occurring in different parts of the country. This information is vital for land use planning as well as farming purposes and can be used as a reference when monitoring long-term changes in vegetation dynamics.
"Contrary to popular belief, the study of plants and their habitat is not just a hobby but a scientific pursuit that has very practical and important applications", stresses Kwembeya, referring amongst others to the relevance of data collected as a tool for land use planning. The same developmental significance applies to the work conducted by the fourth directorate connected to the NBRI, being the one responsible for Plant Product Development (PPD).
"There are many plants and fruit like Hoodia, Devil's Claw and Marula occurring in Namibia that are well known for their medicinal properties or which are being used in the production of cosmetics, essential oils, flavouring agents and beverages", explains Kwembeya and adds: "In addition many veld products are used as a food resource or as raw material for carving, weaving and construction as well as fuel for heating and cooking."
Given this importance attached to Namibia's flora as a natural resource and source of income for the rural population, the NBRI has created the division for plant product development to assist in conducting research and collect information (including traditional knowledge) on useful indigenous plants. Using that insight the PPD endeavours to promote the sustainable development of widely utilized botanical products and thereby contribute to income generation amongst rural communities.
One way of achieving this is by negotiating bilateral agreements in the area of plant product development and by promoting the commercial use of indigenous flora. The PPD is also involved in assessing the feasibility of promoting particular plant products and in coordinating such efforts. These efforts are specifically geared towards communal farmers and conservancies who are encouraged to cultivate succulents like Hoodia, which are in high demand for their supposed appetite suppressing properties.
By providing seed and advice on propagating succulents to identified partners the PPD was instrumental in establishing non traditional crops like Hoodia as a commercial product while simultaneously contributing to the conservation of succulent flora through cultivation. In addition the PPD, under the curatorship of Steve Carr, was a major driving force in marketing botanic products generated through the Succulent Cultivation Project and as such contributed substantially to skills transfer and income generation in rural areas.
Although the SCP has ceased most activities due to a lack of funding, the legacy of the programme endures through organisations like the Hoodia Working Group (HWG) and the Hoodia Growers'Association of Namibia (Hogran). The PPD continues to support these two groupings and maintains seedling populations at the National Botanic Garden. This is done in order to provide plant material of targeted species for screening to identify any active ingredients for application in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
While the scientific work being done at the NBRI is the most important for the 26 permanent and 6 associated staff members employed there, the institution endeavours above all else to be a facility where members of the public can meet and collect information. Except for regular guided walks at the National Botanic Garden (being the fifth of the six sections of the NBRI) the institution attempts to involve the public through regular presentations focusing on plant related issues and through the popular open day, held every 18 month at the NBRI.
Except for the regular `walks and talks` as they are fondly referred to by staff members, the most widely used source of information at the institute is the M.A.N. Müller Reference Library, the final of the six branches of the institute. The facility contains a large number of botanical books covering a vast array of specialized topics ranging from medicinal plants, trees and shrubs to ecology, conservation, biotechnology, succulents, gardening, agronomy and genetic resources. Furthermore the facility contains a periodical collection of various journals as well as a slide collection featuring photographs of flowers, leaves, fruits and the habitat supporting these plants. The library not only serves as a reference centre for staff of the NBRI when conducting research for lectures or publications and is open to all interested members of the public from Monday to Friday.
It is the growing public interest in the work of the NBRI and the interaction with visitors that provides the biggest job satisfaction to Kwembeya who has been the curator of the Herbarium since 2005. "Of course the scientific research is fulfilling, because the work we do here is as diverse as the plants we study", he says. Then after a short pause he declares in closing: "But being able to offer advice and provide information to people sharing my love for botany is even more rewarding."
National Botanic Research Institute
Private Bag 13184,
8 Orban Street, Windhoek
Tel: (061) 2029111
Fax: (061) 258153
E-mail: [email protected]
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