THURSDAY TALK - Dr Linda Broadhurst 'Connecting Indigenous and scientific plant names’

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Thursday, 4 March 2021 - 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Dr Linda Broadhurst 'Connecting Indigenous and scientific plant names’

This talk will discuss our proposal to co-develop processes and practices with Indigenous communities to connect Indigenous and scientific plant names to improve the conservation and management of our Australian flora.

Abstract

Plant specimens housed by herbaria have underpinned our understanding of where species occur and their uses for centuries. Plants are given names according to globally agreed, well-defined standards with each name being associated with a single physical specimen known as a type. However, this approach to naming plants does not recognise Indigenous plant names and concepts. Our recent pilot study using data from Warlpiri lands in the central desert indicates that less than 9% of the 170,000 plant specimens (1,700 species) that have been collected have Warlpiri plant names. Not only does this represent a significant knowledge gap, it also fails to acknowledge the deep understanding of our biodiversity held by Indigenous Australians. This talk will discuss our proposal to co-develop processes and practices with Indigenous communities to connect Indigenous and scientific plant names to improve the conservation and management of our Australian flora.

Biography

Dr Linda Broadhurst, Director Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR) and Director Australian National Herbarium (ANH) at CSIRO National Research Collection Australia

Dr Linda Broadhurst has been working at CSIRO since 2000 after completing her PhD at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, followed by a short post-doctoral position with the then Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM). Her research is primarily focussed on conserving and restoring the long term prospects of Australia’s unique floral biodiversity. Her most recent research is assisting NRMs and NGOs establish good seed sourcing and production practices to help restored populations respond to changing environments. Dr Broadhurst continues to publish in national and international peer-reviewed journals with more than 40 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters as well as numerous reports and plain language information sheets. She has also been an Associated Editor with Australian Journal of Botany since 2009.

Bookings for this talk open the Friday before and close at midnight on Wednesday night at https://register.eventarc.net/e/44980

Bookings are essential because of the COVID-19 guidelines related to the Thursday Talks and limited seating. (Tickets are Free.)

Please be aware that COVID-19 outbreaks and isolation requirements are subject to change at short notice.

Please ensure that:
- You have not been in a hotspot or prohibited area before attending Thursday Talks.
- You do not attend if you are feeling unwell.

Tickets are limited, please notify us if you are unable to come on 0437 298 711 or 0407 299 704.