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science news - Meise Botanic Garden
science news - Meise Botanic Garden
Date: November, 2023
In the FOURCAST research project, we collaborate with various partners to investigate the impact of climate change on biodiversity in Belgium. Our scientists compare modern-day plants with specimens from the Botanic Garden’s herbarium, some of which are up to 150 years old. This allows us to predict which plant species will be at risk due to climate change in the future.
science news - Meise Botanic Garden
science news - Meise Botanic Garden
Date: March, 2024
After the herbarium research, we would like to highlight a second FOURCAST sub-study: the mesocosm experiment led by Ghent University (UGent), in collaboration with the Meise Botanic Garden, the Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI), and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS). This experiment investigates the urban heat island effect in Brussels. Scientists are monitoring the growth of plants and woodlice at various locations, ranging from the city center to the 'Zoniënwoud'.
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Bruzz: 'Bosanemoon': Experiment Studies Whether the White Flower Can Withstand Heat
Date: March , 2024
Author: Andy Furniere
Will the 'Bosanemoon' soon succumb to the increasing heat in Brussels? Scientists from Ghent University are counting on Brussels residents with a garden (and a tree) to find out. “If this plant species disappears, a piece of the ecosystem puzzle will be lost.”
The Belgian Herbarium of Meise Botanic Garden:
The Belgian Herbarium of Meise Botanic Garden:
A Treasure Trove of Botanical History
A Treasure Trove of Botanical History
Date: June 5, 2024
Author: Katarina Peeters
The Belgian herbarium of Meise Botanic Garden stands as a cornerstone of botanical research and conservation. With its extensive collection of approximately 473,000 specimens, including both vascular plants and non-vascular cryptogams, this herbarium serves as the reference point for Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The data from these herbarium specimens play a crucial role in assessing the impact of climate change on native plant species. By comparing historical data with current plant growth patterns, scientists in the FOURCAST project identify trends and make informed predictions about future changes.
“Recently, Katarina from Meise Botanic Garden and Pieter and Karen from Ghent University (UGent) embarked on a mission as part of the FOURCAST project. Their goal was to explore the herbarium labels of eight selected plant species housed in the garden's collection.”
The herbarium is more than just a collection of dried plants; it is a vital resource for botanical research, conservation, and education. By preserving historical data and embracing modern digitization techniques, this herbarium continues to play a pivotal role in understanding and protecting our native plant species in the face of climate change.
Date: June 10, 2024
Author: Karen De Pauw
Karen wrote a piece on the use of natural history collections for research on environmental changes!
Karen:
"A personal fascination with butterfly cases, dried plants, and dinosaur skeletons keeps drawing me to museums. Recently, I've become involved in a research project (FOURCAST BELSPO - Belgian Science Policy Office) where we utilize historical collections of plants and insects to study the effects of climate change and urbanization (in collaboration with the Meise Botanic Garden and RBINS).
It's time to share that sense of wonder further because natural history collections are still often viewed as dusty and not particularly useful.
Herbaria, insect collections, collections of songbird skeletons, ...
The collecting zeal of nature enthusiasts in the past (and even today!) can still provide us with fascinating information. Especially now, as technology is making rapid advancements and is being applied to digitize collections and even conduct measurements.
Read more about it in the June edition of Natuurfocus
Bruzz: 'oprolpissebed': Armed Against Rising Heat
Date: October , 2024
Author: Andy Furniere
A new experiment in Brussels gardens is investigating how well different types of woodlice withstand the urban heat island effect.
The citizen science project has started and has been picked up by the media.
Date: February , 2025
EOS
The FOURCAST Project: Historical Phenological Data
The FOURCAST Project: Historical Phenological Data
Date: March, 2025
Author: Bes Vandenbroele
FOURCAST utilizes botanical archives to analyze long-term phenological data. The project relies on surveys collected between 1952 and 1965 in Belgium, northern France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Every year, citizens recorded plant growth phases during the first weekend of April, creating a dataset spanning more than a decade.
The study initially focused on three key species:
Anemone nemorosa L. (Wood anemone)
Tussilago farfara L. (Coltsfoot)
Prunus spinosa L. (Blackthorn)
In 1958, a fourth species was added:
Ranunculus ficaria L. (Lesser celandine)
A total of approximately 8,000 surveys were collected. The data provide valuable insights into the effects of climate variation on plant species across different geographical regions.
Digitization and Analysis
A crucial aspect of the project is the digitization and transcription of these surveys. So far, 2,044 surveys from the period 1954-1957 have been scanned in TIFF format with a resolution of 300 dpi. The data are currently being manually transcribed for later statistical analysis.
Additionally, Meise Botanic Garden's herbarium is being updated. Phenological records of the studied species are being verified and expanded. This effort broadens the scope of the case study, allowing the inclusion of additional species in future analyses.
Scientific Significance
Scientific Significance
Analyzing historical phenological data is essential for understanding the long-term effects of climate change. By comparing these records with modern observations, researchers can identify shifts in flowering and growth patterns and establish correlations with changes in temperature and precipitation. This contributes to ecological models that predict the impact of climate change on biodiversity.
The collaboration between citizen science and institutional research within the FOURCAST project highlights how historical data can be repurposed for contemporary climate studies. This project underscores the value of long-term monitoring in understanding ecosystems and their responses to environmental changes.
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