The Marshall University College of Science proudly celebrates Earth Day by recognizing a significant milestone in the global reach of its Herbarium collection.
Two years after data from the Marshall University Herbarium was made available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), its contributions to scientific research have grown steadily. To date, data from the Herbarium has been cited in 137 research publications.
Located on the third floor of the Science Building, the Marshall University Herbarium is the second largest Herbarium in the state of West Virginia. It houses approximately 52,000 vascular plant specimens, and small collections of fossils, algae, fungi, and non-vascular plants. The Herbarium also counts with a modest ethnobotanical collection and a specialized botanical library. By digitizing and sharing this data through GBIF, the university contributes to a growing network of biodiversity data used to address some of the world’s most pressing ecological challenges.
As the world celebrates Earth Day, the College of Science remains committed to supporting global scientific initiatives and educating the next generation of environmental leaders.