Science Strategy
Collections
Context
The 19 main collections for which Kew has responsibility can be divided into three main groups: living and genetic resource collections, preserved plant and fungal collections, and documentary and visual reference collections.
The preserved and reference collections are the crucial samples of plant diversity necessary for research in plant diversity. They primarily serve the research needs of the scientific community but also contain vast amounts of data relating to the distribution and ecology of plant and fungal species that are important for conservation purposes.
The living and genetic resource collections also support research but are of particular significance as an ex situ safe haven for many plant species that are threatened in the wild. The living collections are also the foundation of Kew’s capacity to attract and inform the visiting public.
The documentary and visual reference collections add value to the other collections and also comprise important elements of Kew’s intellectual property that need to be safeguarded, developed and used.
Access to, and use of, the collections facilitates the creation of new knowledge about plant diversity and also supports the conservation and sustainable use of plant species.
Overall Objective
1. Build the quality of Kew's collections and encourage access by others, so as to maximise their use and increase their scientific, utilitarian and conservation value.
Key Measure
1. Total access to behind-the-scenes collections
Comment: This measure seeks to assess the extent to which Kew serves its diverse constituencies through the growth, identification, curation, accessibility and maintenance of the collections.