Science Strategy
Comparative Plant Biology
Context
The major themes covered by this programme include documenting plant variation, reconstructing evolutionary relationships and understanding evolutionary patterns and processes, and determining ecological drivers for plant and seed adaptations.
Understanding evolutionary and ecological relationships, patterns and processes is of critical importance to the future productive development of plant science and developing insight into how changes in our environment could influence plant development.
Comparative Plant Biology has a vital role in developing predictive classifications and functional ecology-related models to guide future research and exploration of the plant kingdom. This programme includes comparative research on fungal biology. Overall, it generates fundamental knowledge of plant, seed and fungal diversity that has direct relevance to our research programmes on Conservation and the Sustainable Utilisation of Plant Resources.
Overall Objective
3. Demonstrate the excellence of Kew's scientific research, and maximise its impact, by more effective dissemination of the results to the broadest possible professional audience.
Key Measures
2b. Total research publications and compilations
3. Total publications in the highest quality scientific journals
Comment: These measures seek to assess the relevance and impact of Kew’s research in comparative plant biology on different aspects of plant science.