Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
(+44) 131 552 7171
Simon Milne MBE, +44 (0)131 552 7171, s.milne@rbge.org.uk
Prof. Pete Hollingsworth, +44 (0)131 552 7171, p.hollingsworth@rbge.org.uk
Dr David Harris, +44 (0)131 552 7171, d.harris@rbge.org.uk
Dr Elspeth Haston, +44 (0)131 552 7171, e.haston@rbge.org.uk
Simon Milne, Director, s.milne@rbge.org.uk
Prof. Pete Hollingsworth,p.hollingsworth@rbge.org.uk
Mr Kevin Reid, k.reid@rbge.org.uk
Dr. Alasdair Macnab, a.macnab@rbge.org.uk
Ms. Heather Jackson, h.jackson@rbge.org.uk
RBGE is constituted under the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985. A Board of Trustees (up to 9 in number) is appointed by Scottish Ministers. The Board operates at arm’s length from Scottish Ministers but can be given ministerial direction. The RBGE is also a registered Scottish charity and is required to comply with the rules governing charities. The Regius Keeper (Chief Executive) is separately appointed as Accountable Officer and has specific duties laid down requiring him to be answerable to Parliament independently of Scottish Ministers and the Board of Trustees. Ordinarily, the Board give strategic direction to the Regius Keeper and his senior management team, who are responsible for the leadership and management of the Institution.
| Permanent (P) | Non – Permanent (NP) | |
|---|---|---|
| a) TOTAL scientific staff | 56 | 23 |
| b) Scientific staff linked to Collections | 44 | 23 |
| c) Post-docs / PhD students | ||
| d) Others (Associates, etc.) | ||
| TOTAL (a+b+c+d) | 100 | 46 |
| Permanent (P) | Non – Permanent (NP) | |
|---|---|---|
| e) Exhibitions | 5 | 4 |
| f) Collection managers / technicians | 75 | 4 |
| g) Others | 86 | 2 |
| TOTAL (e+f+g) | 165 | 15 |
- Molecular Biology Thermocyclers, Digital Gel Imaging System, Qiagen QIAxtractor, access to ABI DNA analysis system.
- Microscopy and Cytology Stereo dissecting and compound microscope for brightfield, DIC and Phase contrast, Zeiss axioimager M2 microscope with motorised z control and DIC optics.
- Plant tissue culture Environmentally controlled plant micropropagation and growing room/cabinets, Laminar flow work stations.
- Scanning electron microscopy LEO Supra 55VP scanning electron microscope, ultramicrotome, Graphics PC workstation incl. slide scanner, Photoshop.
- Histology and anatomy Microtomes – sledge, rotary and freezing, embedding oven.
Supporting Facilities and Services Includes the new Field Emission Gun SEM, Cytogenetic and Molecular Laboratories – offering the latest technology to facilitate phylogenetic and population genetic research. This includes the option for cytological study, or extraction and analysis of DNA using the extensive living collections.
Information Technology and Access All of the living collections and 10% herbarium, including an increasing number of type specimens, are databased in BGBASE. The living collections database can be searched via the web. RBGE have developed taxonomic databases for the floras of Bhutan, Nepal and Arabia, and the families Rosaceae, Umbelliferae and Zingiberaceae.
At RBGE research reflects the expertise of the staff and the richness of the living and herbarium collections, the library and archives. The three major strategic objectives for research are: Conserving plant biodiversity in the face of global environmental change and mass extinction Provision of baseline taxonomic/botanical data as a foundation science.
Understanding the evolutionary processes that have given rise to the world’s botanical diversity There are four research programmes (see below). These four research programmes are led by Antje Ahrends (Genetics and Conservation), Chris Ellis (Cryptogamic Plants and Fungi), Toby Pennington (Tropical Diversity) and Mark Watson (Major Floras).
Floristic studies of botanically important regions in Asia and the development of innovative bioinformatics methods of dissemination of floristic information to a range of end-users, including other taxonomists, ecologists and conservationists, and especially national governments to assist them in meeting targets derived from the CBD.
Biodiversity in the tropics, concentrating on widely distributed and species-rich genera and high priority conservation areas, and elucidation of the evolutionary processes giving rise to this biodiversity.
Biodiversity of cryptogamic plants and fungi, exploration of the evolutionary processes giving rise to this biodiversity, and assessment of threats and development of strategies for conservation.
Elucidation of population genetic processes underlying the evolution of plant biodiversity in high conservation priority groups and development of practical strategies to contribute towards their conservation.
Sibbaldia Horticultural Journal: A horticultural journal from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, edited by the Director of Horticulture Dr David Rae and Kate Hughes. Sibbaldia publishes a broad range of practical knowledge and experience in botanic garden cultivation built up over many decades. It is a must-have for horticultural staff and students, as well as scientists involved in cultivation practices at botanic gardens. Gardeners with an interest in unusual plants and conservation enjoy it too.
Published annually, each issue has separate ISBN. Issue 11 was published in November 2013.
URL: http://www.rbge.org.uk/about-us/publications/publications-catalogue/jour...
The Botanics Magazine (ISSN: 0956-3237): We publish a 20-page full-colour magazine on a quarterly basis - in March, June, September and December. The latest issue of the Botanics magazine (57 Summer 2014). URL: http://www.rbge.org.uk/about-us/publications/the-botanics
Edinburgh Journal of Botany (ISSN: 0960-4286): An international journal of plant systematics covering related aspects of biodiversity, conservation science and phytogeography for plants and fungi. The journal is a particularly valued forum for research on South East and South West Asian, Sino-Himalayan and Brazilian biodiversity. The journal also publishes important work on European, Central American and African biodiversity and encourages submissions from throughout the world. Commissioned book reviews are also included. All papers are peer reviewed and an international editorial board provides a body of expertise to reflect the wide range of work published and the geographical spread of the journal’s authors and readers. Published 3 times per year by Cambridge University Press for RBGE. (March, July, November). URL: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=EJB
| Typology | Primary types | Individual specimens/objects | % registered cards | % recorded cards in database | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 |
| Typology | Primary types | Individual specimens/objects | % registered cards | % recorded cards in database | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Botany | 2600000 | |||
| 2.2 | Mycology | 400000 |
The RBGE Library and Archives is a unique resource, providing researchers with access to a collection of botanical and horticultural works dating back to the 15th Century. In addition to the published works the collection includes nursery catalogues, index seminum and manuscript material (correspondence, field books, photographs, etc.) relating to the scientific research and collecting activity that has been undertaken at the Garden throughout its history.
N/A – Not since 1963-64.
Books: 60,000 items, Journals: 4,200 titles (approximately 150,000 volumes), Original art: 40,000 items, Photographic slides: 60,000 items, Microform: 500 titles. Reprints 30,000 items
Herbarium A key aspect of RBGE's work is establishing 'which species grow where'. The Herbarium at RBGE is the best collection of Scottish plants in the world. These specimens are reference points for taxonomic, identification and distributional studies and also provide base-line data to underpin conservation projects.
Library As well as being a world-class repository of international botanical information, the Library at RBGE represents a specialised bibliographic resource relating to Scottish plant biodiversity. This ranges from all published local floras in Scotland, journals dedicated to plants in Scotland such as the Botanical Journal of Scotland, and many hundreds of unpublished reports on Scottish biodiversity.
In addition we hold historically important archive material pertaining to Scottish plants, including phenological data and the archives of the Botanical Society of Scotland, the Scottish Alpine Botanical Club and the Cryptogamic Society of Scotland. Images A large collection of photographs of Scottish plants is housed at RBGE and includes images of native higher plants, bryophytes, fungi, lichens and algae as well as more general habitat photographs. Visit the image collections web page for more information.
224 Families 2,698 Genera 13,420 Species 34,632 Accessions 175,000 Plants
The Communications Team works proactively and reactively with print, broadcast and electronic media locally, nationally and internationally to engage audiences at all levels with the work being undertaken by the organisation. Press releases, by-lines and other forms of sell-in range from coverage of new initiatives/collaborations to funding announcements and human interest stories, features and blogs. The intention is to continue and increase coverage across all media from niche scientific journals to general news, art, horticulture and visitor attraction publications – always underscoring any story with key scientific messages.
On average, RBGE records 1,500 press mentions per year, from arts listings to news items and features. Outreach Projects: BioBlitz Edible Garden Project
Ms. Shauna Hay, +44 (0)131 552 7171, s.hay@rbge.org.uk
Number for 2013
Total Page Views Unique Page Views 23 July 2012 – 22 July 2013 1,293,246 885,615 23 July 2013 – 22 July 2014 2,208,895 1,363,482
Wide range of RBGE Certificates and Diplomas in botany, plant ID horticulture and allied disciplines some in partnership e.g. Certificate in Practical Horticulture endorsed by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the RBGE Diploma in Garden History endorsed by the UK Garden History Society.
For more info see RBGE web site for details on all: http://www.rbge.org.uk/education/home
- HND/BSc in Horticulture with Plantsmanship with University of Glasgow and SRUC
- four year undergraduate programme focussing on horticulture, with an emphasis on plants, plant collections and plant diversity
- MSc in Biodiversity & Taxonomy of Plants with University of Edinburgh
- one year masters programme incorporating our Certificate in Field Botany (delivered in Belize), and an extensive individual research project
- MLA Landscape architecture with University of Edinburgh
- we train Landscape architects in botany and plant diversity, as well as the ecology components of their course.
Yes, throughhttps://onlinecourses.rbge.ac.uk/. Launched in 2013. Initial courses on-line, but vision/aim to put all on-line.
A number of training and capacity building projects delivered by RBGE staff with a number of partners. Summarised as follows:
- Bespoke Training (in-country)
- Bespoke Training (at RBGE)
- RBGE Certificate Programmes
- Train the Trainer Programme
- Staff Attending RBGE Full-Time Courses
- Many short courses on plant biodiversity and botanic garden-related topics
- Schools programmes for pre-school to secondary level, including continuing professional development (CPD) training courses for teachers
Dr Greg Kenicer (Head of Education), +44 (0)131 552 7171, g.kenicer@rbge.org.uk
Dr Louis Ronse De Craene (MSc Course Director) , +44 (0)131 552 7171, l.ronsedecraene@rbge.org.uk
Ms. Susie Kelpie (Schools Programme Manager), +44 (0)131 552 7171, s.kelpie@rbge.org.uk
Ms. Suzanne Harris (Adult Education Manager), +44 (0)131 552 7171, s.harris@rbge.org.uk
1. Monographic and floristic research
2. Conservation research including impact of climate change 3. Public Engagement and Education
3. Public Engagement and Education
1. Digitisation of Collections (mobilisation of data)
2. Predictive modelling of the biosphere
3. Public Engagement and Education
4. World Flora Online
1. EUBON/GEOBON
2. IPBES
3. TDWG