The Use of Collections for Biological Recording

Biological collections in regional museums have formed the bedrock of historic understanding of the environment, and were the basis for the development of biological recording as a discipline. Over the last 20 or more years, this relationship has tended to break down, with disastrous consequences for collections, and serious implications for the quality of biodiversity data. It is time everyone recognised the supportive roles of collections for biological recording and biodiversity data, and that collections managers and senior staff and policy makers responsible for museums worked towards gaining resources from outside to support these vital functions.