Fern and Lycophyte Collections at the BRIT Herbarium

Taxonomy and Evolution of Ferns and Lycophytes Program

Currently, we make part of a three-year grant from the United States National Science Foundation to digitize and image the approximately 40,000 specimens of ferns and lycophytes in the BRIT’s herbarium.

Pteridoportal is the data portal, where you can access the digitized herbarium specimens. In addition to BRIT, 35 other institutions are contributing data to the portal!

Check our Related Article below to learn more about the ferns and lycophyte collections at BRIT.

Alejandra Vasco, Ph.D.

Research Botanist

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Biodiversity and Floristics

GGI-Gardens Resources

Natural history collections play an increasingly vital role in biodiversity studies. Much of the research that leverages these collections combines this accumulated diversity knowledge with genomic approaches. There is a movement toward improved collection practices that incorporate resources that can be used in genomics research.

Morgan Gostel, Ph.D. July 19, 2021

View from Andes looking toward the Amazon river basin

Biodiversity and Floristics

Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Program in Peru (AABP)

The region where the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains meet the Amazonian lowlands harbors one of the greatest concentrations of biological diversity on Earth. Thousands of species and many complex tropical ecosystems exist along an altitudinal gradient from 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) in the Andes to 200 meters (650 feet) in the Amazonian lowlands.

BRIT Staff March 26, 2021

Biodiversity and Floristics

The BRIT Prairie

The purpose of the prairie on the BRIT Landscape is to provide the public a glimpse of the aesthetics of natural or native landscapes, reduce BRIT’s demand for water resources, be a valuable source for research into restoration of prairies in urban environments, and provide a model for habitat restoration and ecological connectivity. The culture of the region arose in the context of prairies.

Brooke Byerley Best, Ph.D. March 23, 2021

Biodiversity and Floristics

Biodiversity Assessment: All Saints’ Episcopal School

This project involves conducting a detailed biodiversity assessment to be used for the development and implementation of a natural resource management plan for the 33 acres of undeveloped land included in the 147-acre campus of All Saints’ Episcopal School (ASES) in Fort Worth, Texas. The property also includes a 12-acre natural area with a wetland, riparian area, native grassland, orchard, and vegetable garden.

Brooke Best March 23, 2021

Biodiversity and Floristics

Ferns of Colombia

Colombia is estimated to harbor the highest fern diversity of any Neotropical country, with more than 1600 native fern species currently documented.

BRIT Staff March 17, 2021

Biodiversity and Floristics

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a 1,643 acre property owned by the state of Texas and managed for wildlife and tourism. The land was purchased from private landowner Charles Moss by the Nature Conservancy of Texas in 1978 and was later sold to the state of Texas. The park opened as a state natural area in 1978. Prior to its acquisition by the Nature Conservancy, the property was held by several private landowners and used for cattle ranching and tourism.

Kim Norton Taylor March 17, 2021

Fern and Lycophyte Collections at the BRIT Herbarium

Research Team

Related Articles

GGI-Gardens Resources

Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Program in Peru (AABP)

The BRIT Prairie

Biodiversity Assessment: All Saints’ Episcopal School

Ferns of Colombia

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area