Tools For Study Of Taxonomy Museums, Zoos, Herbaria and Botanical Gardens

Introduction

Tools for study of Taxonomy museums, zoos, herbaria, botanical Gardens refer to techniques and procedures. Taxonomy refers to a branch of science by which we name, describe, and classify organisms. Such organisms involve all the microorganisms, plants, and animals on the planet Earth. Taxonomic study is a fundamental part of almost all branches of biological studies. There are certain tools in the study of Taxonomy that are very beneficial in identifying and classifying organisms. These tools are museums, zoos, herbaria, and botanical gardens. They play an essential role in taxonomic hierarchy study and research. Let us dive deeper into the tools for the study of Taxonomy.

Museums

Museum refers to an institution where the exhibition of certain historical or educational materials occurs. In particular, a biological museum involves only a collection of animal or plant specimens that are preserved. Such specimens are for the purpose of studying, researching, referencing, and exhibiting. You can find biological museums in certain educational institutes. The preservation of specimens takes place in specialised containers containing a certain type of preservative solution. Insects are preserved, after they are collected, killed, and pinned, in insect boxes. Larger animals are usually stuffed for the purpose of preservation. The preservation of animal and plant specimens may also take place as dry specimens.

The Functions of Museums are as follows:

• Acquisition of important animal and plant specimens
• A detailed listing of each specimen acquisition by specialist staff
• Preservation of specimens to greatly reduce the deterioration process so as to prolong the life cycle of the specimens
• Ensuring utmost protection of the specimens against physical damage or harm
• Curating exhibitions of specimens to the outside public

Tools for study of Museums:

Kipp’s Apparatus: It is designed for the purpose of preparing gases in small volumes. Fiber Models: These are models resembling the shape of animals or humans, usually made of plastic. Dissecting Microscope: This is a type of digital optical microscope meant for the purpose of dissecting specimens and analysing them. Portable Autoclave: Its utilisation takes place for general purpose sterilisation of specimens. Barlow’ Wheel Apparatus: It involves a copper wheel that is in the shape of a star. This wheel can rotate in a free manner in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis. Flame Photometry: Use of this device takes place for the chemical analysis of inorganic specimens. This way, concentration of some types of metal ions can be determined. PH indicator paper: This is a litmus paper strip with which the measurement of a liquid’s pH value can take place.

Zoos

Zoos refer to an establishment where various animals are kept for study and public display. This makes them very important among the tools for studying taxonomy. In zoos, animals are kept within enclosures. In zoos, animals are provided with a high standard of care. The living conditions are made as natural as possible for animals in a zoo.

The Functions of Zoos are as follows:

• Providing animals with hygienic and amicable living conditions
• Preservation of threatened wildlife by offering safety from hunters, poachers, etc
• Help increase the number of endangered species by encouraging breeding
• Act as a storehouse of knowledge on the study of animal behaviour

Tools for study of Zoos:

Binoculars or Magnifying Glass: These are required for the observation of animals from a distance. Laboratory Equipment: Certain laboratory equipment is needed for studying the anatomy of animals. Such equipment includes microscopes, tweezers, scissors and scalpels. Recording Equipment: This includes audio and visual recorders to make sound and visual tapes of animals in order to study their behaviour. Global Positioning System (GPS): GPS is essential for identifying the exact and precise location of a particular type of animal. Computer: They are required for the creation and maintenance of databases of information pertaining to various kinds of animals.

Herbaria

Herbaria are places where the systematic keeping of dried and pressed plant specimens occurs. These plant specimens are mounted on sheets and kept based on a widely accepted classification system. They serve as repositories or storehouses for future use. Herbaria can be found in any school, college, or educational institution that teaches botany. In addition, botanical gardens and plant study institutes can maintain herbaria of massive sizes.

The Functions of Herbaria are as follows:

• Providing a standard reference collection for the verification and identification of plants
• Serving as a reference collection for plant systematics and biological courses
• Facilitate the training of students in graduate and undergraduate botany courses
• Documenting the presence of plant species in specific areas and providing the consequent geographic range data
• Providing samples of the flora belonging to a particular area. This results in saving a lot of time and effort for a botanist looking to study a specific plant specimen
• Helping in the identification of the existence of classification problems
• Providing plant material and data for conducting scientific research and analysis. Data is available in anatomical samples, leaf samples, pollen samples, and vegetative and reproductive morphology
• Preservation of specific specimens, thereby acting as a repository of experimental vouchers

Tools for study of Herbaria:

Digger: A digger is necessary for the purpose of digging up plant roots.

Pruning knife: This is a special type of knife that is created for the purpose of pruning. Such knives have a blade that is slightly curved and is really sharp. It has a hooked end that is beneficial for cutting branches.

Forceps: This is a handheld portable object suitable for holding items. A pair of them is suitable for opening a flower bud.

Vasculum: This is a container that is used for collecting and accommodating plant specimens. Plant press: This is an equipment set whose utilisation takes place for flattening and drying plant samples.

Botanical gardens

Botanical gardens are large-sized tracts, where various types of plants take place for scientific purposes. The development of the first real botanical garden took place back in the ancient era by Theophrastus. It was a simple botanical garden with a few types of plants. Modern-day botanical gardens, however, are much more sophisticated than that. They involve outdoor plants, research laboratories, libraries, greenhouses, and modern technologies. There is an international association of botanical gardens. It helps in coordinating research and the exchange of plant materials around the world.

The Functions of Botanical gardens are as follows:

• Growing important types of plants belonging to local flora
• Keeping and maintaining a record of local flora
• Providing living plant material for conducting systematic scientific work
• Supplying seeds and materials for different aspects of botanical research
• Growing and maintaining plants that are endangered or rare

Tools for study of Botanical gardens:

Picture-recording equipment: This is for capturing high-quality images of plants for the purpose of research and study. Digger: A digger is necessary for the purpose of digging up roots. Pruning knife: This is a special type of knife for pruning that has a slightly curved and sharp blade. Data sheets and field book: This is required for noting down information regarding various types of plants for collecting data, studying, analysis, and researching. Field guides and reference books: These are required to quickly identify plant species that are unknown on-the-spot.

Conclusion

Tools for study of Taxonomy museums, zoos, herbaria, botanical Gardens are techniques and procedures that help in identifying and classifying organisms. This makes these tools very important in studying various species of plants, animals, and other microbes. In a biological museum, there is a collection of animal or plant specimens that have been preserved. Zoological parks or zoos are used to keep living animals for studying and public display. The systematic keeping of dried and pressed plant specimens takes place in herbaria. Botanical gardens are large-sized tracts for scientific purposes where various plants are grown.