How to Be Herbarium Curator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Increased urbanization has had a dramatic effect on plant health and biodiversity. With more people living in cities, native plant species are being removed and replaced with non-native species, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of plant species present in urban areas. Herbarium curators play an important role in combating this trend by collecting and preserving specimens of native plants for study, research, and education. Through their work, herbarium curators help to better understand the effects of urbanization on plants, document the presence of native species, identify and preserve rare plants, and ensure that future generations have access to the same diversity of plants that exist today.

Steps How to Become

1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Students interested in becoming a herbarium curator should earn a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, ecology, or a related field. During their studies, they should take courses in plant systematics, plant pathology, taxonomy, and ecology.
2. Get Work Experience. Gaining work experience in the field of botany is essential for aspiring herbarium curators. Work experience can be gained through internships, volunteer opportunities, and research assistant positions.
3. Earn an Advanced Degree. Many herbarium curators have a master's or doctorate degree in botany, biology, or a related field. Advanced coursework should include topics such as plant systematics, taxonomy, ecology, and plant pathology.
4. Become Certified. Becoming certified is an optional but beneficial step for those interested in becoming a herbarium curator. Organizations such as the American Society of Plant Taxonomists offer certification courses and exams that can demonstrate expertise in the field.
5. Participate in Professional Organizations. Participating in professional organizations such as the American Society of Plant Taxonomists or the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections can help aspiring herbarium curators network and stay up to date on the latest developments in their field.
6. Apply for Jobs. Herbarium curators typically work for universities, museums, or other research institutions. Applicants should have a strong understanding of plant systematics and taxonomy, as well as experience working with plant specimens.

An ideal and capable Herbarium Curator must possess certain qualities in order to be successful in their role. They must have a vast knowledge of plant species and their identification, as well as a deep understanding of the scientific names and classification of plants. They must also be highly organized, able to design, manage and catalog herbarium specimens effectively.

they must be able to work well with others and remain organized when working in a team environment, as well as being able to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers. Finally, Herbarium Curators must be able to stay up-to-date with the latest technology and research in the field in order to keep the herbarium up to date and running smoothly. All these qualities combined will make an ideal and capable Herbarium Curator.

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Job Description

1. Collecting, identifying, classifying, and cataloging plants and plant specimens for the Herbarium.
2. Maintaining a database of plant specimens and other information related to the Herbarium.
3. Developing and implementing policies and procedures for the management of the Herbarium collections.
4. Inspecting plants and plant specimens to ensure they meet quality standards.
5. Assisting with specimen preparation and mounting of plants and plant specimens.
6. Assisting with research projects related to the Herbarium.
7. Interacting with academic, government, and private partners and stakeholders.
8. Developing educational materials and programs related to the Herbarium.
9. Working with other staff to ensure that the Herbarium is properly managed and maintained.
10. Assisting with grant writing to secure additional funding and resources for the Herbarium.

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Knowledge of taxonomy and plant identification
2. Expertise in plant preservation techniques
3. Ability to catalogue and organize specimens
4. Familiarity with computer programs, such as database management systems
5. Excellent communication and collaboration skills
6. Knowledge of current herbarium practices and standards
7. Ability to lead tours, workshops, and public lectures
8. Ability to write grant proposals for new specimens and research projects
9. Understanding of the scientific methodology as it relates to herbarium research
10. Ability to develop and maintain relationships with other institutions, organizations, and individuals

The ability to effectively curate an herbarium is essential for any successful herbarium curator. This skill involves a combination of knowledge, experience, and technical skills. In order to properly curate an herbarium, one must have a thorough understanding of plant taxonomy, the ability to identify plant species and their various characteristics, and the ability to accurately catalog items and store them properly.

the curator must have the ability to recognize any abnormalities or changes in the plants that could indicate a need for further investigation or treatment. Furthermore, the curator must have a basic understanding of computer software, be able to process data, and be able to communicate effectively with colleagues. All of these skills are necessary in order to ensure the accuracy and safety of the herbarium collection.

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Frequent Interview Questions

• What experience do you have in herbarium curation?
• How familiar are you with taxonomic and nomenclatural principles?
• How do you handle specimen accessioning, labeling, and preparation?
• Have you ever worked with a collections database management system?
• What techniques do you utilize for specimen preservation and storage?
• How do you work to ensure proper specimen identification?
• How do you handle data entry and maintenance of herbarium databases?
• What is your experience with digitizing herbarium specimens?
• How do you handle specimen loans, exchanges, or donations?
• What experience do you have in developing educational materials related to herbarium collections?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Specimen Database Software. This software is used to store and organize herbarium specimens. (eg: Specify 6. 5 Herbarium Software)
2. Digital Camera. A digital camera is used to document specimens and other herbarium related activities. (eg: Nikon Coolpix P900)
3. Spreadsheet Software. Spreadsheet software is used to organize data and to create reports. (eg: Microsoft Excel)
4. Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS software gives an understanding of geographic patterns and can be used to create maps with herbarium data. (eg: ArcGIS)
5. Image Editing Software. Image editing software is used to edit and enhance photos. (eg: Adobe Photoshop)
6. Microscope. A microscope is used to observe the microscopic parts of a plant specimen. (eg: Olympus BX53)
7. Label Printer. A label printer is used to generate labels for specimens. (eg: Dymo LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo)
8. Barcode Scanner. A barcode scanner is used to quickly access information about a specimen in the database. (eg: Honeywell Voyager 1202g)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. Botanical Society of America
2. American Society of Plant Taxonomists
3. International Association for Plant Taxonomy
4. International Association for Plant Conservation
5. American Fern Society
6. Society for Economic Botany
7. International Association for Ecology
8. Ecological Society of America
9. Society of Herbaria Curators
10. National Council for Science and the Environment

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Common Important Terms

1. Taxonomy. Taxonomy is the branch of science dealing with the identification, classification, and naming of organisms.
2. Herbarium. A herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens and associated data used for scientific study.
3. Specimen. A specimen is a single physical example of an organism or part of an organism.
4. Collection. A collection is a group of specimens, either physical or virtual, gathered together and kept track of in a systematic way.
5. Identification. Identification is the process of assigning a name to a specimen based on its characteristics.
6. Accessioning. Accessioning is the process of formally recording the addition of specimens to a collection.
7. Databasing. Databasing is the process of creating digital records for specimens and collections, often with associated metadata.
8. Biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including the variety of species, their genetic information, and the ecosystems they inhabit.
9. Preservation. Preservation is the process of keeping specimens in a usable condition for study and research.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Herbarium Curator?

A Herbarium Curator is a professional skilled in the preservation and management of plant specimens in a herbarium, a collection of preserved plants used for scientific research.

What qualifications are needed to become a Herbarium Curator?

Generally, Herbarium Curators need a minimum of a Master's degree in Botany, Biology, or another related field. They should also have experience in plant identification and taxonomy.

What duties are performed by a Herbarium Curator?

The main duty of a Herbarium Curator is to maintain and manage the herbarium collection. This includes organizing, labeling, and curating new specimens as they are acquired, as well as creating databases to store information related to the specimens.

How is a herbarium collection used?

Herbarium collections are used for scientific research, such as taxonomic studies, phylogenetic studies, and ecological studies. They can also be used for educational purposes, such as teaching about plant identification and taxonomy.

How many specimens are typically in a herbarium collection?

The size of a herbarium collection varies depending on the institution or organization. Generally, collections range from several hundred to millions of specimens.

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Web Resources

• Herbarium | Kent State University www.kent.edu
• IU Herbarium - Department of Biology biology.indiana.edu
• University of Florida Herbarium (FLAS) - Florida Museum www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu