Spanish Bluebells:

1
Spanish Bluebells A Model for Web-based Public
Engagement at the Natural History Museum
Mark Spencer Curator, British European
Herbariums
2
(No Transcript)
3
(No Transcript)
4
Background Bluebells
H. x massartiana
H. non-scripta
5
The Bluebells Project Research A joint
collaboration with RBGE ( other partners)
partially funded by SNH Public engagement A
NHM funded project as part of the Museums UK
Biodiversity Programme
6
Research Distribution of European and North
African Hyacinthoides
Hyacinthoides - non-scripta - hispanica -
paivae - mauritanica ssp. mauritanica -
mauritanica ssp. vincentina - reverchonii -
italica - mauritanica ??
7
Research Molecular Biology cpDNA sequencing
allozymes

• Small sample size (to date) in British Isles
• Very informative preliminary results
• Clear distinction in both allozyme and cpDNA
• Both may be useful for assessment of genetic
  diversity

H. non-scripta vs H. hispanica
8

• Research Morphological Studies
• All specimens that were sampled for
• molecular biological studies were
• Photographed in situ
• Morphological measurements taken
• Additionally
• All specimens will be prepared as
• herbarium voucher specimens
• ANALYSIS of Molecular Morphological data
• is essential for both the public engagement
• and scientific aspects of the project

9
Public Engagement NHM Website 1
10
Public Engagement NHM Website 2
11
Public Engagement NHM Website 3
12
Public Engagement NHM Website 4
13

• The Project Future Developments
• Research
• Further sampling in the
• Iberian Peninsula British Isles
• of both wild, non-native
• horticultural plants
• Desired Outcomes
• Molecular Assay techniques to aid
• identification of different bluebells
• Revised morphological keys that aid
• field identification

14

• The Project Future Developments
• Public engagement
• Continue development of NHM website by
• Provide feedback on previous survey period
  (2006)
• Adding further honey-pot features including
  galleries
• Further develop partnerships with external
  bodies
• Rework identification keys following assessment
• of previous survey period results in conjunction
• with scientific data
• Desired Outcomes
• A project that
• Aids the promotion of the concept of Amateurs
  as experts
• Highlights the importance of understanding and
  appreciating British Natural History

15
Acknowledgements NHM Johannes Vogel, Gill
Stevens, Michael Grundmann, Steve Ansell, Fred
Rumsey, Steve Russell, Felipe Dominguez-Santana,
Andrea Hallaway, Sue Higgins, Ailsa Barry, Kate
Henderson, Mike Lowndes Mike Sadka Royal
Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh Pete Hollingsworth,
Mary Gibby, Jane Squirell Deborah
Kohn Plantlife, Royal Horticultural Society,
Chelsea Physic Garden, Natural England David
Bevan