Wien, am 08. Februar 2013
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supports the Natural History Museum
Vienna in its efforts to digitize its herbarium collections.
The Natural History Museum Vienna is one of 270 institutions all over the world that is
digitizing their type collections (scientific collections of dried and pressed plants).
The aim of the ‘Global Plants Initiative’ is to scan types from herbaria all over the world and to
make the digital scans available. A ‘type’ is a kind of certificate of birth: it was used to describe a
plant new to science. About 1.8 million type specimens have been scanned within the
framework of this project.
In Austria both the Natural History Museum Vienna and the Institute for Botany at the University of Vienna
have participated in this initiative.
Viennese Herbaria have participated in the “Plants Initiative” since 2005, enabling the digitalization of
39,312 type specimens. This year we shall receive further support to continue digitizing approximately
10,000 more specimens.
The database ‘Virtual Herbaria’ (http://herbarium.univie.ac.at/database/search.php) – developed in
Vienna – provides access to the digital scans and is also used in other herbaria. A total of 81,000 type
specimens, as well as a large amount of herbarium specimens, are hence available. Most images of the
Austrian Flora are available through ‘Botanik-im-Bild’ (http://flora.nhm-wien.ac.at).
The botanical department of the Natural History Museum contains about 5.5 million specimens from all
over the world. Amongst them are countless specimens of historical importance, originating not only from
our own expeditions but also through exchange with prominent institutions around the world.
Although about one sixth of the botanical collections were destroyed in World War II, the herbarium of the
Natural History Museum Vienna, with its more than 200,000 type specimens, is among the five most
important herbaria in the world.
The geographical focus of the collections lies in Europe in the area of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy,
Central Europe, as well as the Mediterranean, in particular Greece and Turkey. In Asia the main focus is
in the Orient, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Flora Iranica. African collections mostly originate from
Tunisia, East- and Central Africa, as well as the Cape Regions. Core regions in South America include
Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The herbarium also contains considerable collections from Australia and
New Zealand.
If you would like to know more about the Foundation and it’s program areas, please visit www.mellon.org.
The Museum of Natural History Vienna
The Museum of Natural History Vienna is among the largest of its kind and one of the most important
museums in Europe. In 39 exhibition halls thousands of objects representing the earth and life sciences
convey an impression of the breathtaking diversity of nature. Precious minerals and meteorites, rare
fossils, huge dinosaurs and unique prehistoric findings, such as the famous Venus of Willendorf, are
presented on the mezzanine level. The first floor is dedicated to the immense variety of animal life.
Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Burgring 7, 1010 Wien, Austria | T: +43 1 52177-410 | F: DW -578 | www.nhm-wien.ac.at
Behind the scenes collections comprising some 30 million specimens and artefacts are the essential
basis for the work of over 60 staff scientists. Their main fields of research cover a wide range of topics
from the origins of our solar system and the evolution of animals and plants to human evolution, as well
as prehistoric traditions and customs. Guided tours, presentations, and workshops on a variety of themes
are offered regularly. These events not only provide insight into interesting and surprising natural
phenomena, but also deal with the fascinating results of scientific research.
Further enquiry:
Mag. Irina Kubadinow
Head of Communication & Media,
Spokesperson
Tel.: ++ 43 (1) 521 777 410
Mail: irina.kubadinow@nhm-wien.ac.at
Mag. Verena Randolf
Communication & Media
Press officer
Tel.: ++ 43 (1) 521 77 411
Mail: verena.randolf@nhm-wien.ac.at