Scientific or reference collections are vital repositories of biological knowledge. Museums, universities, governments and other entities source and maintain vast reference collections that can include images, genetic information, or whole samples of microbial, plant, fungal, and animal specimens.
Reference collections are multi-use resources with taxonomic, systematic, ecological, evolutionary, and molecular sciences all heavily relying on reference collections, as too does the national plant biosecurity system.
Preventing exotic plant pests and diseases from establishing in Australia is vital to maintaining Australia’s unique biodiversity and helps to support trade and market access for our plant industries by assuring our global trading partners of pest-free exports.
The use of reference collection specimens underpins plant health risk reduction strategies, preparedness activities, and evidence-based decision making. Unidentified samples of pests intercepted at the border or beyond when response and eradication events are required can be compared to verified samples in collections to confirm their identification – ensuring our regulatory action is appropriate and justified.
Reference samples in collections can also be used in the development of plant health diagnostic tests to confirm accuracy and access to specimens is also essential for staff training and for research that advances the capability of operational and policy-based biosecurity activities.
Its not only the physical specimen in collections that is important, but also key information on where, when, and how specimens were collected as well as the host they were sourced from. This key information provides supporting evidence that guides determination of pest status and risk analysis that form the basis of phytosanitary regulations that reduce the likelihood of a pest to impact the Australian environment or agricultural industry.
The examples provided are just some of the ways reference collections are essential to plant biosecurity. Ensuring our reference collections and the information within remains at a high quality will support and maintain an effective biosecurity system.