New Zealand Fungal & Plant Disease Herbarium (PDD)
Primary source of information on the fungi of New Zealand and of Pacific countries.
Background
The herbarium, started about 1920 by G.H. Cunningham, was transferred to DSIR, Plant Diseases Division in 1936. Plant Diseases Division and Entomology Division merged in 1989 to form DSIR Plant Protection. In 1992 the herbarium and its associated research became part of Landcare Research.
Functions
To acquire, preserve and maintain a collection of New Zealand fungi; to support associated systematic research; to provide a specialist information service for various organisations and government departments both within New Zealand and throughout the Pacific; and to be a repository for fungi of ecological significance and for verification of plant disease records for New Zealand and for island nations of the South Pacific. The collection also underpins quarantine and border control decisions.
Funding
Foundation for Research Science and Technology - Biosystematics of New Zealand Fungi and bacteria.
Contribution to Science Goals
This asset contributes significantly to Output Class 15 research, underpinning or contributing to research benefiting programmes concerned with biota identification, functioning of natural ecosystems, and development of sustainable management practises.