Services provided by the Science team include State Herbarium of South Australia and South Australian Seed Conservation Centre staff undertaking contracted services. Resources to deliver these services are negotiated based on the nature, level of expertise and effort required for the delivery of the service. Among the services we deliver routinely are:
Staff, Honorary Research Associates and many volunteers have professional grade expertise in the identification of plants, fungi, lichens or algae. We use this expertise to support community needs by providing a service which includes identifying ad hoc collections, contracted project work, field surveys, partnering on research projects, and training through partnerships with the University of Adelaide. This service has also been used to support the release of grain shipments for international transport when routine sampling has been unable to confirm the presence of problematic weed seeds requiring specialised expertise to be applied.
Weeds collection and identification training in South Australia
Our Weeds Botanist has provided on site field collecting and basic identification skills development training across the state. In addition, we can undertake collections to document the weeds present in your area.
We have in recent years undertaken DNA analysis for a variety of purposes including:
Expert advice on potential fungi poisonings is provided annually via the poisons hotline to medical professionals undertaking emergency treatment of patients who are suspected to have ingested toxic fungi.
