Herbarium specimens are not only preserved plant materials, but also records of time, place, and human activity. Each specimen contains information that can be revisited and reinterpreted, particularly in the context of recent large-scale digitization, which has opened new possibilities for research across fields such as ecology, the history of science, and biogeography.

In this talk, I will introduce the types of information embedded in herbarium specimens and their labels, and discuss how these data can be used in research. By integrating information on taxonomy, locality, time, and collectors, specimen data can be analyzed from multiple perspectives.

I will present several case studies using Taiwanese collections. These include analyses of the spatial and temporal distribution of specimen collection and comparisons with ecological survey data, as well as attempts to reconstruct the history of botanical exploration based on label information. One example is a large digital dataset developed since 2002 to reconstruct early botanical activities in Taiwan. In total, 51,325 specimens collected before 1948 have been compiled from multiple herbaria, including 45,755 from the National Taiwan University Herbarium (TAI). By integrating specimen metadata with GIS-based spatial and temporal analyses, this dataset allows the reconstruction of collecting routes, geographic focus, and research priorities of early Japanese botanists.

At the same time, I will address some practical challenges. Errors in digitization and data transcription are not uncommon, and careful verification is necessary when using these data. Despite these limitations, herbarium databases provide an important foundation for both ecological and historical studies.

Finally, I will briefly discuss the current status of Taiwanese plant specimen databases. While domestic databases are becoming more complete, many early collections—especially those made before 1928—are still housed overseas, particularly in major institutions such as the University of Tokyo and the Royal Botanic Gardens, and have not yet been fully digitized and catalogued. Improving access to these materials will be an important task for future research.

 

東京大学大学院理学系研究科・生物科学専攻・附属植物園