RAPID: Rescuing a living stocks collection damaged by Hurricane Irma

蒙哥马利植物中心（MBC）获得了快速反应研究（Rapid）奖，以拯救受飓风Irma影响的109种濒危生物种群，飓风Irma对活的植物收藏造成了广泛的破坏。最初的快速分类确定了109种生物，如果迅速采取行动，可以挽救这些生物。这109种树木的状况已经稳定下来，这个项目将使这些树木能够在最初恢复期间重新设置和照料。美国国家科学基金会支持的许多研究项目利用MBC生物种群在不同学科，包括系统学，生理学，生态学，古生物学。这些种群也用于结构生物学、基因组学和授粉生物学研究。该项目抢救的植物包括具有广泛的来源资料、有研究价值或特别稀有的高科学价值植物。其中一些活的种群代表了收藏中唯一的例子，其中一个例子是一个被认为在野外灭绝的物种的例子。MBC的生活收藏品构成了MBC推广和教育节目的基础，覆盖了从学前班到研究生院的各个层次的学生。蒙哥马利与附近的三所学院，迈阿密戴德学院，佛罗里达国际大学和迈阿密大学有正式和非正式的联系，使这些生活资源能够接触到美国最多样化的学生社区。在MBC实习时，为了强调馆藏对科学进步的重要性，还会进行馆藏管理。此外，MBC及其合作者在馆藏管理方面的积极研究导致了植物园和其他生活馆藏的改进实践。该项目包括对109棵被飓风伊尔玛（Irma）吹倒的棕榈树进行初步矫直和树桩，这些棕榈树正面临干涸和损失的危险。最初的工作包括清理碎片，以便接近这些标本。扶正这些最大的标本将需要起重机和挖土机一起工作，以及支持人员在起重机将树干固定到位时进行桩，回填和浇水。剩余的掌纹将在挖土机和支持人员的配合下，使用较小的设备进行矫直。在矫直和打桩后，在重新建立阶段，将需要对害虫和病原体进行一致的管理。这包括定期筛查病原体、健康监测和收集管理记录保存。农业生态学和园艺学的本科研究助理将被招募来协助所有这些技术任务，直接与MBC的策展人员一起工作。

A Rapid Response Research (RAPID) award is made to the Montgomery Botanical Center (MBC) to rescue 109 imperiled living stocks impacted by Hurricane Irma, which caused extensive damage to living plant collections. Initial rapid triage identified 109 living stocks that can be saved if acted upon quickly. The condition of these 109 stocks has been stabilized, and this project will enable these trees to be re-set and cared for during initial recovery. Numerous NSF-supported research projects make use of the MBC living stocks in various disciplines including systematics, physiology, ecology, paleontology. These stocks are also used in structural biology, genomics, and pollination biology studies. The collections being rescued by this project include plants of high scientific value which have extensive provenance data, prior research use, or exceptional rarity. Some of these living stocks represent the only examples held in collections, and in one case, an example of a species thought to be extinct in the wild. Living collections at MBC form the basis of MBC's outreach and educational programming, reaching students at every level from pre-K through Graduate School levels. Montgomery's formal and informal links with three nearby colleges, Miami-Dade College, Florida International University, and University of Miami, allow these living stocks to reach some of the most diverse student communities in the US. Internships at MBC incorporate collections management to help emphasize the importance of such collections for advancing science. In addition, active research on collections management by MBC and its collaborators leads to improved practice for botanic gardens and other living collections.The project involves the initial righting and staking 109 palms which were felled by Hurricane Irma, and are in danger of desiccation and loss. Initial work involves clearing debris to allow access to these specimens. Righting the largest of these specimens will require a tree crane and backhoe working in tandem, along with a support crew to stake, backfill and water these while the crane is holding the trunk in place. The remaining palms will be righted using smaller equipment in tandem with the backhoe and support staff. After righting and staking, the stocks will require consistent management for pests and pathogens in during their re-establishment phase. This includes regular screening for pathogens, health monitoring, and collections management record keeping. Undergraduate research assistants in agroecology and horticulture will be recruited to assist with all of these skilled tasks, working directly with the curatorial staff of MBC.