The latest Index Herbariorum annual report, The World’s Herbaria 2019, is now available along with previous reports from 2016-2019 at http://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/ih/annual-report/.
This report provides an annual snapshot of Index Herbariorum data that helps to track any changes in the number of herbaria and their specimens over time. “Participating institutions can use these data to put their own collection in a global perspective and to understand how they contribute to the worldwide effort to document plant and fungal biodiversity,” reads the report.
According to the summary, as of December 15, 2019, there are 3324 active herbaria in the world (229 more than 2018), containing 392,353,689 specimens (4,739,636 more than 2018). Seven herbaria were reported as discontinued in 2019. There are 178 countries with at least one herbarium, same as in 2018 and associated with these herbaria are 12,135 staff members and associates.