Background

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has strong historic links with the Sino-Himalayan region, and since the start of the Flora of Bhutan project in 1975 has mounted a series of plant collecting to the East Himalaya (including 6 expeditions to Bhutan, two to Sikkim and Darjeeling and two to East Nepal). These expeditions have primarily served to accumulate modern material of general plant collections (preserved and living) and specialist research collections from particular families of interest to RBGE staff, e.g. Gentianaceae, Ericaceae, Umbelliferae. Other objectives have included collection of bryophytes, carpological (seed and fruit) material, photographs, local information on ecology, vernacular names and information on ethnobotanical uses of plants.

Although the Flora of Bhutan has now been completed (January 2002), research for that project uncovered many taxonomic problems in critical groups for which further material and research is needed. In addition, the prospect of a Flora of Nepal project getting under way is now a likely one and RBGE intends to be a major participant. The expedition was planned to support these objectives and would therefore take place in an area not previously visited by RBGE staff, between the areas covered by the two earlier expeditions to Nepal: KEKE (Kew-Edinburgh Kanchenjunga Expedition, 1989) and EMAK (Edinburgh Makalu Expedition, 1991). This area was thought to be very rich in woody and herbaceous plants as well as bryophytes. Some studies have been carried out in this area by Japanese botanists in the past (June & July 1972) which support this view.

It has been 10 years since the last RBGE expedition to Nepal, and the time was considered right to resume field activity in this country.

Objectives
The main objectives of the expedition were:

Preserved Collections - To collect herbarium material of all available flowering plants and ferns as well as bryophytes from the study area, in at least four sets so that collections could be divided between Nepalese and British herbaria. Special consideration would be given to specialist groups under study at RBGE (e.g. Cyperaceae, Bryophytes, Ericaceae, Gramineae, Rosaceae, Umbelliferae). Silica gel dried leaf samples would be taken for some of these specialist groups (notably Umbelliferae). David Long and Mark Watson were to be primarily be responsible for these areas.

Living Collections - Temperate Himalayan plants are important components of RBGE’s living collections, and serve both to display the Himalayan Flora to a wide range of visitors and to be used in research on Himalayan plants, for example to support botanists researching the Flora of Bhutan and Flora of Nepal. Most living collections would be in the form of seed. Priority would be given to material that could be grown outdoors at RBGE, and in particular specialist groups identified in the Garden’s Acquisition Policy (e.g. woody Rosaceae). David Knott and Simon Crutchley would be primarily be responsible for these areas.

Collections for molecular research - Molecular studies are now an integral part of plant systematics. The expedition planned to collect leaf samples in silica gel (supported by a herbarium voucher specimen) of selected plants for a range of on-going research projects at RBGE and elsewhere: eg. liverwort evolution (RBGE), Umbelliferae (RBGE), Thuidiaceae (Natural History Museum, London). Another RBGE project Microsatellites as Population Genetic Markers includes the liverwort Anastrophyllum joergensenii (Joergensen’s Notchwort) which is disjunct between Scotland and Nepal. Population sampling of this species was a primary goal of the expedition.

Field Experience - The value of studying plants in their natural environment cannot be over-emphasised. New horticultural practices are derived from observing native habitats, bringing improved capabilities in cultivation techniques. Scientific research is also enhanced as workers have the diversity of form seen in wild populations, and can view their subjects as part of an ecosystem (rather than individuals on a herbarium sheet or in a pot). Although David Knott had participated in expeditions in SW China, neither he nor Simon Crutchley had any field experience in the Himalaya. David Long has considerable field experience in the Sino-Himalaya (including Nepal), and Mark Watson has worked in Sikkim, S Nepal and SW China.

Training in Field Botany - The spread of knowledge of the participants was aimed at maximising development of field botany expertise for all members of the team. For Simon Crutchley this would be his first major plant-collecting expedition. Participating on the expedition would have particular benefit for him.

Collaborative links - The expedition would reinforce RBGE’s commitments to the planned Flora of Nepal in terms of collaboration with Nepalese botanists and focussed collection of relevant plant material. This material will become available to botanists in both Nepal and UK.