THE FUTURE OF BOTANICAL RESEARCH 



IN ALASKA 



Ira L. Wiggins 



Scientific Director 



Arctic Research Laboratory 



Point Barrow, Alaska 



In Alaska, as in all other parts of the world, it is necessary to 

 know a good deal about the kinds of plants native to the area 

 before investigations on the vegetation can be undertaken or 

 research begun on the physiology, anatomy, morphology, cy- 

 tology, or genetics of the discrete units within the flora. This 

 necessity leads to exploratory work through which plants are 

 collected and preserved, adequately labelled, and forwarded to 

 herbaria for study and permanent storage. The specimens may 

 be Avorked up by the collector himself, or very frequently at 

 least a part of them are sent to specialists who make taxonomic 

 determinations, describe the new species if any are present in 

 the lot, and publish the results of the investigation. The dura- 

 tion of this basic phase of botanical research varies greatly from 

 one part of the world to another, but the general pattern of its 

 progress is much the same everywhere. This exploratory work 

 may be carried on under one or more of several types of spon- 

 sorship. It may be done largely by persons who do the field 

 work because of a love for, and an intense curiosity about, the 

 plants of the region. It may be done by individuals or field 

 teams carrying out government assignments; or by professional 

 botanists in the employ of universities, learned societies, or 

 other organizations. It is primarily taxonomic or systematic 

 activities that occupy the time and absorb the energies of people 

 interested in plants during the early years of exploration. Other 

 phases of botanical research usually enter the scene at a latei 

 date. 



Much of the early collecting in Alaska was done by men 

 connected with government commissions. Exploring ships 



in 



