Scientific collections
In Switzerland, numerous collections are stored in museums and universities and are very valuable for research, education and culture. However, their value is not sufficiently recognised, access to collection data for research is often difficult, and there is a lack of professionalised staff to expand and maintain the collections. Science is also developing new methods of species identification that need to be integrated, tested and standardised. Various measures have already been considered and initiated to make better use of collections.
Swiss natural history collections network (SwissCollNet)
An initiative for the development of a long-term Natural History Collections Strategy in Switzerland
Goals of the initiative
- promote the management and curation of natural history collections in Switzerland;
- unify physical and virtual access to biodiversity and geodiversity information;
- provide new, linked and open access to data associated with collections;
- create a platform to encourage and supprot the scientific use of natural history collections.
Further information about SwissCollNet will be published in January 2021
The federal government is promoting an improved access to natural science collections with a total amount of CHF 12.37 million until 2024. The digitised collections provide unique data for climate, biodiversity or agricultural research, for example. To this end, the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) has launched the Swiss Natural History Collections Network, SwissCollNet, to collaborate with museums, universities, and botanical gardens in laying the foundations for the digitisation and long-term management and use of the collections.
Image: ETHZ-BIB/Pierre KellenbergerOn the occasion of the National Day of Natural History Collections, 26 Swiss institutions are offering you a glimpse behind the scenes. From now on, the curators will be telling you the stories of selected objects. But beware: one of the three stories of each institution is completely made up! Watch these fantastic stories and learn more about the Collections Day program.
Image: Christoph GermannDie Schweiz nutzt ihre mit über 60 Millionen Objekten umfangreichen naturwissenschaftlichen Sammlungen schlecht. Gegenwärtig sind nur 17 Prozent der Objekte digital erfasst und damit für wissenschaftliche Auswertungen wirklich zugänglich. Dies zeigt der Bericht «Nationale Bedeutung Naturwissenschaftlicher Sammlungen der Schweiz» der Akademie der Naturwissenschaften (SCNAT). Demnach braucht es einen Investitionsschub, damit Sammlungen eine effiziente Forschungsinfrastruktur werden.
Image: Naturhistorisches Museum Basel