Global natural history infrastructure requires international solidarity, support, and investment in local capacity

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Boldgiv, Bazartseren; Lkhagva, Ariuntsetseg; Edwards, Scott; Stenseth, Nils C.; Bayarsaikhan, Jamsranjav; Altangerel, Dondog; Usukhjargal, Dorj; Dovchin, Badamgarav; Gombobaatar, Sundev; Batsaikhan, Nyamsuren; Warinner, Christina; Hart, Isaac; Galbreath, Kurt; Greiman, Stephen E.; Malaney, Jason; Murdoch, James D.; Mclean, Bryan; Dewitte, Sharon N.; Manzitto-Tripp, Erin; Chin, Karen; Karim, Talia S.; Simpson, Carl; Stevens, Nancy J.; Dunnum, Jonathan L.; Cook, Joseph A.; Taylor, William Timothy Treal
• 署名单位: National University of Mongolia; Harvard University; Harvard University; University of Oslo; Mongolian Academy of Sciences; Max Planck Society; Harvard University; Max Planck Society; Utah System of Higher Education; University of Utah; Northern Michigan University; University System of Georgia; Georgia Southern University; University of Vermont; University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina Greensboro; University of Colorado System; University of Colorado Boulder; University of Colorado System; University of Colorado Boulder; University of Colorado System; University of Colorado Boulder; University of Colorado System; University of Colorado Boulder; University of Colorado System; University of Colorado Boulder; University of New Mexico; University of New Mexico
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-11775
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2411232122
• 发表日期: 2025-02-11
• 关键词: climate-change; collections

摘要

Amid global challenges like climate change, extinctions, and disease epidemics, science and society require nuanced, international solutions that are grounded in robust, interdisciplinary perspectives and datasets that span deep time. Natural history collections, from modern biological specimens to the archaeological and fossil records, are crucial tools for understanding cultural and biological processes that shape our modern world. At the same time, natural history collections in low and middle- income countries are at- risk and underresourced, imperiling efforts to build the infrastructure and scientific capacity necessary to tackle critical challenges. The case of Mongolia exemplifies the unique challenges of preserving natural history collections in a country with limited financial resources under the thumb of scientific colonialism. Specifically, the lack of biorepository infrastructure throughout Mongolia stymies efforts to study or respond to large- scale environmental changes of the modern era. Investment in museum capacity and training to develop locally- accessible collections that characterize natural communities over time and space must be a key priority for a future where understanding climate scenarios, predicting, and responding to zoonotic disease, making informed conservation choices, or adapting to agricultural challenges, will be all but impossible without relevant and accessible collections.