Since 2024, the Haussknecht Herbarium has served as the research foundation for the newly established Senckenberg Institute for Plant Diversity in Jena (SIP), whose scientists use the herbarium’s collections to study biodiversity and its changes. The herbarium houses millions of dried plants and fungi. How can this enormous number of plant specimens be cataloged, processed, and made accessible to science?
In addition to traditional research approaches, which often focus on individual plant specimens, modern AI methods help extract information from digitized data on a large scale. Scientists use this information for biodiversity and climate research, deriving scenarios and recommendations for action for our future. In this way, the SIP combines traditional methods of collection-based research with state-of-the-art, data-driven biodiversity research.
In addition, two citizen science projects were launched in May 2026: “HerbaTour” invites interested citizens to discover the fascinating world of the Haussknecht Herbarium, explore plants, and share their own stories about them. As a “Herbonaut,” you can help decipher historical handwritten plant labels.
We invite you to take a look at our exciting research:
• Attend interesting lectures on our research into plant diversity and the origins of our institute.
• Take advantage of this rare opportunity to join a guided tour of the Haussknecht Herbarium.
• “No one can read that! ” – How artificial intelligence can help decipher handwritten labels.
• Modern AI Meets Historical Collections – Find out what data we can already extract today from digitized plant specimens using artificial intelligence and modern image processing!
• Become a plant detective and put your instincts to the test in our exciting quiz and plant memory game!
• Discover your passion for collecting and learn how to start your own herbarium!
• Nothing happens without moss?! – Look through the microscope, discover the fascinating world of mosses, and learn about their enormous importance for our ecosystems.
• The world of stomata—their functions and significance for current research
• Become a “Herbonaut” yourself and join us on the HerbaTour —as a citizen scientist, you can actively support our research with your knowledge and skills.