Extending Specimens to Save Plant DNA: Structuring Department DNA Collections in Times of Biodiversity Loss

Plant biodiversity DNA banks are scarce despite the current plant biodiversity loss, their value for ex situ conservation, DNA preservation progress, and the rapid growth of DNA-dependent research fields. We explore the principles and basic organization of plant biodiversity DNA banking and propose new ways of addressing the biodiversity loss through their implementation. Small departmental collections can be created through a six-step holistic process that integrates three types of collections (DNA extracts, DNA-rich tissues, and herbarium vouchers) to generate extended specimens, thereby contributing to local and global plant biodiversity knowledge and conservation efforts. We propose a revision to the international biobanking strategy (the Dynamo scheme) that leverages the strengths of interconnected small departmental collections. By doing so, we can mitigate the risk of sample loss in the event of a catastrophe, optimize sampling strategies, and provide more comprehensive coverage of taxa and distribution ranges while fostering national and international collaborations.