Report of the Review of the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research JUNE 2009 CENTRE FOR PLANT BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH REVIEW REPORT 2009 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 Findings: 2 Recommendations: 4 Role and function of the Centre: Future directions Partnership and governance arrangements Operational Matters Outreach/Extension INTRODUCTION 7 Terms of Reference 7 BACKGROUND TO THE CENTRE 8 History of the Centre 8 Previous reviews 8 Responses to the reviews 9 Summary of current operations 9 REVIEW APPROACH 10 Briefing materials 10 Staff survey 11 Call for submissions 11 Review Meetings and consultation 12 ISSUES ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION 13 ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE CENTRE 13 PARTNERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS 28 OPERATIONAL MATTERS 33 OUTREACH 35 i Executive Summary The Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research was formed in November 1993 as a joint venture between CSIRO and Environment Australia (now the Department of the Environment, Water Heritage and the Arts) thereby providing a national focus for advancing knowledge fundamental to sustainable management of Australia’s plant biodiversity. The Centre incorporates the native plant research activities and the combined herbaria of CSIRO Plant Industry and the Australian National Botanic Gardens. The formation of the Centre created major opportunities for bringing together the databases and networks of the ANBG and CSIRO and for providing a seamless view of the Centre’s and the Commonwealth’s botanical information. The arrangement has been formalised through the signing of an Agreement between the two parties. Detailed information about the Centre and its activities can be found at the following web address http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/. The Objectives of the Centre are: (a) to be a National Centre of research excellence in the fields of plant systematics and conservation biology, as a basis for conservation and sustainable management and use of Australian vegetation. (b) to develop and manage scientific collections of Australian and related floras as the Australian National Herbarium, a permanent record of Australian plant diversity, and as a source for research on these floras, and to provide the scientific authenticity of the ANBG. (c) to provide a national focus for and play a role in national botanical database management, and to represent and promote Australia internationally within the botanical database management field. (d) to pursue research, education and training relevant to Centre programs and objectives. (e) to ensure that the two parties add value to each other and the Centre, through their differing backgrounds and disciplines, and, through the Centre, serve the Parent Bodies and stakeholders, including the Living Collections of the Parties; and (f) to maximise the benefits flowing from applications of Centre Intellectual property. The Centre was reviewed in 1998 followed by the renewal of the Agreement until 31 December 2009. Both parties agreed that a formal review occur before the expiry of the current agreement. The finding and recommendations below arise from a review of the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research carried out in May 2009 by an external review panel. The Review has clearly confirmed the valuable role performed by the taxonomic and related research undertaken by the Centre, supporting nationally critical decision making on biodiversity conservation. 1 Detailed findings and recommendations point to specific instances of the value of the Centre and identify areas for improvement in its operation over time. Findings: A. The fundamental rationale for the Centre as a strategic collaboration between the CSIRO and the Department centred on the consolidation of research collections and associated activities remains valid. B. The joint venture partnership on which the Centre is based itself adds value to the activities and character of the Centre delivering significant benefits back to the partner organisations with the total benefits representing value significantly greater than the sum of the inputs. C. Outcomes of the taxonomic and related research by the Centre are often critical inputs to decision making on complex biodiversity conservation issues. D. The role and scope of activities at the Centre have narrowed in recent years from the original Mission, with a marked reduction in conservation genetics and population ecology work. E. There is a lack of clarity in the identity and current scope of the Centre’s activities. The absence of an Annual Report and confusion relating to the physical location of the Centre and its relationship with the Australian National Botanic Gardens contributes to this. F. The Draft Strategic Plan 2005 - 2009 documents activities in a very general way, rather than providing strategic guidance and identifying flagship projects. G. The Centre has a strong international reputation for excellent scientific research, particularly in the fields of systematics and botanical information management. H. However, there is a need to increase the number of specialist research staff to build the research science capability required to address biodiversity science issues of national importance, particularly: • systematics and its applications; • population genetics and ecology; • biodiversity information analysis; • restoration ecology; and • innovative taxonomy protocols and practice. I. The Centre is an exemplar for how collections can be managed and made available to the community through Australia’s Virtual Herbarium and other electronic media and the integral connection between research and collections. J. The Australian National Herbarium Collection has high national and international value and there is a need to maintain the high standard of curation currently in place. Concerns about the availability of long term storage and appropriate infrastructure for the Collection need to be addressed. K. As well as state-of-the-art curation, it remains important that core high quality science capacity resides with the research collection to facilitate its use and contemporary curation, so that its economic and other value is fully appreciated 2 and enhanced. L. While there has been an extended period of concentration on water and climate change issues, there is now renewed recognition of the importance of biodiversity within partner organisations, as evidenced by the recent establishment of a biodiversity theme in the CSIRO and in the internal review of biodiversity programs in the Department. M. The Centre is a leader in projects such as the Taxonomy & Research Information Network and Australia’s Virtual Herbarium. The Centre has an excellent relationship with State and Territory Herbaria. These relationships and the Centre’s collaborative international leadership role are pivotal to its future. N. Volunteers and Honorary Associates play an important role in the activities of the Centre and add significant value to the nature and effectiveness of the organisation. O. The involvement of graduate students and the student internship program provide a valuable introduction to plant biodiversity research for interested students and represent a valuable source of specialist expertise to support future scientific effort both in the field generally and also potentially enhancing Centre staff capability. P. Successful collaborations using the resources of the Centre include the wide use of the photographic collection as an educational resource and source of images to illustrate publications as well as the recent ‘Art and the Bryophyte’ venture which culminated in a very successful exhibition at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Q. After reviewing the provisions of the current Agreement and 2008 Board papers as well as meeting with the Board Chair, Board members and Director of the Australian National Botanic Gardens the panel felt that the effectiveness of the Centre could be enhanced by strengthened governance arrangements particularly: more external input to Board deliberations; more frequent and strategically focused meetings and clearer links with the ANBG. R. While considerable effort has gone into addressing the issues raised and recommendations from the previous review of the Centre, some matters raised remain outstanding. S. Greater recognition should be provided within the Centre for scientists who contribute to policy development. T. The Centre should continue to develop and encourage application of its research, through mechanisms such as Taxon profiles and related outreach. 3 Recommendations: R1. The Director of National Parks and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation should negotiate renewal of the joint venture for a period of ten years, with financial support maintained at a minimum of 1999 levels, in real terms. R2. An Annual Report for the Centre should be prepared and consideration given to joint publication with the Australian National Botanic Gardens. R3. The Board and management of the Centre should review the scope and clarify the strategic direction of the Centre activities. R4. That any unresolved issues arising from the staff survey should be considered and if possible resolved by the management team at the Centre. R5. The Centre should increase the critical mass of specialist scientific research staff by at least the equivalent of two new ongoing salaried positions to secure capabilities for the medium to long term. R6. The Centre should explore longer-term opportunities to integrate the Herbarium with other relevant research collections. R7. The Centre should be clearly identified