Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
The Royal Botanic Gardens is a Botanical garden near the centre of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on the south bank of the Yarra River. It constitutes 354,000 square metres of landscaped garden.
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Governance and history
The gardens are governed under the Royal Botanic Gardens Act of 1991 by the Board of the Royal Botanic Gardens, who are responsible to the Minister for Environment.
In 1846 Charles La Trobe selected the site for the Royal Botanic Gardens from marshland and swamp.
In 1857 the first director was Ferdinand von Mueller, who created the National Herbarium of Victoria and brought in many plants.
In 1873 William Guilfoyle became Director and changed the style of the Gardens to something more like the picturesque gardens that were around at that time. He added tropical and temperate plants.
Major projects
A major project at the Botanic Gardens over the past three years has been the building of the 5,000 square metre Ian Potter Children's Garden for children of all ages and abilities. The Ian Potter Children's Garden is based in South Yarra, off the main site.
Horticulture
Living collections at the Botanic Gardens include Australian Rainforest Walk, California Gardens, Cacti and Succulents, Camelias, Cycad Collection, Eucalypts, Fern Gully, Grey Garden, Herb Garden, Long Island, New Caledonia Collection, New Zealand Collection, Oaks, Perennial Border, Roses, Southern Chinese Collection, Tropical Display-Glasshouse, Viburnum Collection and Water Conservation Garden.
These plant groups have been chosen for their value, rarity, diversity and interest.
Plant science
Since its earliest days, the Royal Botanic Gardens is involved in plant research and identification. This is done primarily through the Library, the Herbarium and the release of publications about specific plants as well as the journal Mulleria, which is a scientific representation of the work done in the Gardens in any one year.
More recently, the Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology has been established to look at plants which grow in urban environments specifically.
Education and visitor information
Problems at the Botanic Gardens
Important problems for the Botanic Gardens have included unwanted plant and animal life which interferes significantly with the management of the gardens. There are also problems with water conservation.
Beginning in 2002, the Royal Botanic Gardens has had significant problems managing an increasing population of flying foxes. It culminated in damaged trees and habitat. The Royal Botanic Gardens managed this by moving the flying foxes to Horseshoe Bend in Ivanhoe, and by disturbing the flying foxes and providing a familiar environment.
In regard to weeds-always a problem with a botanic gardens of this size-the Botanic Gardens developed a strategic plan in 2004 to minimise weed infestations by educating the public and management, and to help conserve the indigenious and other species.
External links
- RBG website (http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/home_page)
- Disability information (http://www.accessibility.com.au/melbourne/garden/bot_gard.htm)
