Part of a series of articles titled Natural History in the National Capital Area.
Article
National Capital Area Natural History - Biology
Biological Collections
Biological collections include plants, fungi, insects and arachnids, reptiles and amphibians, fish, birds, mammals, and other invertebrates. These may include ‘type’ specimens which are used to formally represent new species. When researchers make observations about the park environment, they often collect voucher specimens to verify their observations. If these specimens are not consumed in analysis, they become part of the park’s collection.
Plant Collections
Plant specimens include a wide variety of native and non-native species.
Animals
NPS collections include vertebrate and invertebrate specimens.
Last updated: May 23, 2023