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Abstract
Sustainable food production depends on well
functioning agro-biological ecosystems: a diversity
of living organisms—the biodiversity—plays a
critical role in the function of these ecosystems,
particularly in the way in which biotic and abiotic
processes shape agricultural productivity and
sustainability. Biological collections are the repository
for this biodiversity information and there is a
strong track record of the knowledge generated
from these collections improving sustainable food
production and ultimately food security. However,
the way these collections are used, and indeed
what they are comprised of, is undergoing rapid
change. The collections themselves are moving
from repositories of our flora and fauna to warehouses
of species data, spatial ecosystem
models, digital images, tissues, genetic sequences
and information. Furthermore, our tools
include genomics and informatics which provide
an explosion of information that we now can mine
in new ways we have never been able to do
before. One example is the Atlas of Living Australia
that will bring together all relevant biological
knowledge of Australia’s biota. But we need to do
more, including using automation to harvest new
knowledge and insights. It is critical that our
science remains at the forefront with our collections
being connected at a global level if we are to
make a genuine difference. It will be a challenge
to fund what is required, but we need to remember
that what we are talking about is life on earth.
There are exciting opportunities to more effectively
manage and value our biodiversity as well
as deliver biosecurity to maintain our productivity
and prosperity as a nation. Our national efforts
can also contribute to global solutions to challenges
such as food security and environment
degradation.