The studies carried out at the ISE-M in the fields of biology, bio-archaeology, and palaeontology often rely on specimens or samples from our research collections. These collections include the historical collection of the Montpellier University and are regularly augmented by research projects undertaken by the members of the institute or French and foreign collaborators. These naturalistic collections constitute an invaluable heritage, particularly because of the major concerns linked to the current erosion of biodiversity. The collections facility aims to create a knowledge-sharing network on the administration, conservation, and enhancement of the ISE-M collections in order to standardize management practices of its various research collections. To this end, it offers practical solutions and methodological support to staff in charge of a collection (researchers, lecturers, technical staff and PhD students) that wish to find sustainable solutions to inventory and conserve their study material.
The facility, which is also responsible for the administrative monitoring of the shipping of CITES material (animal and plant species protected under the Washington Convention), supports the ISE-M members in their procedures with the DREAL Occitanie, within the framework of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS). Finally, the facility cooperates with the University of Montpellier and other supervisory bodies to promote the heritage value of these collections (visits, access for consultation, loans, donations, etc.).
