Getting to know the ASE Herbarium through research and extension Marla Ibrahim Uehbe de Oliveira, Marta Cristina Vieira Farias, Gilmara da Silva Freire, Ana Paula do Nascimento Prata

Abstract

The state of Sergipe is the smallest in the federation, having an area that represents less than 2% of the Northeast region of Brazil. Characteristics related to climate, rainfall and altitude define different plant formations. The Herbarium of the Federal University of Sergipe (ASE) was created in 1974 with the aim of recording the State's flora and supporting projects developed at the university. Currently, ASE has more than 38,500 samples, most of which have information available in digital databases. Research actions are not dissociated from the transmission of knowledge to society, and this has been carried out through extension activities. Those related to teaching collections deserve to be highlighted in this article. These activities used plants from the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest Biomes as a way of helping the learning of Botany in Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education in Sergipe. Exsiccates of angiosperms and ornamental and medicinal ferns were made. Dried fruits and explanatory posters about the aforementioned biomes, the ASE Herbarium, and the Flora of Sergipe were reused from previous presentations at scientific events. Exhibitions in schools and at UFS reached an audience of almost 400 people. Monographs by undergraduate students were inspired by the work of ASE researchers, resulting in the creation of playful teaching resources that encourage teamwork and provide a greater understanding of Botany content. It is clear that there are still gaps to be filled, and this is a priority for the ASE Herbarium Team. Projects involving new partnerships are being signed, and the involvement of undergraduate students will always be encouraged, whether through internships or course completion monographs.