Small Collections Grant
This page is used to provide assessment scores for each grant application assigned to you. Please use the rubric below the grant details to enter your assessment scores and any notes you wish to include.
Please note that all scores entered must be whole numbers (no decimals), or you will be unable to save this form.
Improving Global Access to Laboulbeniomycetes: Digitalization and Enhancement of a unique Mycological Heritage of Argentina
Argentina
Database, Digitally image, Conserve
Cost (USD):
2000
LPS
Mycology division “Spegazzini Institute”, Museo of La Plata (FCNyM - UNLP)
Objective:
1- Improve the Laboulbeniomycetes collection, through the “Student Training Program of the Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo”.
2- Identify problems such as deterioration of preparations and plates in archival-quality conservation containers.
3- Digitize high-quality images of the described microscopic preparations and negatives on glass plates by Carlos Spegazzini.
4- Generate a standardized database that integrates label information and associated bibliography.
5-Allow access to the collection through institutional platforms (Specify) and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
Timetable:
2025 - Project timeline
Stage 1: Call for and Dissemination of the project (Apr)
The call for and dissemination of the project will be carried out for the Student Training Program of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museology. This project aims to train students in conservation techniques and management of mycological collections.
Stage 2: Preparation and Conservation (May-Sep)
The preparation of the specimens will be carried out. This will include reviewing the state of the collection to identify problems such as damaged labels and fragile media, cleaning and conditioning the specimens and collecting associated data, such as labels and bibliography.
Stage 3: Digitization and Creation of the Database (Aug-Oct)
The digitalization of images will be carried out by scanning and photographing the specimens. A standardized database will be developed and the data and metadata will be validated.
Stage 4: Data visualisation and presentation of results (Nov-Dec)
This will include the publication of the data on the institutional platforms SPECIFY and GBIF. It will also include the preparation of the final report and the dissemination of the results on social media.
Scoring Rubric
Reviewer's name:
Collection Improvement (max. 120 points)
-
Facilitating access to the physical collections by digitization (e.g., data entry, setting up database structure with an outline of the platform to be used, purchasing equipment, and imaging specimens) – up to 30 points.
-
Enhancing physical collections by improving the conservation status of specimens in the herbarium (e.g., better folders, protecting covers, mounting paper, labeling, etc.) – up to 30 points.
-
Curating specimens (e.g., updating families, species identification, identifying types) – up to 20 points.
-
Increasing our understanding of the flora or funga by making new herbarium specimens available, such as processing of backlog or collecting and mounting of new specimens from understudied sites – up to 20 points.
-
Securing collections by distribution of duplicates (or orphan collections) to other regional or international herbaria or shipping endangered collections to another herbarium – up to 20 points.
This proposal scores:
/120
Methods & Funding (max. 40 points)
-
Match between the proposed budget and methods for the aims described – up to 10 points.
-
Perceived need, the extent to which the project will benefit from IAPT funding: e.g., due to active floristic work or contribution to poorly collected sites, due to threatened conditions of collections, and for the degree of involvement of others (outreach and education). We give more points for herbaria in low- and middle-income countries – up to 20 points.
-
Sharing duplicate specimens with other herbaria – up to 10 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
Broader Impacts (max. 40 points)
-
Degree of regional importance of the collection or the taxonomic importance of the targeted collection – up to 10 points.
-
The project will yield durable benefits (specimens, digitized metadata, databases, websites) – up to 15 points.
-
The project involves outreach/mentoring and broad dissemination – up to 15 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
Year of last successful SCG application:
Has applicant applied for SCG before?:
Plan:
1- Presentation of the project to the Student Training Program of the Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo.
2- Through an initial diagnosis, around 1500 specimens will be classified according to their state of conservation, identifying: dust, stains, deterioration or illegible labels, leaks of the mounting medium and physical damage. The preparations and negatives on glass plates will be cleaned using isopropanol to remove grease and surface residues. Damaged specimens will be transferred to archival containers on acid-free paper to ensure their conservation and prevent manipulation. Each specimen will be associated with an LPS together with a barcode (or qR).
3- The digitalization of images of the microscopic preparations will be carried out using a Leica Aperio LV1 equipment (optical zoom 40x). The images of the negatives on glass plates will be photographed using a negatoscope. Images in JPG or TIFF format will be backed up on external disks. Each image will have a unique identifier.
4- The standardized database (compatible with DwC) will contain information on: unique identifiers, labels (collector, date, location, taxonomy), bibliographic references and links to the images.
5- Access to the collection will be through the institutional web portal (Specify), currently available to users. This allows data and images to be consulted through advanced searches and specific filters. A data set will be published in GBIF.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Fabricio Emanuel Valdés
Applicant Last Name/s: