Small Collections Grant
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A Comprehensive Digitization and documentation of the Eastern Himalayan Flora at the North Bengal University Herbarium (NBU), India
India
Database, Curate specimens, Digitally image, Process backlog
Cost (USD):
2999
NBU
University of Norh Bengal
Objective:
• To prepare documentation of endemic, rare and threatened flora of the Eastern Himalaya.
• To digitize selected plant specimens of North Bengal University Herbarium (NBU) through high-resolution imaging and standardized data capture.
• To update plant names according to accepted taxonomic standards (POWO, IPNI, ICN) and to standardize data in accordance with international herbarium.
• To facilitate open access to digitized herbarium data that supports taxonomists, conservationists and students that strengthen floristic research in this region.
Timetable:
Time Schedule for the above project giving quarter-wise monitorable targets:
This proposed project viz. A Comprehensive Digitization and documentation of the Eastern Himalayan Flora at the North Bengal University Herbarium (NBU), India can be completed within the time frame of 1.5 years as per following break up.
Field Collection & species identification (1-6 Month)
• Random collections of plant samples (vegetative and reproductive parts) from selected study areas.
• To carry out preliminary identification using literature and online platforms.
Herbarium Preparation & Barcoding (7-12 Month)
• After identification to prepare standard herbarium specimens by following steps: Pressing, drying, mounting on herbarium sheets, poisoning, Proper labelling (scientific name, family, collector, date, locality etc.).
• Cross-checking with authenticated herbarium specimens and various updated literature and floras.
Digitization, Database Development & Knowledge Dissemination (13-18 Month)
• High-resolution scanning with proper online digitalization of herbarium specimen and barcode data to develop an accessible digital database for researchers, students and plant taxonomic lovers.
Scoring Rubric
Reviewer's name:
Collection Improvement (max. 120 points)
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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.
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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.
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Curating specimens (e.g., updating families, species identification, identifying types) – up to 20 points.
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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.
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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)
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Match between the proposed budget and methods for the aims described – up to 10 points.
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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.
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Sharing duplicate specimens with other herbaria – up to 10 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
Broader Impacts (max. 40 points)
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Degree of regional importance of the collection or the taxonomic importance of the targeted collection – up to 10 points.
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The project will yield durable benefits (specimens, digitized metadata, databases, websites) – up to 15 points.
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The project involves outreach/mentoring and broad dissemination – up to 15 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
0
Year of last successful SCG application:
Has applicant applied for SCG before?:
Yes, but it was unsuccessful
Plan:
The grant provides us financial assistance for the filled collections, technical support, methodological guidance and empower early-career researchers, local collaborators, and community-based collectors to participate in scientifically rigorous process. The grant conditions prioritize collections that fill major knowledge gaps in taxonomically under studied groups, endemic flora, economically important plant species and keystone species in this region. The collection activity must follow standardized herbarium specimen preparation procedures, GPS-tagged geo-referencing, habitat and ecological information, and high-resolution imaging for long-term digital archiving. A transparent data-submission to the herbarium, and each specimen undergoes validation by NBU herbarium curators before integration into the Digital Herbaria database.
The Eastern Himalaya is one of the world’s most significant biodiversity hotspots, much of its floristic wealth remains inadequately documented, inaccessible and vulnerable.
The North Bengal University Herbarium (NBU) is an extensive and historically important repository of plant specimens from this region, many of exist in physical form and faced risk of deterioration and underutilization for researchers. The lack of standardized documentation, and limited digitization, severely restricts their use for taxonomic research, biodiversity conservation, and studies in climate-change. This project seeks to address these challenges by creating a high-qua
Institution:
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Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Monoranjan Chowdhury
Monoranjan Chowdhury
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