Small Collections Grant
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Digitization and Conservation of the Fungal Collection of the QAP Herbarium for its Preservation and Global Access - Quito, Ecuador
Ecuador
Database, Digitally image, Process backlog, Conserve
Cost (USD):
1994
QAP
Universidad Central del Ecuador
Objective:
- Digitize approximately 7.000 fungal specimens from the QAP herbarium, including photographs and metadata, for publication on MyCoPortal (https://www.mycoportal.org/portal/).
- Optimize the preservation conditions of the specimens by storing them under appropriate conditions, using suitable materials such as paper envelopes, zipper bags, and labels.
- Facilitate global access to the collection for researchers and the general public, contributing to the conservation of native and endangered species in Ecuador.
Timetable:
- Month 1: The project will begin with the transfer of funding, acquisition of necessary materials (e.g., Ziploc bags, paper envelopes, labels), and recruitment of undergraduate students to assist in the project.
- Months 2-4: The team will focus on processing and reorganizing the fungal specimens. This includes transferring specimens to Ziploc bags, placing them in paper envelopes, and attaching printed labels with detailed information.
- Months 4-6: The digitization phase will take place, using a Canon Rebel T7 camera and an LED lightbox to capture high-quality images of each specimen. This phase will also involve entering metadata into the database.
- Months 6-9: The final phase will involve uploading the digitized data to Symbiota and linking it to MyCoPortal, making the collection globally accessible.
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
Year of last successful SCG application:
Has applicant applied for SCG before?:
Plan:
To achieve the proposed objectives, a structured plan will be implemented in four key phases:
- Digitization: High-resolution images of approximately 7.000 fungal specimens will be captured using a professional camera. Associated metadata (code, location, taxonomy, and other details) will be recorded in a database integrated into MyCoPortal, ensuring accessibility and organization.
- Preservation: Appropriate materials, such as paper envelopes, zipper bags, and labels, will be acquired to replace the current storage materials (plastic bags and kraft paper), thereby optimizing the storage and preservation conditions of the specimens.
- Processing: Undergraduate Biology students, under the supervision of the laboratory director and technical staff, will carry out the processing and organization of the specimens, ensuring their proper cataloging and conservation.
- Dissemination: The digitized collection will be published on MyCoPortal, providing global access for researchers and the general public. Additionally, student research based on the collection will be encouraged, contributing to the conservation of Ecuador's fungi.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Paúl Gamboa Trujillo
Applicant Last Name/s: