Small Collections Grant
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ENHANCEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC QUALITY, CONSERVATION, AND ACCESS TO THE REGIONAL COLLECTION OF THE ANDERS FREDRIK REGNELL HERBARIUM (AFR), MINAS GERAIS, SO
Brazil
Database, Curate specimens, Digitally image, Process backlog, Ship to another institution, Conserve, Other
Cost (USD):
1807
AFR
Fundação Jardim Botânico de Poços de Caldas, Herbário Anders Fredrik Regnell (AFR)
Objective:
The primary objective of this project is to significantly enhance the scientific quality, physical conservation, accessibility, and long-term impact of the Anders Fredrik Regnell (AFR) Herbarium, a regional reference collection in southeastern Brazil that safeguards historically and taxonomically important specimens from the Atlantic Forest hotspot. By strengthening both the physical and digital infrastructure of AFR, this project will consolidate its role as a strategic repository for biodiversity knowledge, particularly for threatened ecosystems such as the Campos de Altitude.
Timetable:
The 12-month project initiates with acquisition of a color calibration target and validation of the digitization workflow to ensure chromatic accuracy and reproducibility (Month 1). From Months 2–12, efforts concentrate on physical conservation of priority specimens through remounting, archival replacement, and storage improvements. Concurrent backlog processing includes taxonomic updates, identification verification, and standardized databasing. Botanical collections will be expanded in under-sampled areas, with preparation of new specimens. Digitization of curated specimens proceeds from Months 2–12, integrating high-resolution images and metadata into online platforms (Jabot, Reflora, speciesLink). Duplicate specimens are prepared and distributed to partner herbaria (Months 4–12). Finally, educational and outreach materials based on AFR collections are developed (Months 8–12) to enhance public engagement and disseminate regional biodiversity knowledge.
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?:
No
Plan:
The project aims to: enhance the physical conservation and curation of priority collections through remounting, replacement of archival materials, taxonomic updates, type verification, and standardized data management to ensure long-term preservation and scientific reliability; digitize priority specimens using standardized imaging protocols that guarantee high-resolution output and chromatic fidelity, integrating images and metadata into national and international biodiversity platforms to enable open access, remote research, and global data interoperability; improve collection security and scientific collaboration by distributing duplicate specimens to partner herbaria, thereby strengthening research networks and safeguarding vulnerable specimens against local risks; advance knowledge of the regional flora by processing uncurated specimens and prioritizing material from under-collected areas and threatened habitats, particularly the Campos de Altitude, contributing to floristic, taxonomic, and conservation research; and develop educational and outreach materials emphasizing threatened and regionally endemic species, promoting environmental education, student mentoring, and broader dissemination of biodiversity knowledge to society.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
Expand botanical collections in local vegetation types that remain poorly known, and broadly disseminate the resulting d
"Other" target:
Jerônimo
Schultz da Silva
Applicant Last Name/s: