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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.
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Advancing Online Data Availability, Collection Management, and Specimen Exchange Networks at SORO Herbarium

fiorella@ufscar.br

Brazil

Digitally image, Process backlog, Conserve

Cost (USD): 

3000

SORO

Universidade Federal de São Carlos, campus Sorocaba

Objective:

1) Process and digitize high-resolution imagery for at least 3,000 specimens, ensuring global accessibility via the speciesLink platform.
2) Enhance the long-term preservation of the collection by stabilizing environmental conditions through specialized maintenance of the climate control system (HVAC).
3) Resolve the curatorial backlog of aa. 2,000 specimens from the biodiversity-rich Atlantic Forest region (Cunha, SP).
4) Distribute duplicates to partner herbaria through exchange networks.

Timetable:

High-resolution image processing: Month 1 up to Month 12

Online data & image dissemination: Month 1 up to Month 12

HVAC system preventive maintenance: Month 4 and Month 8

Backlog curation and processing: Month 4 up to Month 9

Distribution of duplicates (Exchange): Month 7 up to Month 12

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.

  • 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)

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  • 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)

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  • 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

0

Year of last successful SCG application:

Has applicant applied for SCG before?:

Yes, but it was unsuccessful

Plan:

To meet the proposed objectives, the project will follow a coordinated four-pillar strategy:

1. Digitalization and Image Processing (Target 1): With the acquisition of a high-performance computer and 8TB storage, we will eliminate the current processing bottleneck. High-resolution RAW files already captured will be processed using specialized software to generate high-quality derivatives. These will be integrated with our database and uploaded to the speciesLink and GBIF networks.

2. Infrastructure Stability (Target 2): We will contract specialized technical services for the preventive maintenance of the HVAC system. This includes deep cleaning, gas recharge, and sensor calibration to maintain a stable microclimate (20°C; 45-50% RH), essential for preventing fungal growth and pest infestations in the collection.

3. Backlog Resolution (Target 3): Using the requested curatorial supplies (archival paper and folders), a team of trained undergraduate students will mount and label 2,000 specimens from the Cunha region. This material will then be digitized and incorporated into the main collection.

4. Exchange and Networking (Target 4): Once processed, duplicates will be sorted and packed using professional-grade materials to ensure safe transport. We will initiate shipping to partner institutions, prioritizing those with active exchange programs, thereby expanding SORO’s institutional visibility and scientific collaboration.

Institution:

IH Code:

Country:

Target areas:

Applicant First Name/s:

email:

Distribute duplicates to other herbaria

"Other" target:

Fiorella

Mazine Capelo

Applicant Last Name/s:

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