Small Collections Grant
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Digitization and Implementation of improvements in the collection of cryptogamic plants at the Cryptogamic Herbarium of the University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka
Database, Digitally image, Process backlog, Conserve
Cost (USD):
2000
BOTP
Department of Botany, faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya
Objective:
The main aims of the cryptogamic herbarium at the University of Peradeniya are to increase the herbarium collection by mounting and annotating the specimens of cryptogamic plants, organizing the collection for assembly, database the backlog specimens, process and digitizing the backlog of specimens, making the records of Sri Lankan cryptogamic plants available on an online platform, improve the storage conditions of the existing collection of cryptogamic plants, incorporate the properly identified collections of cryptogamic plants in teaching and learning at the school and university level.
Timetable:
Activity & time period
1. Sampling (1st-6th month of the year)
-field visit to montane and lowland forest ecosystems that are abundant with cryptogamic plants to collect the specimens
2. Identification of the specimens (1st month-9th month of the year)
-thorough morphological survey for specimen identification
-DNA barcoding for the species that are difficult to identify based on morphological characters
3. Mounting and annotating the specimens (1st month-9th month of the year)
-drying the plants
-mounting dried specimens on acid-free heavy paper
-preparation of annotation slips
4. Storage and organizing the specimens (10th month-12th month of the year)
- storing herbarium sheets in labelled folders within airtight cabinets
-Labelling and organizing
-installation of a hygrothermograph to monitor temperature and humidity
- improvements to the physical collections including repairing the damaged specimens
5.Databasing and digitizing the information (7th month -12th month of the year)
-imaging
-keystroking label data into the database
-creating a website for the herbarium
6. Awareness programmes on the conservation of cryptogamic plants in Sri Lanka (10th month-12th month)
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:
A thorough morphological survey will be carried out to identify the unidentified specimens and confirm the identity of the already identified specimens. Relevant monographs, taxonomic keys, and books will be purchased for the taxonomic identification of the specimens. Dried specimens of cryptogamic plants will be properly mounted and correctly annotated with the necessary information. Herbarium specimens will be stored and organized in labeled folders within airtight cabinets. The information related to the collected specimens will be databased. High-quality images of the herbarium specimens will be captured. Label data will be keystroked into the database and the data sets will be uploaded once they are completed. Label data of the specimens will be transcribed into standardized formats in the digitization process. A website will be created for the BOTP Herbarium to make the records publicly available. Data will be linked to a larger repository such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to make them more widely available. The specimen collection will be stored and maintained properly in the storage cabinets of the herbarium. The herbarium collection will act as a source of research material and an inspirational resource for the teaching and learning of students of the University of Peradeniya.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Sumudu
Applicant Last Name/s: