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.
Please note that all scores entered must be whole numbers (no decimals), or you will be unable to save this form.
Curation and Digitization of the BRBA Herbarium: Supporting Conservation of the Bahia Cerrado Hotspot
Brazil
Database, Curate specimens, Digitally image, Process backlog, Conserve
Cost (USD):
3000
BRBA
Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia
Objective:
The main goal of this project is to continue the digitization and curation of the BRBA herbarium, enhancing both the physical organization and the online accessibility of its collections, which represent a key floristic record for the highly threatened Cerrado of western Bahia. To achieve this goal, the project will focus on : (1) Digitization, Databasing, and Dissemination; (2) Physical Curation and Conservation of the Collection; (3) Taxonomic Updating and Identification; (4) Collection Security and Distribution of Duplicates with partner herbaria; (5) Capacity Building and Training.
Timetable:
Project Timetable (12 months)
Months 1–3: Acquisition of materials and setup of digitization workflow. Begin mounting backlog specimens (~800 specimens) and start databasing and imaging of undigitized specimens (~3,000 specimens). Training of 3–4 undergraduate and graduate students will begin, with one student selected as primary trainee (scholarship) taking on intensive responsibilities with the curator.
Months 4–6: Continue mounting backlog specimens and databasing/digitization. Begin taxonomic updating for approximately 500 specimens. Rehousing and conservation work starts for ~2,000 specimens. Training of students continues with hands-on activities integrated into daily workflow.
Months 7–9: Continue databasing, imaging, and taxonomic updating. Rehousing and conservation work continues. Begin preparation of duplicate specimens (~400) for distribution to partner herbaria. Ongoing quality control and monitoring of project activities.
Months 10–12: Complete distribution of duplicate specimens. Finalize databasing, imaging, and taxonomic updates. Continue student training and supervision. Perform final data upload to JABOT. Prepare project report and disseminate outcomes.
Scoring Rubric
Reviewer's name:
Collection Improvement (max. 120 points)
-
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)
-
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)
-
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?:
No
Plan:
Digitization, Databasing and Dissemination
Databasing and digitizing approximately 3,000 currently undigitized specimens, making them available through the virtual herbaria; Standardizing metadata and updating taxonomic information according to current family and genus circumscriptions; Disseminating the project and its results through the herbarium’s and UFOB social media account.
Physical Curation and Conservation of the Collection
Mounting approximately 800 specimens that are currently stored in newspapers and not yet incorporated into the main collection; Replacing old and deteriorated mounting sheets, folders, and protective covers for approximately 2,000 specimens, using archival-quality materials to improve long-term preservation; Reorganizing the collection according to updated taxonomic classification.
Taxonomic Updating and Identification
Updating identifications to species level for at least 500 specimens, prioritizing taxonomically diverse groups (e.g., Fabaceae).
Collection Security and Distribution of Duplicates
Preparing and distributing approximately 400 duplicate specimens to partner herbaria, increasing collection security and promoting regional collaboration.
Capacity Building and Training
Training 3–4 undergraduate and graduate students in herbarium techniques. Among them, one student will be selected as the primary trainee (scholarship recipient) and will take on more intensive responsibilities, working closely with the curator.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Juliana Gastaldello
Rando
Applicant Last Name/s: