Small Collections Grant
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Small herbariums as a learning tool: Virtual Herbarium FCO (University of Oviedo, Spain) as an example
Spain
Database, Digitally image, Process backlog
Cost (USD):
2000
FCO
University of Oviedo
Objective:
Virtual herbaria are a source of information on the biodiversity that surrounds us. Its potential use in learning implies a redesign of educational experiences. As an example, a new online botanical resource, the Virtual Herbarium FCO (University of Oviedo) that collects information and a wide gallery of images of the flora of Asturias (north of Spain) and neighboring territories. The Virtual Herbarium can be consulted online, however, the infrastructure available is scarce and we would like to improve our resources and the dissemination of information.
Timetable:
The materials of FCO Herbarium are collected in boxes, deposited in compact mobile metal cabinets inside a cold chamber at 4-5ºC. These materials are separated into sections with independent numbering: 36925 vascular plants, 11333 bryophytes, 1372 algae and 230 lichens.
FCO Virtual Herbarium has been structured in pages for each species treated (https://herbario.uniovi.es/fco). The schedule shown below shows the activity and timetable for the coming years 2021-2022:
• Digitization of Holotypus-Isotypus (2 months–2021)
• Digitization of algae, bryophytes, lichens (1 year–2021)
• Digitization of ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms (1 year–2022)
• Descriptive information for each taxon (2 years–2021 and 2022)
• Updating and Reviewing Information (2 years–2021 and 2022)
• Web maintenance and improvements (3 months–2021)
• Disclosure of the virtual platform (conferences, social networks, science week, etc.) (1 year–2022).
Being aware that the teaching-learning of plant biodiversity, currently requires online data, we guide our progress in the ambitious project of developing a "Virtual Herbarium", which facilitates students learning the plant biodiversity of the European Atlantic region.
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:
Botany is a science-based largely on the observation, description and interpretation of the different aspects related to the organisms, so practical teachings are a basic pillar in the teaching methodology of the subject. Small herbaria are often regional in scope and contain fewer specimens than larger herbaria with a national or global scope, and regional herbaria are frequently defined by an ecological or taxonomic specialty as well as a geographic focus. It has been demonstrated that small herbaria contribute unique information for research and we must prioritize digitization and data sharing from herbaria of all sizes.
This project is based on three main objectives:
• Increase the digitization of small and rarely visited herbaria: The advent of specimen digitization means that the logistical advantage of large vs. small herbaria is diminished because a researcher can often identify specimens of interest without visiting or necessarily contacting each individual herbarium.
• Generate a virtual learning tool for students of Botany and related sciences: A block of great relevance in the teaching innovation project has been the VISU section (see https://herbario.uniovi.es/visu).
• Improve the resources of a herbarium that does not have specific funds with the purchase of elemental material (i.e. scanners, cameras, and other accessory materials).
Institution:
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Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Eduardo Cires Rodríguez
Applicant Last Name/s: