Small Collections Grant
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Improvement, Curation and Digitization of a Fossil Plant Collection at CICYTTP (CONICET-Gob. ER- UADER), Argentina
Argentina
Database, Curate specimens, Digitally image, Process backlog, Conserve, Other
Cost (USD):
3000
DTE
CICYTTP (CONICET-Gob. ER-UADER)
Objective:
Improve the conservation and storage conditions of the fossil plant macrofossil collection through the use of appropriate furniture, labeling, and protective materials, ensuring proper housing and long-term preservation.
Process and curate a backlog of over 200 fossil plant specimens, including deposited material and type material, through standardized accessioning, cataloguing, and taxonomic updating.
Digitize and publish specimen-level metadata and images through GBIF to enhance open access, visibility, and long-term use for research, education, and outreach
Timetable:
Months 1–2: Purchase and installation of metal cabinets and conservation materials (acid-free labels, archival trays, polyethylene foam). Design and implementation of a standardized labeling and accessioning protocol for CIDPALBOmeg.
Months 2–6: Reorganization of already accessioned specimens and processing of over 200 deposited materials. Tasks include taxonomic verification, assignment of unique collection numbers, standardized metadata recording (locality, stratigraphy, collector, preservation type), and integration with associated thin sections housed in CIDPALBOmic.
Months 6–9: High-resolution imaging using a controlled photographic setup (copy stand with four-light system). Image processing, quality control, and metadata standardization according to Darwin Core.
Months 9–12: Database consolidation, data validation, and publication of specimen-level records and images through GBIF. Final evaluation of workflows to ensure long-term sustainability and continued digitization beyond the grant period.
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:
This project will strategically reposition DTE–CIDPALBOmeg as a nationally and internationally accessible paleobotanical reference collection. The collection preserves scientifically critical material, including 39 species holotypes and 18 genus holotypes from the Paraná Basin, yet its full research potential remains unrealized due to infrastructure and digitization limitations. Targeted funding at this stage will produce immediate and measurable impact.
First, we will secure long-term physical preservation by installing high-capacity metal storage units and archival conservation materials that meet collection best practices. Second, we will eliminate a backlog of more than 200 specimens through standardized accessioning, assignment of permanent identifiers, taxonomic verification, and integration of megafossils with their associated thin sections in CIDPALBOmic, ensuring complete specimen traceability. Third, we will implement a rigorous digitization workflow, standardized imaging, Darwin Core–compliant database structure, and quality control, and publish specimen-level records and images through GBIF.
By combining conservation, curation, and open-data publication, this project will transform a regionally significant fossil archive into an internationally visible, research-ready collection. The intervention will safeguard irreplaceable paleobotanical heritage and integrate northeastern Argentina’s macrofossil record into the global biodiversity data infrastructure.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
María Jimena
Franco
Applicant Last Name/s: