Small Collections Grant
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Securing and Standardizing the Herbario Velascoensis (HVES): Archival Curation and Conservation of the Vascular Flora of the Sierra de Velasco
Argentina
Curate specimens, Conserve
Cost (USD):
2870
HVES
CONICET – CRILAR (Centro Regional de Investigaciones y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja)
Objective:
The primary objective of this project is to consolidate and optimize the Herbario Velascoensis (HVES) through archival-quality mounting, standardized storage, and preventive conservation of approximately 800 vascular plant specimens representing nearly 300 species across the 1,000–4,200 m altitudinal gradient of the Sierra de Velasco. The project focuses on long-term preservation, accessibility, and compliance with international herbarium standards.
Timetable:
Months 1–2: Procurement of archival materials and fabrication of sealed cabinets.
Months 3–6: Mounting, labeling, accessioning, and rehousing of specimens.
Months 7–9: Installation of cabinets and implementation of preventive conservation protocols..
Months 10–12: Quality control, environmental assessment, and final reporting.
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:
The Sierra de Velasco represents one of the least systematically curated floristic regions of northwestern Argentina. Although recent surveys have documented nearly 300 species spanning Monte, Chaco Serrano, Prepuna–Puna, Altoandina environments, and humid grasslands with Yungas affinities, the collection is currently housed provisionally. The absence of archival mounting materials, acid-free storage systems, and sealed cabinetry exposes specimens to risks from humidity fluctuations, insect pests, light exposure, and mechanical damage. Immediate intervention is required to stabilize and secure these collections, particularly endemic and high-elevation taxa of high conservation value.
Funds will prioritize cotton, acid-free herbarium mounting paper; archival folders; neutral pH adhesives; standardized labels; and sealed metal herbarium cabinets fabricated locally. Preventive conservation will include digital thermo-hygrometers for environmental monitoring, integrated pest management supplies, and passive humidity buffers (silica gel). These actions directly address preservation risks and will transition HVES from provisional storage to professionally curated status in accordance with international best practices.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Juan Leandro Garcia Massini
Juan Leandro Garcia Massini
Applicant Last Name/s: