Small Collections Grant
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Maintenance and Digitization of the UCBD Herbarium
India
Database, Digitally image, Conserve
Cost (USD):
2000
UCBD
University College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Objective:
1. Specimen Re-mounting – To re-mount at least 8,000 herbarium specimens onto new sheets, replacing the old, deteriorated ones to ensure long-term preservation.
2. Database Development – To create a comprehensive digital database of the herbarium specimens.
3. Specimen Digitization – To scan at least 5,000 herbarium specimens and assign unique barcodes for digital archiving and identification.
4. Software Integration – To develop a specialized software system that links the specimen database with barcode records, facilitating efficient accession and retrieval of herbarium collections.
Timetable:
1. Appointment of Personnel (Within 1 month of receiving funding)
o A data entry operator with a botanical background will be appointed to manage database creation.
o A personnel with relevant experience will be hired for barcode generation, specimen scanning, and database integration.
2. Database Creation (2 to 6 months)
o Data entry and validation will be carried out systematically to ensure accuracy and completeness.
o The finalized database will serve as the foundation for integrating barcode and specimen records.
3. Software Development (Within 2 months)
o An experienced external agency will be contracted to develop a customized software system.
o The software will be designed to seamlessly link the database with specimen records and barcodes for efficient accession and retrieval.
4. Barcode Generation and Specimen Scanning (2 to 6 months)
o At least 5,000 specimens will be scanned, catalogued, and integrated into the database.
This structured approach ensures that all project objectives are met efficiently, leading to the successful modernization and preservation of the University College Herbarium (UCBD) while enhancing accessibility for research and education.
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:
The University College Herbarium, Thiruvananthapuram, established in 1920, is one of the oldest and largest herbaria in South India. Recognized by the Botanical Survey of India, it houses rare specimens, with the oldest dating back to 1887. Organized by Bentham and Hooker’s classification, it includes 200 plant families, plant pathology, and pteridophytes. Eminent botanists have contributed to its development. Previously known by the acronym UCT, its long period of inactivity led to its obsolescence. Recently, the herbarium was assigned a new acronym, UCBD, by the Kew Botanical Garden, England.
Plan to meet the objectives
Specimen Remounting - The herbarium keeper, with the assistance of students, will carefully re-mount at least 8,000 herbarium specimens onto new sheets.
Data base development - A data entry operator with a botanical background will be appointed to compile and systematically organize the herbarium data into a digital database.
Specimen Digitization and Barcode incorporation -Experienced personnel will be appointed to handle the scanning of at least 5,000 specimens, the generation and assignment of unique barcodes, and the integration of these digital records into the database.
Software Development - A specialized external agency will be engaged to develop the software system that links the database with barcode records, providing a user-friendly interface for efficient accession, search, and retrieval of herbarium specimens.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Laija S Nair
Applicant Last Name/s: