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.
Digitization of specimens of the mycological herbarium of the University of Parakou (UNIPAR) in Benin, a strategy towards FAIR principles
Benin
Database, Digitally image, Process backlog, Conserve
Cost (USD):
2000
UNIPAR
Research Unit Tropical Mycology and Plant-Soil Fungi Interactions (MyTIPS), University of Parakou BP 123, Parakou, Benin
Objective:
The mycological herbarium of the University of Parakou (UNIPAR) harbours circa 4500 herbarium specimens that are not yet traceable. All specimens are preserved rather in a traditional way, and are not easily accessible for a large public. The overall aim of this project is to digitize specimens available at UNIPAR. This will be done in 4 different stages namely:
1- Training via zoom of the team involved in the management of UNIPAR materials,
2- Pre-digitization and staging,
3- The capture and processing of specimen images,
4- Electronic data capture and geo-referencing of specimen data
Timetable:
1. Training of team member involved in the management of UNIPAR: 03 - 04/06/2021
The first day: training on collections managment
Second day: trainsing in BGBase and Specify 6 software
2. Pre-digitization and staging 01/06/2021 to 30/12/2021
3. Capturing and processing images of specimens January – February 2022
For this task, an imaging station consisting of a high-resolution camera (Jenoptik Gryphax Progress 20 MPix), attached to a Leica” stereomicroscope and other accessories such as a computer, emote shutter, etc. to be purchased will be used to install the imaging station and to capture images. For image processing, software such as Photoshop, Adobe illustrator, etc. will be used for the image quality control, file conversion, image cropping, color balance or light level adjustments, and image stacking.
4. Electronic data and geo-referencing of specimen data: February to April 2022
The software that will be learned in the first objective will be used for the electronic capture of data on each specimen and to geo-reference them.
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
Year of last successful SCG application:
Has applicant applied for SCG before?:
Plan:
1-
This objective will be achieved through the assistance of the curator of the herbarium of the Botanic Garden Meise for capacity building. Ms. Ann Bogaerts holds a long-standing experience in the management of herbarium materials using software. She will train us on how to use BGBase and Specify 6 software to manage herbarium materials.
2-
This step is essential to efficient digitization and it is made up of the following tasks:
- inspect for and repair specimen damage and evaluate collection health,
- re-pin or remount specimens and replenish or replace preservatives (silica gels bags) in containers,
- treat specimens for pests,
- update nomenclature and taxonomic interpretation,
- attach a unique identifier (barcode) to a specimen, container, or cabinet,
- vet type specimens, and select exemplars for digitization.
The team members of UNIPAR are specialists of several groups of fungi available in this herbarium. This means that with the commitment already demonstrated by all members of our laboratory (http://mytips.leb-up.org/) this activity will be carried out successfully.
3-
We already have a high-resolution camera (Jenoptik Gryphax Progress 20 MPix) and Leica stereomicroscopes. If this grant is awarded to us, the other equipment for having an image station will be purchased and the activity will be carried out.
4-
Aside from our training in software using, the website that our laboratory already has is an asset for us to carry out this activity.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Olou Armel Boris
Applicant Last Name/s: