Small Collections Grant
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Digitization of Type and other important specimens of the fungal collection in the Herbarium Luis Fournier Origgi (USJ), University of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica
Digitally image, Other
Cost (USD):
1985
USJ
Herbarium Luis Fournier Origgi (USJ), University of Costa Rica.
Objective:
The USJ Herbarium is part of the University of Costa Rica. It currently holds ca. 18,500 specimens of macro/microfungi, lichens, and myxomycetes from Costa Rica and Central America. This project aims to digitize and get high-resolution images of the type specimens (ca. 300) and other significant specimens of the fungal collection (ca. 800). The final goal is to compile the data and images into online databases (our website and Mycoportal) to increase public access and use of the collection. This is the initial phase of a medium-term project that aims to digitize the complete fungal collection.
Timetable:
The project is planned to be carried out in an 18-month period. Once the digitization of the type and additional specimens is finished, the idea is to use the imaging system to digitize the remaining specimens of the fungal collection (ca. 18.000 specimens) and the algae and bryophyte collections.
Month 1:
1. Set up and assembly of the digitization/imaging station and equipment calibration. The station will comprise a digital camera adapted to a custom-made copy stand with a LED lighting system connected to a computer.
2. Training the students in handling the equipment, capturing the high-resolution images, and metadata digitization.
Months 2 to 14:
1. Get high-resolution images, digitization, and metadata capture of the specimens. The goal is to digitize and update ca. 15-20 specimens per week. For this task, we depend on the university's student assistantship, which is six hours per week.
2. Periodical verification of images by the curator.
Months 14 to 18:
1. Database on Specify, nomenclature, and taxonomic update by the curator.
2. The images and metadata will be made publicly available on the USJ website and in Mycoportal (https://mycoportal.org/portal/index.php).
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:
Among Central American herbaria, USJ holds the second-largest fungal collection and the most type specimens. It includes significant collections of ectomycorrhizal, wood-decay, plant-parasitic and poorly known fungi.
During the past 3 years, we cataloged and curated the type collection. An exhaustive literature search was done, and the specimens were moved to a separate collection. So far, 287 type specimens have been located. Also, ca. 800 additional specimens, including valuable exsiccates, contemporary specimens with DNA sequences, or from poorly known groups, were selected to be digitized together with the type collection during the project's initial phase. All the specimens were restored, and their metadata verified. The next step is to digitize and get high-resolution images of the specimens, which depends on the acquisition of photography equipment that is not currently available in the USJ.
The digitization process would begin with the assembly and calibration of the imaging station and students' training. Digitization and metadata capture would be performed by students. The curator would verify image quality, specimen records, and update nomenclature and taxonomic information. The images and metadata will be publicly available using the Specify system, hosted in the USJ website, and published on the Mycoportal website, an international mycological data portal, to make the collection accessible to be consulted and the metadata available to be used.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
Online publication of the digital fungal collection of type specimens
"Other" target:
Melissa Mardones Hidalgo
Applicant Last Name/s: