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.
Digitizing images from the botanical collection of the BMA herbarium
as a means to improve curation
Brazil
Digitally image
Cost (USD):
1887
BMA
Federal University of Maranhão
Objective:
The main purpose of an image collection of plant parts (exsicate) is to provide a means of identifying species by comparing local samples with remote images of samples in herbariums. In addition, it makes it possible to open the collection online, freely, to anyone who needs it.
This project intends to acquire photographic material to make the images of the 2425 specimens available online, and to facilitate the access of researchers to the collection, allowing more precise identification of the species and a reliable use of the information.
Timetable:
After receiving the email informing you that the BMA herbarium project has been selected, we will start selecting the permanent materials - barcode reader, camera, hand scanner and bag to store the camera - and consumables - cardboard paper and foil kraft – which will be acquired.
After the acquisition of permanent and consumable materials, an intern will be guided on how to digitize the images; this intern will also be responsible for checking the condition of the specimens before photographing them. The entire process will be supervised by the curator of the BMA herbarium.
The specimens will be digitized by botanical family, in ascending alphabetical order. Weekly the curator will insert the images in the SpeciesLink network. It is expected that around 135 specimens will be digitized per month for 18 months. In addition, new collections will only be incorporated into the collection after the images are digitized.
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:
The BMA herbarium is located in the interior of the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, and has a collection of around 3000 fallen specimens. Currently, this collection is available on the SpeciesLink network with 2425 specimens, but no image is available, which makes it difficult for specialists to access information on the collection, since many species may have their identification outdated.
Accordingly, the BMA herbarium plans to provide images of the entire collection on the SpeciesLink network. To this end, an intern at the herbarium will be responsible for photographing and scanning the specimens in the collection, always supervised by the curator, and subsequently inserting them into a network.
In this way, when inserting images virtually, the herbarium benefits through corrections or updates of its database by people who cannot visit the herbarium. Consequently, local curation will be improved, as the collection will be fully available on a broader basis than is available at the institution.
As a result, the BMA herbarium may contribute to improving information on the distribution of a given plant; about the activities of collectors; for regional checklists; and collection of information from various sources on taxonomic groups.
All photographed specimens will be disinfected of fungi and will also be evaluated for conservation. When necessary, card paper, Kraft paper, newspaper will be changed.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Elidio Armando Exposto Guarçoni
Applicant Last Name/s: