Small Collections Grant
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Digitization of specimens housed in the Herbarium of the University of Colima
Mexico
Database, Digitally image, Process backlog
Cost (USD):
2000
UCOL
Universidad de Colima
Objective:
• Optimize the digitization process of specimens housed in the UCOL Herbarium.
• Reduce the accumulation of specimens waiting to be mounted and to add them to the database and/or interleaved in the collection.
• Train young undergraduate and graduate alumni in the study of the region's flora.
• Acquire material for mounting specimens.
Timetable:
Time will be distributed as follows:
Student training - First month (month 1).
Specimen digitization - First to tenth month (months 1-10).
Digital processing - First to eleventh month (months 1-11).
Image upload to database - Second to twelfth month (months 2-12)
Database curation - Third to twelfth month (months 3-12)
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:
We have established a standardized protocol for digitizing specimens, based on available resources such as: digitization space, light, camera, post-processing, and server uploading. However, the current image quality is suboptimal, and the number of specimens that can be digitized per battery charge is limited. Therefore, having an equipment with higher resolution and an external power source for an uninterrupted supply will enhance digitization speed and improve image quality.
Optimizing the digitization processes will accelerate the capture of specimens’ data and images at database and its transition from freezers to shelves. Within the freezers, we have stored specimens ready for database and others already in the database but waiting for interleaving and digitization. This approach will free up additional time for students to dedicate to mounting specimens. Also, the resources will facilitate the acquisition of cardboard, glue, and other essential materials.
Furthermore, engaging students in specimen-related tasks, such as digitization, mounting, and interleaving, familiarizes them with the local flora. But also, usually at being involved in herbarium task, they usually support other activities like specimen identification, fieldwork, and pollen collection. These tasks collectively contribute to the comprehensive training of the next generation of biologists and agronomists, who will be able to study and make sustainable use of the regional flora.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Carlos Leopardi
Applicant Last Name/s: