Small Collections Grant
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Systematization of the third largest lichen collection from Colombia: preserving the past and future of reference collections in Neotropics.
Luis Fernando Coca
Colombia
Database, Process backlog, Ship, Conserve
Cost: $
2000
FAUC
Universidad de Caldas
Objective:
Systematize and improve 5000 specimens of the lichenological collection of University of Caldas Herbarium-FAUC and promote the use of this reference collection.
1) Digitalize the entire lichen collection to be included in the FAUC Herbarium main collection database.
2) Improve exsiccates conservation of antique material already deposited in the FAUC Herbarium.
3) Perform a curatorship and taxonomic verification of the lichen specimens of the Herbarium FAUC.
4) Recognize the number of specimens from FAUC lichen collection.
5) Create and send duplicatas from type materials to other herbaria.
Plan:
The Herbarium University of Caldas – FAUC safeguards the third largest lichen collection in the country after COL and UDBC herbaria by holding ca. 10.500 specimens of which 20 are type collections. This collection represents the lichenological biota of the Central Colombian Andes and also preserves an important number of records from the main biomes of the country which include Andes, Amazon, Caribe and Chocó.
Nowadays, more than 7.200 specimens have not been systematized due to financial and political constraints. These threats harm the preservation of this important biological collection, which is the basis for answering questions about the vast diversity that exists in the Neotropics.
In order to make visible this important information of the Colombian biota, it is proposed to systematize 5000 specimens, curating each one, evaluating its quality in terms of the biological material, phytosanitary status, taxonomic identity and the way in which it is stored, since several specimens are sheltered on the wrong paper and/or need a change of label. The information will be tabulated in the Darwin Core templates and updated in the GBIF database, the coordinates will be verified for each location and photographic records of the samples in 6he field or laboratory will be collected, when available. The samples will be packed in 90gr earth pact paper backs, standard for lichenological collections, supported with an acid-free 240g propalcote cardboard and with a label that includes al
Timetable:
• Validate, adjust and digitize the information of each specimen. From March to June
• Assign barcodes or ID. March to June
• Validate and normalize coordinates and locations. March to June
• Normalize scientific names and taxonomic hierarchies. March to June
• Sort the systematized specimens in a hierarchical way in the lichen compactors. March to June
• Assign labels of determination and/or taxonomic update. March to June
• Publish the updated DB in GBIF with the Darwin Core format. June
• Make copies of type copies. June
• Send copies of type copies to other Herbaria. June
• Validate and/or update scientific names with suitable databases. April to May
• Perform photographic record of type specimens. March to May
• Define the mounting of specimens in a standard fashion. March
• Replace damaged and out of fit mounts. March
• Collect the publications of new species that relate the FAUC collection. March
• Collect the type specimens and store them in a specific place within the collection. March
• Define a standard assembly for type specimens. March
Referee 1:
Alejadro Zuluaga
Referee 2:
Thorsten Lumbsch
Scoring Rubric
Your name:
Collection Improvement/Maintenance
1. Contribution to the generation of digital herbarium data (digitization: data entry, setting up database structure, purchasing equipment).
2. Contribution to enhancing our understanding of the flora by making new herbarium specimens available (processing of backlog).
3. Contribution to enhancing our understanding of the flora by making new herbarium specimens available (shipping endangered collection to another herbarium).
4. Contribution towards improving conservation status of specimens in herbarium (better folders, protecting covers, mounting paper, labeling, etc.).
This proposal scores:
/120
IAPT community building
5. Herbarium's potential for success.
6. Perceived need, extent to which the project will benefit from IAPT funding.
7. Sharing specimens with other herbaria.
This proposal scores:
/40
Broader Impacts
8. The project will yield durable benefits (specimens, digitized metadata, databases, websites).
9. The proposed project involves outreach/mentoring and broad dissemination.
This proposal scores:
/40
52
Proposal number: