Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Barkworth, Mary [1], Dean, Ellen [2], Legler, Ben S. [3], Mayfield, Mark [4], Murrell, Zack [5], Ribbens, Eric [6].

Progress in Digitizing US Herbaria, 2011-2012.

In 2011 and 2012, the US Virtual Herbarium Project surveyed herbaria throughout the country concerning their status with respect to key aspects of digitization: databasing, imaging, georeferencing, and providing internet access. The surveys were sent to all US herbaria listed in Index herbariorum (IH). In addition, notices about the survey were sent to two listservs in an attempt to reach herbaria not listed in that reference. There were several more responses in 2012, with most of the additional responses coming from herbaria with fewer than 100,000 specimens, but the data in both years came from herbaria throughout the country. The number of herbaria engaged in each activity increased from 2011 to 2012. More importantly, the percentage of specimens that had been databased, imaged, and made available was greater in 2012 than in 2011. Georeference data were only requested in 2012. The data demonstrate the importance of networks in promoting digitization, particularly with respect to imaging and providing internet access. Approaches that could further accelerate progress in digitization will be discussed.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Utah State University, Department of Biology, 5305 OLD MAIN HILL, Logan, UT, 84322-5305, USA
2 - UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity, Plant Sciences M.S. 7, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA, 95616, USA
3 - University of Washington, Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria, Box 355325, Seattle, WA, 98195-5325, USA
4 - Kansas State University, Division of Biology, Ackert Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
5 - APPALACHIAN ST UNI, Department of Biology, 572 RIVERS ST. RANKIN SCI BLDG, BOONE, NC, 28608, USA
6 - Western Illinois University, BIO SCI, BIO SCI-WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIV, 1 UNIVERSITY CR, MACOMB, IL, 61455, USA, 398 255-1650

Keywords:
Digitization
Herbaria
US Virtual Herbarium
Survey.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 18
Location: Magnolia/Riverside Hilton
Date: Tuesday, July 30th, 2013
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 18008
Abstract ID:560
Candidate for Awards:None