Biological Collections: Methods and Techniques

Recommended Prerequisites

General knowledge in botany (1st cycle)

Teaching Methods

Lectures using highly illustrated powerpoints.

Theoretical-practicals: interactive and highly participative teaching.

Practicals, the bulk of this discipline: the students carry out an engaging project envolving all aspects of the subject in the Herbarium of the University of Coimbra where the lecture is the Curator (projects involving other kind of specimens are welcomed).

Learning Outcomes

The objective of this course unit is to equip the student with knowledge to: 1. describe the relevance of the biological collections and vouchers in the research on biodiversity. 2. use methods and techniques for the conservation and management of biological collections. 3. use methods for databasing and digitisation of specimens.

The students acquire competences on:

1. recognising the need to build collections and vouchers during the research in biodiversity and applying the fundamental concepts of this field of biology,

2. collectting, analyse and synthetise information on management and conservation of biological collections and biological databases,

3. developing critical analysis on specimen information and its structure as well as the state of conservation and restoration methodology of the specimens prior to image capture,

4. adequately communicating information on the subject reveling ability to team work ,

5. working and research independentely.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Biodiversity and biological collections. Collections that result from research and result that uses collections. Features of the biological collection: structure, organization, conservation and exchange of information. The making of specimens/vouchers, types, labels and catalogues.

2. Global biological collections. Classical naturalists and worldwide projects: ALUKA.

3. Resources. Databases on nomenclature and on collections available in the internet. GBIF, integrated system. Hands-on.

4. Databases and databasing. Standards and interoperability. Standardisation of the information. Labels and barcodes. Data retrieval and reports. Hands-on.

5. Digitising. Standards for image capture. Digital photography and digitisation in Herbscan of herbarium specimens. Hands-on.

6. Managing, curating and restoring botanical collections using modern materials. Hands-on.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Project: 100.0%

Bibliography

BRIDSON & FORMAN (eds) 1992 The herbarium handbook. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

CURRY & HUMPHRIES (eds) 2007 Biodiversity Databases: Techniques, Politics, and Applications. Systematics Association Special Volumes Series Vol: 73

METSGER & BYERS (eds) 1999 Managing the modern herbarium: an interdisciplinary approach. Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, Washington DC

ROSE & TORRES (1992) Storage of Natural History Collections: Ideas and Practical Solutions. Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, Washington DC

RUSHTON, HACKNEY & TYRIE (eds) 2001 Biological Collections & Biodiversity. Linnean Soc. Occasional Publications 3

SALICK, KONCHAR & NESBITT (eds) 2014 Curating Biocultural Collections: A Handbook. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

INTERNET:

Biodiversity Heritage Library

Botanicus

GBIF

Herbário da Universidade de Coimbra

IPNI

SPECIFY

TROPICUS