Abstract Detail

Teaching

Wilkinson-Lamb, Sara [1], Barkworth, Mary E [2], Gayou, Sean Anthony [3], Smith, Drew [4].

Digitization Synchronization.

Abstract: Biodiversity conservation requires making people in local communities aware of the importance of the species diversity in their neighborhood. Digitizing plant information, found in printed floras, in a database, and thereby preserving vital information is one method of engaging in biodiversity conservation. Printed floras provide information about plant species diversity across a large region but often include, in addition, information about the distribution of individual species within the larger region. Digitization of the distributional information in floras can help bridge the gap between these two perspectives. For the last few years, inmates of the Daggett County Jail, under the supervision of Sara Wilkinson-Lamb have been capturing data from several different floras and providing it to Dr. Mary Barkworth for inclusion in OpenHerbarium, a Symbiota-based network. Before beginning work on a particular flora or checklist, inmates familiar with Microsoft Access create a database that facilitates accurate and rapid data entry. This database is then tested by their colleagues and, once approved, used for data capture. Data from the floras are exported to a csv. file, and the resulting records are then uploaded by Barkworth. To date, OpenHerbarium contains over 70,000 records, 60,000 of which are represented by data uploaded by the inmates from the various floras. This data can then be used to generate preliminary checklists for the regions recognized by the floras, and to look at distributions across national boundaries. The network also enables sharing description and images which can then be used in developing local identification handbooks, thereby helping construct the bridge between flora and community conservation. The resulting data also strongly support the benefits of collaboration, as well as the need for further floristic research by local botanists. There are also substantial, if intangible, benefits for inmates; e.g., gaining a foundation in nomenclature, developing data entry skills, and acquiring a greater awareness of world geography by locating floristic regions on maps. Lastly, working with these floras has also made us all more aware of the countries involved and the challenges their people face.

1 - Dagget County School District, Adult Education, PO Box 118, 45 West 200 North, Manila, UT, 84046, USA, 4352394948
2 - Somaliland Biodiversity Foundation, 397 Lauralin Drive, Logan, Utah, 84321, United States
3 - 4009 South 1100 East, Holladay, Utah, 84124, United States
4 - 1119 Bratton Road, New Albany, MS, 38652

Keywords:
biodiversity conservation
inmates
synchronization
Digitization
collaboration.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 18, Teaching Section Papers Session I
Location: 101/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Time: 11:30 AM
Number: 18014
Abstract ID:873
Candidate for Awards:None