Digital Data in Biodiversity Research Conference

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Trust (SCDNR NHT) Botany and Plant Conservation Program tracks vascular and non-vascular imperiled species and species of conservation interest in SC. Data on species occurrences comes from various sources; however, herbarium specimens are of special interest because they are physical records of occurrences that can be re-examined to confirm identifications. SCDNR conservation partner, University of South Carolina Herbarium (USCH), is currently repackaging and imaging cryptogam specimens. To preserve the integrity of this collection, specimen packets are being created and the specimens will be rehoused in the new filing system. While identifying specimens from these images is not favorable, there are benefits to imaging, like identifying reproductive structures and quantifying available material for future testing. SCDNR has developed a procedure to image the specimen label material, as well as the creation of image tags in collaboration with ASU, UTENN, and DUKE for Bryophyte Portal. Tags can be applied in batch and through individual examination to help researchers identify images with label data, an organism, sporophyte present and more. Tags related to image workflows, like microscope and stacked focus photography, can be utilized to highlight diagnostic characteristics to confirm species identification.