nhmj-ij-collections-20181205

Study Extent

The study extent covers the entire territory of Jamaica. The preserved specimens were collected across all parishes and cays.

Sampling

Specimens were collected using standard methods in the field utilizing secateurs and plant presses. These collections were for general collecting to expand the national collections, specific collections for projects focusing on a specie, genus, family, group or combinations thereof.

Quality Control

Persons were trained by project partners from the British Museum of Natural History in the digitization of specimens and the setting up of workflows. Additionally training in data cleaning, management and publishing was received through the BID capacity building workshop. Verification of data were performed in house by Botanist and Data Entry Officer and checked on the GBIF data portal.

Method steps

1. Specimen selection is carried out first with Jamaican specimens with complete label data being referred to specimens with incomplete label data. These specimens are removed from the general collections. Each specimen is barcode assigned a barcode which was generated by using a modified Google Spread Sheet. The barcodes are the affixed to the specimens. The barcodes are scanned into the Specify database and the record is associated with the barcode number. The label data is then transcribed from the label and entered into the relevant fields within the database. The specimen is also imaged using a Canon EOS 5DS R digital SLR camera and a customized light box. Barcode filer software then assigns the barcode as the image filename. The image is then processed using the XnConverter software which facilitates the rotation, resizing and cropping of the images which are then stored in a new folder as processed images. The image is then linked to the Specify record and appears in the database in the relevant window. The specimen is then moved through steps of verification where the inputted data is cross checked with the label data. Other cleaning exercises are also carried out including formatting, name verification through the GBIF Tool, conversion of measurements (e.g. coordinates and altitude) and standardization of collector names and authorities. A system set up is done internally in Specify to accommodate data export. Information such as the Institution code, copyright and collection description are inserted. An internal Schema configuration is also set up to facilitate the export of the data in a format compatible with the GBIF platform. The Darwin Core standards and vocabulary used to generate a new mapping within Specify. The mapping is specific to the dataset being targeted for export. Unique identifiers are also generated within Specify and once all the desired fields are selected and mapped the data are exported as a text file and ready for upload to the GBIF IPT platform.

The range is the island of Jamaica which is located within the Greater Antilles. The island is the second smallest within the Greater Antilles and rich in biodiversity.