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Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

Barkworth, Mary E. [1], Gayou, Sean Anthony [2], Petrie, Boyd [2], Billings, Garrett [2], Wilkinson-Lamb, Sara [3], Dyreson, Curtis [4], Awale, Ahmed Ibrahim [5].

Displaying and Sharing Distribution Information in Floras.

Some of the areas that are “black holes” in terms of accessible biodiversity data are covered by recent, high quality floras that include distributional data. We are using OpenHerbarium.org, which is run by Symbiota, to make this information accessible. Currently, we are working on making data from four floras available, those for Pakistan, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and Iraq. We have only completed data capture for the Flora of Somalia. Each flora is treated as a “herbarium”. This ensures that the source of the records is clear. If a flora provides specimen citations, the citation information is captured into an Access Database with each citation constituting a separate record. If the flora simply lists the regions in which a taxon occurs, the data are entered into a spreadsheet which is used to generate a separate record for each taxon-region combination. Georeference information added to each record is the centroid of the region concerned and, for the uncertainty, the radius of a circle that encompasses the whole region. Once uploaded, the records can be used to display distribution maps for the taxa and to generate regional checklists such as that for Somaliland. Putting distributional data from the floras on line via Symbiota will draw attention to the value of the information they contain and the importance of the taxonomic research they reflect. It can also encourage and facilitate engagement by local botanists and students in sharing information about the plant diversity in their region.

1 - Utah State University, Department Of Biology, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-5305, USA
2 - Intermountain Herbarium, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah, 84322-5305, United States
3 - Dagget County School District, Adult Education, PO Box 118, Manila, UT, 84046, USA
4 - Utah State University, Department of Computer Science, 4205 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah, 84322-4205
5 - Maamuus Street, New Hargeisa, Hargeisa, Somaliland

Keywords:
Digitization
Floras.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT017
Abstract ID:1800
Candidate for Awards:None