| Abstract Detail
Building a High-Resolution, Specimen-Based Picture of Life: Possibilities and Challenges Soltis, Pamela [1], Mast, Austin [2]. iDigBio: Vision, Mission, and Opportunities for Engagement. Centuries of discovery document the diversity of life on Earth. Records of that biodiversity are, for the most part, housed in numerous natural history collections, making access to the information a difficult task. Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio), the National Resource for Advancing Digitization of Biological Collections (ADBC), will integrate data from biological research collections in non-federal collections in the United States. Through ADBC, data, images, and associated metadata for millions of biological specimens are being made available in electronic format for the research community, government agencies, students, educators, and the general public, with the goals of increased understanding and appreciation of biodiversity and improved environmental and economic policies. The mission of iDigBio is to develop a national infrastructure that supports the vision of ADBC by overseeing implementation of standards and best practices for digitization; building and deploying a customized cloud computing environment for collections; recruiting and training personnel, including underserved groups; engaging the research community, collections community, citizen scientists, and the public through education and outreach activities; and planning for long-term sustainability of the national digitization effort. Key partners with iDigBio are Thematic Collections Networks (TCNs), which form a national grid of institutions that are digitizing specimens and associated resources. We will provide an overview of the vision and mission of iDigBio, progress to date, and plans for the future, emphasizing opportunities for community engagement. Broader Impacts:
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Related Links:
iDigBio homepage
1 - University Of Florida, Florida Museum Of Natural History, PO BOX 117800, Gainesville, FL, 32611-7800, USA, 352/273-1964
2 - Florida State University, Department Of Biological Science, 319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
Keywords:
digitization
collections
herbarium.
Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY11
Location: Franklin A/Hyatt
Date: Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM
Number: SY11002
Abstract ID:954 |
