
Senckenberg Research Institute and Museum, Frankfurt	Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem

Abstracts

TDWG 2000: Digitising Biological Collections
Taxonomic Databases Working Group, 16th Annual Meeting
Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt, Germany, November 10-12, 2000

Karl-Heinz Lampe* & Klaus Riede*

Digitizing entomological collections. A practical guide and experiences

* Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Adenauerallee 150-164, D-51113 Bonn, Germany

In practice, the overall efficiency of data-basing the inventory of traditional entomological collections depends on two factors: suitable software, and management measures to ensure the highest possible data quality already in the input process. All data entry is based on determined specimens (systematic label information), but "determination" is not limited to the species level - it can be any higher taxon (e.g. "Acrididae" for an unknown grasshopper). In our institution we introduced a lock-step program for ergonomic and efficient data entry: 1. primary data capture of systematic label information 2. validity check -systematics- 3. set up of a collection-based catalogue of taxa 4. secondary data capture (sampling information) 5. validity check -geography- 6. set up of a geographical catalogue & completion of lists (collectors, determinators) 7. final data entry of existing specimens into the database Each step of the procedure is clearly separated from the next. Therefore, everyone involved in this work can clearly see his own area of responsibility as well as the progress of his work. Furthermore, the level of accessibility of the collections is visible for everyone. By profiling the collections in this way the whole procedure becomes transparent.

TDWG | Participants | Presentations | Senckenberg Museum | BGBM Biodiversity Informatics

This meeting was co-sponsored by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA)