From Ink to Electrons - Challenges and Solutions in Digitising Herbaria

This will be an advanced workshop co-sponsored by GBIF and the European Network for Biodiversity Informatics (ENBI). A number of experts in the field will be invited to present the methodologies and work flow processes that are being used at their institutions to data base the specimens in their herbaria and to highlight what they see as the rate limiting steps in this process. In addition, a number of speakers will be invited to present some ideas on alternative approaches that may have potential for increased efficiency. Following the presentations, breakout groups will be tasked with discussion the rate limiting steps identified by the speakers and suggesting either possible solutions or possible research projects in these areas. The outcome of the workshop is planned to be a short ‘Best Practices’ document that addresses the work flow process for databasing and geo-referencing herbarium specimens with an emphasis on addressing the identified rate limiting steps.