Application of digital field photographs as documents for tropical plant inventory

LaFrankie, James V.; Chua, Anna I.

doi:10.3732/apps.1400116

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…In no case was a confident identification altered by subsequent examination of the dried specimen. The failure to identify photographic sets to species was due to the lack of a key feature in 67.8% of the cases and due to a poorly understood taxonomy in 32.2%” (LaFrankie Jr. and Chua 2015). The two reasons for the failure to identify photo vouchers also apply to botanical specimens, explaining why the authors found no advantages to using botanical specimens over photo vouchers for plant identification.…”

Section: Proposing An Alternative: Photo Vouchers In Ethnobotanymentioning

confidence: 99%

To Pick or Not to Pick: Photographic Voucher Specimens as an Alternative Method to Botanical Collecting in Ethnobotany

Greene

Teixidor‐Toneu

Odonne

2023

Journal of Ethnobiology

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The identification of plants according to the Linnaean system of taxonomy is a cornerstone of ethnobotany, allowing the discipline to be a comparative science. To accomplish plant identification, ethnobotanists have long relied on the collection of voucher specimens and their deposition in herbaria. Here we critically analyze the role of botanical collecting in ethnobotany and bring attention to a range of issues that can complicate, and sometimes hamper, the practice. In lieu of traditional herbarium specimens, the collection of photographic vouchers and their deposition in digital repositories is proposed as an alternative method for ethnobotanical research. The ever-improving quality and ubiquity of smartphone cameras, photographic citizen science applications like Pl@ntnet and iNaturalist, and deep learning techniques of automated photo identification are discussed as elements that are contributing to a slow revolution in the role of digital data in the field sciences. Guidelines for when plant herbarium specimens versus photographic vouchers should be considered required are laid out. Although botanical collecting will doubtless and with good reason remain a foundational practice in ethnobotany, we present the use of photographic vouchers as a valid, scientifically rigorous and, in some situations, preferred method of identification.

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Section: Proposing An Alternative: Photo Vouchers In Ethnobotanymentioning

confidence: 99%

To Pick or Not to Pick: Photographic Voucher Specimens as an Alternative Method to Botanical Collecting in Ethnobotany

Greene

Teixidor‐Toneu

Odonne

2023

Journal of Ethnobiology

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“…These additional tools for verification, which build upon the foundation of herbaria as repositories of verified specimens, all need to follow the same FAIR principles, and be accessible for downstream checking and verification. This is not to disregard the usefulness of new technologies, such as high-quality photographs which can provide extremely powerful tools to identify, and therefore vouch for, specimens under certain circumstances and given that they are made publicly available through databases or herbaria (where they can be included as valid vouchers [12]).…”

Section: Why Are Publicly Accessible Specimens Imperative For Open Rmentioning

confidence: 99%

How FAIR are plant sciences in the twenty-first century? The pressing need for reproducibility in plant ecology and evolution

Manzano

Julier

2021

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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The need for open, reproducible science is of growing concern in the twenty-first century, with multiple initiatives like the widely supported FAIR principles advocating for data to be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable. Plant ecological and evolutionary studies are not exempt from the need to ensure that the data upon which their findings are based are accessible and allow for replication in accordance with the FAIR principles. However, it is common that the collection and curation of herbarium specimens, a foundational aspect of studies involving plants, is neglected by authors. Without publicly available specimens, huge numbers of studies that rely on the field identification of plants are fundamentally not reproducible. We argue that the collection and public availability of herbarium specimens is not only good botanical practice but is also fundamental in ensuring that plant ecological and evolutionary studies are replicable, and thus scientifically sound. Data repositories that adhere to the FAIR principles must make sure that the original data are traceable to and re-examinable at their empirical source. In order to secure replicability, and adherence to the FAIR principles, substantial changes need to be brought about to restore the practice of collecting and curating specimens, to educate students of their importance, and to properly fund the herbaria which house them.

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“…Augmenting the event and occurrence records led to an optimized specimen collection, data integration, and reuse. Event and occurrence records containing associated media have expanded the value of the data to other users, because observations, validation, and measurements can be made outside the original purpose of the data (Vellend et al, 2013;LaFrankie and Chua, 2015;Schindel and Cook, 2018;Thiers et al, 2019). Our field cameras lacked a naming customization feature, which necessitated later renaming of the files.…”

Section: Integrating Media Filesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A data management workflow of biodiversity data from the field to data users

et al. 2019

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PremiseHeterogeneity of biodiversity data from the collections, research, and management communities presents challenges for data findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability. Workflows designed with data collection, standards, dissemination, and reuse in mind will generate better information across geopolitical, administrative, and institutional boundaries. Here, we present our data workflow as a case study of how we collected, shared, and used data from multiple sources.MethodsIn 2012, we initiated the collection of biodiversity data relating to Michigan prairie fens, including data on plant communities and the federally endangered Poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek).ResultsOver 23,000 occurrence records were compiled in a database following Darwin Core standards. The records were linked with media and biological, chemical, and geometric measurements. We published the data as Global Biodiversity Information Facility data sets and in Symbiota SEINet portals.DiscussionWe highlight data collection techniques that optimized transcription time, including the use of predetermined and controlled vocabulary, Darwin Core terms, and data dictionaries. The validity and longevity of our data were supported by voucher specimens, metadata with measurement records, and published manuscripts detailing methods and data sets. Key to our data dissemination was cooperation among partners and the utilization of dynamic tools. To increase data interoperability, we need flexible and customizable data collection templates, coding, and enhanced communication among communities using biodiversity data.

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Application of digital field photographs as documents for tropical plant inventory

Cited by 4 publications

References 19 publications

To Pick or Not to Pick: Photographic Voucher Specimens as an Alternative Method to Botanical Collecting in Ethnobotany

To Pick or Not to Pick: Photographic Voucher Specimens as an Alternative Method to Botanical Collecting in Ethnobotany

How FAIR are plant sciences in the twenty-first century? The pressing need for reproducibility in plant ecology and evolution

A data management workflow of biodiversity data from the field to data users

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