Project context

The "E-Specimina" project operates within the broader context of advancing biodiversity research and digital herbarium practice. The overarching context involves addressing critical challenges and leveraging opportunities in the following areas: 

 Biodiversity Documentation and Conservation

Overarching Issue: In the face of global biodiversity loss, there is a pressing need for comprehensive and accessible documentation of plant species to support conservation efforts. 

 Challenge: Traditional herbarium practices face limitations in terms of accessibility, scalability, and collaborative data-sharing. 

Digital Transformation in Biodiversity Science

 Overarching Issue: The field is witnessing a shift toward digital approaches for collecting, managing, and sharing biodiversity data. 

Challenge: Bridging the gap between traditional herbarium practice and contemporary digital technology to harness the benefits of digitization.

 Open Research Data Practices

  Overarching Issue: The move toward open science and transparent research practice is changing how data are shared and accessed. 

Challenge: Establishing effective protocols to manage Open Research Data (ORD) in order to enhance the visibility, usability, and interoperability of herbarium specimen data.

 Inter-Connectedness of Research Communities

  Overarching Issue: Collaboration and data-sharing among research communities are essential for a holistic understanding of biodiversity. 

Challenge: Facilitating seamless collaboration and data exchange between different herbaria, institutions, and research initiatives.

 Educational Outreach and Capacity Building

  Overarching Issue: Building a knowledgeable and skilled community of researchers and citizen scientists is crucial for sustainable biodiversity research. 

  Challenge: Designing effective educational programs and outreach initiatives to enhance awareness and involvement in herbarium-related research.