From theory to practice: a photographic inventory of museum collections to optimize collection management

摘要: The digitization of museum specimens is a key priority in the Digital Era. databases help to avoid unnecessary manipulation hazards delicate collections, increase their accessibility third party researchers, and contribute ongoing documentation global biodiversity. Time, workforce need specialized infrastructures limit processing vast number natural history collections. Cheaper, easy-to-use methods volunteer programs are developing quickly bridge gap. We present results combining citizen science for an entomological collection conjunction with cooperation taxonomic expert remote identification samples. In addition, we provide assessment avoided monetary costs time needed each step process. A photographic inventory belonging leaf beetle genus Calligrapha was compiled by volunteers using low-cost compact camera species were identified these images. Using digital photographs allowed rapid screening resulted updated the Calligrapha at Royal Belgian Institute Natural Sciences. pictures original labels, as well new information from this endeavor placed online public catalogue. This study demonstrates worked example how has led practical, useful outcome through end user highlights value projects.