UPNG Natural History Collection Plant Family Acanthaceae to Anacardiaceae

The Centre for Biodiversity and Natural Products, University of Papua New Guinea, comprises four taxonomically important collections: Herbarium (23, 933 plant specimens), Entomology (14, 000 insect specimens), Zoology (Mammals, Amphibians, and Reptiles (13, 900 specimens), and the PNG National Fish Collection (c. 10, 000 specimens), the majority of which have significant historic value. Currently, our collections are scattered in different databases with no standard format. We are employing traditional database systems such as record cards or catalog systems, and these databases are stored digitally in MS access or excel spreadsheets.

The Centre for Biodiversity and Natural Products, University of Papua New Guinea, houses Natural History collections from within Papua New Guinea.

The data mobilization and digitization project involves training for data entry, data cleaning, data standardization, and data management. Currently, each collection operates independently with its own databasing system—mostly as record cards/catalogs or simple digital records using Microsoft Access or MS Excel. The project aims to organize all these collections and employ a standard databasing system, by standardizing the record cards/catalogs, specimen images, and geo-referencing. Final year students from the University of Papua New Guinea will be engaged as part of their job training and capacity building, to enter data in the respective collections. Project members in each collection will undergo data enhancement training.

The Centre for Biodiversity and Natural Products, University of Papua New Guinea is a member of the GBIF, which recently received funding to make available online the resources held by its collections.