BRAHMS, collections data, maps.....

[Colin Hughes]

Those following the recent discussion about distribution mapping and the
(electronic) availability of collection data more generally, might be
interested to visit the BRAHMS (Botanical Research and Herbarium Information
System) web site at www.brahms.co.uk.

In addition to software and reference manual, this web site includes
comprehensive monographic data sets for a few plant genera (initially New
World Pinus, Inga and Leucaena). The data include accepted names, synonymy,
types, protologues, descriptions, detailed collections data -  as fully
geo-referenced as possible, as well as various other species-level detail as
entered by the authors, e.g. IUCN codes. These data can be downloaded in a
highly searchable BRAHMS format and can be readily exported into a wide
range of other formats. Linked mapping software is also available from the
web site.

Given that most taxonomists now routinely use some form of database, the
electronic publication of collection data should become straightforward.
Indeed, making collection data available on the web could well become a
condition of publication of monographs and the like in the near future, just
as it is already for DNA sequence data. Such data can be used for more than
distribution mapping and biogeographical analyses. For example, one of the
recent objectives of the BRAHMS project in collaboration with some herbaria
in Latin America, has been to streamline curation, automating the
integration of determinations and synonyms into existing collections and
databases. The monograph series developed in BRAHMS is one of several
initiatives gradually working towards this end.

Colin Hughes and Denis Filer
____________________________________________
Department of Plant Sciences
University of Oxford
South Parks Road
OXFORD
OX1 3RB
UK
Tel: +44-01865-275129 (direct)
Tel: +44-01865-275000 (switchboard)
Fax: +44-01865-275074
Email:
info at brahms.co.uk
denis.filer at plants.ox.ac.uk
colin.hughes at plants.ox.ac.uk