IGN 8
Enhancing Ecological Research with iDigBio Biological Specimen Data

Wednesday, August 12, 2015: 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
345, Baltimore Convention Center
Organizer:
Libby Ellwood, Florida State University
Co-organizer:
Deb Paul, Florida State University
Moderator:
Libby Ellwood, Florida State University
In this Ignite Session, we highlight research being done with biological specimen data, with an emphasis on data from iDigBio (Integrated Digitized Biocollections; http://www.idigibio.org). We will include data management strategies that are used to digitize, access, share, analyze, archive, update, and publish biodiversity data. The opportunities and challenges of working with biodiversity specimen data are numerous and widely applicable across ecological fields. Specimen collections include centuries of information from every corner of the globe. As a result, this rich, deep data source includes data collected in a wide range of formats, languages, media, accuracy, precision, and completeness. Using these data therefore requires an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates international standards and protocols. As with many forms of data management, these efforts must be forward thinking to anticipate the needs of future researchers and the capabilities of future technologies. The session will begin with an introduction to iDigBio within the framework of the larger biodiversity collections community. Speakers will then present information on best practices in field-based data collection, publishing datasets, and examples from research groups that have successfully used biodiversity specimen data to answer challenging questions. The broad range of applications of biodiversity data in ecological research and the benefits of collaboration will be explored. The session will include information on the ways ecologists and biodiversity specimen collections can work together to improve data quality and enhance research.
 Enhancing your ecological research with iDigBio biological specimen data
Deborah Paul, Florida State University; Libby Ellwood, Florida State University
 Long-term data on the dynamics of lichen communities: Developing procedures for incorporating community data into iDigBio
Thomas E. Miller, Florida State University; Abigail I. Pastore, Florida State University; Chelse M. Prather, Radford University; Elise S. Gornish, University of California, Davis; Will H. Ryan, Florida State University; Robert D. Ellis, Florida State University
 Using museum data for niche modeling and phylogenetic diversity of Florida plants
Charlotte Germain-Aubrey, University of Florida; Julie Allen, Univertisty of Illinois; Kurt M. Neubig, Southern Illinois University; Robert P. Guralnick, University of Florida; Jose Miguel Ponciano, University of Florida; Thomas Lamy, Université de Montréal; Douglas Soltis, University of Florida; Lucas Majure, Desert Botanical Gardens; Pamela Soltis, University of Florida
 Harnessing the power of natural history collections to guide the conservation of bumble bees
Jonathan Koch, Utah State University; James P. Strange, USDA-ARS Pollinating Insects Research Unit
 Every picture tells a story: Reconstructing the evolution of poeciliid male morphology using museum specimens
Alex Landy, Florida State University; Joseph Travis, Florida State University; Chris Menz, Florida State University; Daniel Lorenz Goldberg, University of California Riverside
See more of: Ignite ESA Sessions