Specimen and Collector Information

Accompanying specimen and collector information is essential for scientific research. The following information should be recorded at the site if available:

Scientific Name: Species name (binomial that includes genus and specific epithet).

Location: Country, Province (State), general description of the route you took to get there.

Geolocation: Latitude and longitude (GPS marker).

Elevation: Elevation in meters (m) or feet (ft).

Habitat: A description of the surrounding habitat, vegetation type, soil type, slope aspect and any associated species you can identify (Ex: ‘Coastal Douglas Fir forest, understory Polystichum munitum (sword fern)’ or ‘disturbed road side of HWY 99).

Collector(s): YOU! – and any others collectors who are with you.

Collector’s number: This is your unique numerical identifier for this specific specimen you have collected.

Date Collected: The date the specimen was collected.

Notes: Anything interesting about the specimen you are collecting; colour of flower, smell, height of plant, any unique features, number of individuals you see, visiting pollinators.

Date Identified: The date the specimen was identified.

Determined by: Who identified the specimen.

 

Additional Comments:

Scientific Name: Sometimes other levels of taxonomic hierarchy are added such as Family or Order.

Location: Do not use location descriptions that can change easily over time (Ex: corner gas station on corner of 4^th Street and Alder Drive – in 100 years we might not have gas stations anymore!).

Geolocation: Record GPS datum (NAD 27 or NAD 83) and distance error in reading due to triangulation.

Collector(s): Full name please, as this is for history! Many people have the same name so if you want credit for your collection, please give your full name.

Collector’s number: Make sure this number stays unique and sequential. It is common to add your initials before the number in order to make sure it stays unique to you!

Date Collected: Use three letter acronyms for the months, Mar, Apr, May so not to confused day and month and always all 4 numbers for the year (2020).

Date Identified: Often the date identified is later than the collection date as you might need to refer to more references before you confirm identification.

Determined by: Often this will be different than the collector, as many specimens are difficult to identify and need an experts eye.