(version 1.5)

Botanical Collection Data: The collection data in Atrium are specific field collection records. These may be entered directly during the collection process or from handwritten notes after the fact. Additionally, determinations may be added by the collector, other experts or herbarium personnel as the collection is positively identified. Data for a collection include common and scientific names, the collector and collection team, general and detail collection information, plant description and images taken during the collection.

Taxonomic Structure: The taxonomic structure used in this system is the discipline standard: kingdom, division, class, sub-class, order, family, genus, specific epithet, infra-specific taxa. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Tropicos website is our standard for taxon names: http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html

Mapping Collections: Google Earth maps and GIS information are used to place the collections in a geographic context. Street maps, where available, are combined with satellite imagery to provide a zoom-able representation of the area of interest. Collection points are placed on the map using latitude and longitude.

Weather Information: Weather information from specific weather stations is uploaded to the Atrium system to supply rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind and other measurements over various time periods and intervals. This weather data is loaded to allow the researcher to explore the connections between environment and the botanical collections made in the field. With the addition of new weather stations, longer periods of coverage and shorter intervals of measurement, this information will improve and become more useful as a research tool.

Bibliographic Information: A complete record of all bibliographic references related to the botany and conservation of the Madre de Dios department of Peru has been loaded into the Atrium system. Additional references can be loaded as found, either for the same area or for other areas of study. This information is stored in the standard scientific bibliographic format and can be extracted for inclusion in future publications.