1- Scientific context and project objectives

The Herbiers universitaires de Clermont-Ferrand form the third largest university herbarium in France, with almost 400,000 specimens. This is an international scientific heritage gathered over two centuries with constant new additions. It is used as a biodiversity knowledge tool for a wide range of research programmes, studies or expert assessments.
These university herbaria have been undergoing computerisation since 1999 on the basis of the S.O.N.E.R.A.T. database of the French National Museum for Natural History. Input data, which currently amounts to 70,000 units of the herbaria, is entered using ACCESS on a local server. Part of the information can be accessed on the Institute’s website.

The aim of this project is to completely reorganise and develop the system with a view to improving access to the scientific information for researchers and the general public. The Auvergne public will particularly be able to access the regional collections online.

2- Project description

This complete overhaul and development of the system should improve site functioning, system security, service for the general public, scientists and users and optimise the networking as follows:

• change of the database host
• update of current data (deleting repetitions, etc.)
• analysis and reorganisation of the databases and tables by improving interfaces
• transfer of data currently in ACCESS format to SGBD ORACLE or MYSQL format using the SQL language
• storage of images of historical and scientific interest (St-Hilaire herbarium, Auvergne flora and types)
• development of links with the national network of French herbaria (M.N.H.N and TB Herbiers de Tela Botanica network) and regional links (site of Clermont-Ferrand Universities and the Musée Lecoq)

3- Public or controlled use

The system will have two levels of use: targeted, controlled use for the general public by filtering the information available over the Web (selection of accessible fields, etc.); more extensive use with full access for researchers.

4- Expected results

This project will result in better management and functioning of the system which will eventually increase the number of users online and on the site.
It will firstly improve the status of the Herbiers universitaires de Clermont-Ferrand as a research and expert assessment tool, as well as their use in regional and international plant biodiversity fields.
It will also help to improve the quality of information available to the public in Auvergne and raise their awareness of the issues of biodiversity preservation. Lastly, it will help to increase the standing of Auvergne and Clermont-Ferrand within the international community of biologists, botanists and naturalists.

LifeGrid, the regional information system