Historical Considerations in Biodiversity Informatics

Historical collections of biological specimens are potentially rich sources of data for contemporary researchers. However, many technical issues have to be addressed in order to make these collections widely available. This paper reports on a qualitative study of historical and current data practices at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, which is seeking wider understanding of the historical dimensions of specimen metadata, in order to support migration to more global standards. A detailed case study of a single specimen shows how that specimen has been described in multiple ways and in multiple locations within the Academy, and the historically complex nature of the data and metadata contained in these descriptions.ye

Informational Interfaces: A case study of the impact of discovery systems on biodiversity research and search at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

The Natural History Museum is one of the world’s leading research institutions for biological diversity research with collections comprising some 8 million specimens representing a vast wealth of data. It also holds one of the foremost collections of biodiversity-related literature in its Library and Archives, with over one million items catalogued, ranging from artworks and historical manuscripts to born-digital material such as journal articles. This study investigates the impact of discovery systems on search and research at the Natural History Museum with the objectives: to determine exact attitudes to searching for biodiversity information resources using the Library and Archives discovery system and the Data Portal; to explore how biodiversity information is discovered and used through the discovery system; to examine the impact of discovery systems on search and research; and to document the transition toward a digital, networked and aggregated discovery system approach to managing biodiversity information. To date, this is the first case study of the implementation of a discovery system in a natural history museum library with a focus on biodiversity research

Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge, and Biodiversity in the Global Economy: The Potential of Geographical Indications For Protecting Traditional Knowledge-Based Agricultural Products

The relationship between international regimes regulating intellectual property, traditional knowledge and biodiversity has received much attention in recent times. Of the many complex and controversial issues in contemporary international legal discourse on this matter, the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) stands out as a significant challenge. Choices abound in the search for modalities to regulate rights to use and control TK systems and their underlying biodiversity. In recent times, the protection of geographical indications (GIs) has emerged as an option for protecting TK. Despite the considerable enthusiasm over it, there is appreciable research dearth on how far and in what context GIs can be used as a protection model. Indeed, not only is the concept of GIs itself widely misunderstood. As well, analyses as to their applicability for protecting TK often reflect underlying cultural differences in the nature, scope and the jurisprudence regarding GIs across jurisdictions. This thesis examines the relationship between GIs and TK, focusing on the responsiveness of GIs to the needs and desires of indigenous peoples and local communities (ILCs). The thesis posits that the search for a model to protect TK should involve identifying different modalities, including those based on intellectual property, to fit to the nature and uses of TK in particular contexts. The analysis conceptualizes GIs as a form of IP that are structurally and functionally suitable to protect aspects of TK in traditional knowledge-based agricultural products (TKBAPs). Substantively, the thesis draws attention to the conceptual underpinnings of GIs as encompassing cultural and economic objectives in the protection of TK. As such, it is argued that stronger protection of GIs should be achieved by integrating the negotiations and discussion concerning GIs and TK at the international level. Further, the case is made for the determination of immediate challenges and long-term opportunities in choosing a legal means for protecting GIs at the national level. In this connection, the thesis suggests that the potential of GIs to meet national and local imperatives to protect TK be assessed, inter alia, based on their instrumentality for economic, biodiversity, cultural and food security objectives in protecting TKBAPs

Migrating Heritage: Experiences of Cultural Networks and Cultural Dialogue in Europe

Bringing together an international forum of experts, this book looks at how museums, libraries and other public cultural institutions respond to the effects of globalisation, mobility and migration across Europe. It puts forward examples of innovative practice and policies that reflect these challenges, looking at issues such as how institutions present themselves to and interact with multicultural audiences, how to support networking across European institutions, and share practice in core activities such as archiving and exhibiting artefacts. Academics, practitioners from museums and public institutions, policymakers, and representatives of migrant communities explore theoretical and practical approaches from a range of different disciplines such as museum studies, cultural studies, social anthropology, sociology of organizations, and library and information science