SwissCollNet: Réseau suisse des collections d'histoire naturelle
SwissCollNet is a national initiative dedicated to mobilising and providing open access to specimen data from natural history collections across Switzerland. By promoting data harmonisation and standardisation, the initiative aims to ensure interoperability among key institutions such as natural history museums, botanical gardens, and universities.
Targeted investments are being made to organise, integrate, modernise, and digitise collections within Swiss natural history institutions. Public and non-profit institutions holding natural history collections were invited to submit project proposals, resulting in 68 funded projects. Grant recipients were required to match the funding through financial or in-kind contributions of equal value. In 65 projects, the focus was set on the collections, 3 projects were targeted to the development of tools for imaging and data management. Over all, 644’221 specimens have been reorganized, 755’994 specimens have been reconditioned, 390’520 specimens revised, 1’015’254 specimens databased and 523’999 specimens been scanned or photographed.
To make the digital information on natural history collections and specimens openly accessible, a national data infrastructure is being developed, in which the data provided by the Swiss natural history collection institutions will be aggregated, harmonised and published on different national and international data portals. In 2024, a minimal viable product of the data aggregator (DAGI) has been released and data of more than one million specimens have been entered.
Additionally, the Swiss natural history community has undertaken a nationwide collection inventory by collecting metadata on their collections. Metainformation about 452 natural history collections is now openly accessible via the Global Registy of Scientific Collections (GRSciColl), an international register managed by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
Participants of SwissCollNet regularly share their achievements and expertise through conferences, workshops, and publications.
Books :
Mansion, Guilhem & Guggisberg Alessia (2024) Trésors d'herbiers. Editions Plume de carotte ISBN: 978-2-36672-324-3.
Scientific articles :
Büttner M., Weibel U., Jutzi M., Bergamini A., Holderegger R. Ein altes Herbarium als Informationsgrundlage für den regionalen Artenrückgang. Natur & Landschaft, 99. Jahrgang (2024) — Ausgabe 2. https://bfn.bsz-bw.de/frontdoor/deliver/index/docId/1909/file/NuL2024-02-01.pdf
Büttner M., Weibel U., Jutzi M., Bergamini A., Holderegger R., A 150-year-old herbarium and floristic data testify regional species decline, Biological Conservation, Volume 272, 2022, 109609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109609.
Carrillo J.D., Püschel H.P. Pleistocene South American native ungulates (Notoungulata and Litopterna) of the historical Roth collections in Switzerland, from the Pampean Region of Argentina. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 28 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00291-5
Carrillo-Briceño J.D., Vezzosi R.I., Ming K.M. et al. Nearctic Pleistocene ungulates from the Pampean region (Argentina) in the historical collections of Santiago Roth in Switzerland: an overview. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 12 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00273-7
Christen Z.M., Sánchez-Villagra M.R., Le Verger K. Cranial and endocranial comparative anatomy of the Pleistocene glyptodonts from the Santiago Roth Collection. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 14 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00280-8
Germann C., Giriens S., Erstmeldung des südwestalpinen Polydrusus (Chlorodrusus) abeillei abeillei Desbrochers, 1869 für die Schweiz (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Entomo Helvetica, 2024, vol. 17 p. 17-22
Germann C., Wartmann S. (2024) Das Steppenelement Adosomus roridus (Pallas, 1781) in der Schweiz und erste Dokumentation der Entwicklung in Artemisia absinthium L. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Alpine Entomology 8: 147-151. https://doi.org/10.3897/alpento.8.137395
Gottschlich G. (2024). Zur Diversität der Gattung Hieracium s.l. (Hieracium s.str., Chlorocrepis, Schlagintwetia, Pilosella) im Kanton Uri (Schweiz) – Eine Synthese aus Daten historischer Herbarbelege, Literatur, aktueller Aufsammlungen und Kartierungsergebnissen. Forum Geobotanicum, 12, 1-73. http://forum-geobotanicum.net/articles/vol_12-2024/GG_Hieracien_Uri_pp01-73/Gottschlich_Hieracien_Uri.pdf
Grall A., Guggisberg A., Nyffeler R., de Vos J.M. (2023). Towards digitizing the botanical legacy of Fritz and Paul Sarasin in Basel and Zurich. Bauhinia 29, Proceedings Bauhin2022 Conference: 119-120. https://doi.org/10.12685/bauhinia.1363
Forasiepi A.M., Aguirre-Fernández G. Santiago Roth and his scientific legacy: a reappraisal of the Swiss collections. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 29 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00287-1
Kaplan Z., Bétrisey S., Sonnenwyl V., Détraz-Méroz J., Kozlowski G. (2023) Typification of the name Ranunculus rionii (Ranunculaceae). PhytoKeys 226: 159-166. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.226.103309
Kerber L. Caviomorph rodents from the Pampean region (Argentina) in the historical Santiago Roth Collection in Switzerland. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 8 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00272-8
Kocyan A., Granget E., Dangeon M. Restoration of botanical fluid collections: potential for research and public outreach. PFC2024 - Preservation of natural history wet collections: New ideas, new challenges, 7-8 November 2024, La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Le Verger K. Xenarthrans of the collection of Santiago Roth from the Pampean Region of Argentina (Pleistocene), in Zurich, Switzerland. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 3 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00265-7
Loria P., Cinq premières et une deuxième mention d’araignées pour la Suisse (Araneae), Entomo Helvetica 16, 2023: 123-136. https://scnat.ch/en/uuid/i/02e6559b-f437-5812-b4f6-9dbbe5d14915-Entomo_Hevetica_Band_16_2023
Lynch S., Sánchez-Villagra M.R., Balcarcel A. Description of a fossil camelid from the Pleistocene of Argentina, and a cladistic analysis of the Camelinae. Swiss J Palaeontol 139, 8 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-020-00208-6
Mansion G., Guggisberg A. 2023. Les Herbiers Réunis de Zurich - Mise en lumière des collections de Gentianaceae. Gentiane Actualités 38: 19-21.
Mathys A., Pollet Y., Gressin A., Muth X., Brecko J., et al. (2024) Sphaeroptica: A tool for pseudo-3D visualization and 3D measurements on arthropods. PLOS ONE 19(10): e0311887. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311887
Menéndez L.P., Barbieri C., López Cruz I.G. et al. On Roth’s “human fossil” from Baradero, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina: morphological and genetic analysis. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 26 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00293-3
Püschel H.P., Martinelli A.G. More than 100 years of a mistake: on the anatomy of the atlas of the enigmatic Macrauchenia patachonica. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 16 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00279-1
Ruiz-Ramoni D., Carrillo?Briceno J.D., Voglino D. et al. Carnivoran fossils from the Pampean region (Argentina): Santiago Roth collections in Switzerland. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 11 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00274-6
Sánchez-Villagra M.R., Bond M., Reguero M. et al. From fossil trader to paleontologist: on Swiss-born naturalist Santiago Roth and his scientific contributions. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 19 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00282-6
Stöcklin J., de Vos J.M. (2023). Caspar Bauhin’s life (1560–1624)–Academic career, achievements as a botanist and his herbarium. BAUHINIA 29: 7-16. https://doi.org/10.12685/bauhinia.1346
Voglino D., Carrillo-Briceño J.D., Furrer H. et al. Pampean megamammals in Europe: the fossil collections from Santiago Roth. Swiss J Palaeontol 142, 25 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00283-5
Vuataz L., Reding JP., Reding A. et al. A comprehensive DNA barcoding reference database for Plecoptera of Switzerland. Sci Rep 14, 6322 (2024). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-56930-5
Vust M., Di Maio E., Forney C., Stuber M. 2024. Les herbiers historiques, défi pour les humanités numériques - l'herbier des lichens de J.-F. Chaillet comme projet pilote. Bulletin de la Société neuchâteloise des Sciences naturelles. 144.
SwissCollNet Annual Workshop 2024, 19.01.2024, UniS, Bern
The second annual workshop of SwissCollNet took place in January 2024 with nearly 150 participants. With the title "Digitization processes in natural history collections: from drawers to data publication" the workshop aimed to cover all aspects of digitization in the various disciplines of natural history collections. During the morning sessions, participants were updated about SwissCollNet's activities with a particular focus on the project "Collection Survey" for a register of natural history collections hosted in Switzerland and the development of the data infrastructure. Furthermore, representatives of SwissCollNet projects presented their projects and experiences in digitizing and imaging specimens and objects in the fields of botany, entomology and palaeontology. In the afternoon, the participants actively discussed in break-out sessions about the various digitization processes and issues on the following proposed topics:
– Digitization of the historical palaeontological collection at the Naturmuseum Winterthur
– Standardizing Data Standards
– Challenges in data cleaning and normalization of natural history collections
– From physical to digital
Finally, all participants learned about the project E-Specimina led by the Institute for Systematic and Evolutionary Botany of UZH (supported by Swissuniversities). The day was then concluded by a presentation on the collaborative future of the SVNHC, InfoSpecies and GBIF.ch by Glenn Litsios, director of info fauna, followed by the closing words by Britta Allgöwer, member of the SwissCollNet Steering board and member of SCNAT executive board.
During the day, visitors from the Canadian Forest Service at Natural Resources Canada were represented. Participants were also able to discover the poster of their project to digitize natural history collections "Bringing scientific collections into the digital age: Essential resources for science-based decision making".
In addition to the annual workshop, grantees have also organised smaller community workshops for experience and methodology exchanges. In 2024, the following workshops took place:
Strengthening collaboration between Swiss Herbaria at the Botanical Garden of the University of Bern and Herbarium: The workshop aimed to better connect Swiss herbaria and establish a lasting network beyond the conclusion of the SwissCollNet projects. It was a joint event between the herbaria of Fribourg and Bern as part of the SwissCollNet project SCN113-FR. The first workshop was held on December 6, 2023, in Fribourg, and the second on June 5, 2024, in Bern. The next herbarium workshop is scheduled for February/early March 2025 at the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of Geneva.
3D scanning of insect specimens at the Entomological Collection of ETH Zürich: The workshop covered all technical aspects of the scanning process with the DISC3D scanner and demonstrated an efficient setup for bulk 3D scanning. Prof. Dr. Michael Heethoff and Dr. Sebastian Schmelzle of Small World Vision discussed the challenges in object digitization and diverse applications of the DISC3D scanner.
PFC24 – Preservation of Fluid Collections at MUZOO, La Chaux-de-Fonds: This International Conference focused on the challenges of conserving wet collections. The goal was to gather specialists and practitioners to exchange best practices and discuss ongoing research projects. In the SwissCollNet projects, several questions were raised that were addressed in PFC24. 23 conferences were held, each consisting of a 20-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session. The event was held both in-person and online. The scientific community was eager to engage with these discussions as wet collections can be found in Swiss and international museums.
A) Contributions of participants of SwissCollNet projects in national and international conferences and workshops
Costeur L., Friesenhagen T., Schulz G. "X-ray microtomography of fossil types in natural history collections", Proceedings SPIE 13152, Developments in X-Ray Tomography XV, 131521D (23 October 2024). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3028651
De Vos J. The botanical specimens of Abraham Gagnebin at the Herbaria Basel: Collection contexts as botanical interaction networks. International conference, Uses, practices and functions of historical herbaria, 5-9.11.2023, Ascona, Switzerland. https://botanical legacies.unine.ch/pdf/conference_2023_programme.pdf
Felsner C., Greeff M. Digitalisierung von Insektensammlungen an der ETH Zu?rich und in der Schweiz. Symposium D3 (Diversita?t, Digitalisierung, Didaktik), May 25, 2024, Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt.
Felsner C., Greeff M. So scannen Sie Insektenproben in 3D und erstellen beeindruckende 3D-Modelle, inkl. AG 3D-Sitzung, 15. Jahrestagung für Universitätssammlungen, June 13.-15, 2024, ETH Zürich and Universität Zürich
Felsner C., Greeff M. 3D-Scans von Insektenproben, AG3D, 05.06.2024, online.
Pacher M., Additional faunal elements from the High Alpine cave sites Drachenloch, Wildkirchli and Wildenmannlisloch, Switzerland - a first survey, 28th International Cave Bear Symposium, Bayreuth, Bavaria, Germany.
Pacher M., New Projects on Old Cave Bear Bones. 27th International Cave Bear Symposium, Book of Abstracts & Excursion Guide, Seite 8/25.
Rindlisbacher L., Trancik Petitpierre V., Pichler S. “Von der Lochkartei über die Floppy Disc zur Datenbank – Die Digitalisierung der Sammlung der Interkantonalen Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Betreuung anthropologischer Funde (IAG).” Jahrestagung der CAA Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology, 5 Mai 2023, Zürich.
Sciscio L., Thibaut L., Lefebvre R., Roccazzella T., Anquetin J. 2024. Digitizing and sharing of the JURASSICA Museum’s extensive Late Jurassic Dinosaur Ichnological Collection. Abstract book of the XXI Annual Conference of the European Association of Vertebrate Palaeontologists, August 28 to September 1st, 2024, Svalbard, Norway.
Sciscio L., Thibaut L., Lefebvre R., Roccazzella T., Anquetin J. 2024. Digitizing dinosaur tracks: A comprehensive online database and educational resource for the JURASSICA ichnological collection. 22nd Swiss Geoscience Meeting, November 8-9, 2024, Basel, Switzerland.
Thibaut L., Sciscio L., Lefebvre R., Anquetin J. 2024. Visual didactics spreading ichnological discoveries to a lay audience: examples from the JURASSICA Museum’s Ichnological Collection. Abstract book of the XXI Annual Conference of the European Association of Vertebrate Palaeontologists, August 28 to September 1st, 2024, Svalbard, Norway.
Trancik Petitpierre V., Pichler S.L., “IAG – IAM. From storage to collection.” Jahresversammlung der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Anthropologie, Basel, 11 November 2022, Bulletin der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Anthropologie 25.1 (2019), 2023, 39.
De Vos J., Plant diversity through time - second renaissance of herbarium-based research. Natural History Museum, University of Oslo: 'Tangled Banks' departmental seminar series, 02.05.2024, Oslo, Norway.
De Vos J., 435 years of botany in Basel. Researcher Day, 09.02.2024, University of Basel.
Morel A., Sonnenwyl V. Results of the SwissCollNet collaborative project between Bern and Fribourg. Workshop “Strengthening collaboration between Swiss Herbaria”, 05.06.2024, University of Bern.
Morel A., Sonnenwyl V. Digitization of the herbaria of Fribourg (NHMF) and Bern (BERN). Plant Ecology Seminar, 24.05.2023, Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern.
Morel A., Sonnenwyl V. Collaboration between the Herbarium of Fribourg (NHMF) and Bern (BERN). Workshop “Strengthening collaboration between Swiss Herbaria”, 06.12.2023, University of Fribourg.
Rembold K. The diversity of working with scientific plant collections. PACE-Seminar, University of Bern, 19.10.2023.
Schönberg M., Bürki T. Dry and wet bulk collection, HERBARIUM BERNENSE. Plant Ecology Seminar. Institute of Plant Sciences. University of Bern, 13.12.23.
B) International activities
Switzerland is represented in the developing European Infrastructure Distributed System of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo) by musnatcoll.ch with two representatives (observer status, no rights of vote).
On April 30th, 2024 a Funders Forum Extraordinary meeting was held, on which the representatives of Switzerland were not participating, but have received all information provided as well as the meeting minutes.
On May 31st, 2024, the 6th DiSSCo interim General Assembly took place at the Natural History Museum London - United Kingdom, on which Alice Cibois participated for Switzerland as an observing member (no rights to vote).
Within the projects in the natural history collection institutions, 207 persons, especially young people (112 persons hired for the first time) have been trained in collection management and databasing, reaching from reconditioning the collections to taxonomic revisioning, databasing, scanning and photographing the specimens. The multiple collaborations resulted in important exchanges of knowledge between many institutions and many methodological approaches and workflows could be set up and be standardized, a valuable gain also for collection management and databasing work in the future.
The main communication channel in 2024 was the SwissCollNet webpage, on which information about SwissCollNet, its scientific community, its projects and activities are summarized. The webpage has been regularly updated in 2024.
SwissCollNet has also published 2 newsletters in 2024.
Several articles about discoveries and results of SwissCollNet-projects in collection institutions have been published regularly in national and local media over the year 2024. Furthermore, SwissCollNet has published 13 short stories in 2024, describing discoveries in natural history collections during the work on projects financed by SwissCollNet on the webpage (out of the box). The stories are also regularly taken up by local media.
In 2024, the Austrian movie ‘Archive der Zukunft’ was released. The Natural History Museum in Vienna collects, archives and studies everything that can be found on Earth and in space - and that the human species can get its hands on. The documentary film Archive of the Future captures the allure of the collection and its work processes and sheds light on the mammoth project of knowledge conservation and production hidden behind the imperial façade of the building. Director Joerg Burger and producer Constantin Wulff came to Bern for the Swiss cinema premiere in the Kino Rex. A podium discussion has taken place after the premiere, on which besides the film director and film producer, Stefan Hertwig, curator at the Natural History Museum in Bern and Pia Stieger, Head of SwissCollNet were debating about the importance of natural history collections for science and society.