In 2017 abandoned on the dusty attic for at least twenty years the valuable fungi collection was discovered. After the investigation, it turned out that counting 2159 specimens collection is forgotten and long wanted life work of professor Andrzej Nespiak, a significant polish mycologist (1921-1981). The decision was easy: the collection must be restored, digitalised and secured for the future. These processes met many difficulties on all possible levels.

The project consisted of three main stages: cataloging, conservation, and digitisation.

Cataloging stage showed how valuable the collection is. Almost every specimen has very detailed information about location and habitat like hosting plant name (even specific names for bark or dead branches for fungi growing on wood), soil type for terrestrial ones, phytocoenosis, etc. Almost every specimen has a microscopic drawing of spores with dimensions attached. Collection dates mostly mention only month and year of collection. The big problem cataloging was chaotic naming. No name contains the names of authors. Different grammatic forms of specific epithets of the same species are used. There are a lot of species names and lower taxa names which do not exist in Index Fungorum. The main challenge was to set one standard of conduct.

Conservation stage was very important. Despite the attic was quite dry, many specimens were damaged. A small part was exposed to water and slightly infected by mold. Some were damaged by insects due to high temperatures in summer. All specimens were covered in dust. In the beginning, the whole collection was dried and frozen to stop mold and insects. Later mold was removed and all specimens were transferred to the new envelopes and boxes. All stationery used in herbarium is archive quality, acid-free.

During the digitisation stage, all specimens were photographed with labels and all additional information and drawings.

The whole project brought many challenges and required from staff a lot of commitment and deepening knowledge to properly select solutions.

funghi, digitisation, conservation, herbarium

Klemens Jakubowski