Algae Archive Project: Digitization and Exhibition of Marine Algae from the SGO Herbarium, National Museum of Natural History

By Fundación Mar Adentro and Natural History Museum.

Marine Algae form a fundamental part of the biocultural heritage of the oceans, and their valuing requires collaborative initiatives that articulate art and science. In this sense, the Botanical Area of the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN), Fundación Mar Adentro (FMA), and the Algae Archive (ADLA), through a working alliance, began in 2023 a first process of Digitization of the Marine Algae Collection from the SGO Herbarium with the objective of generating new knowledge and contributing to the dissemination of the diverse species of marine algae that inhabit Chile.

The Marine Algae Collection of the SGO Herbarium (MNHN) was initiated in 1911, however, it was not until 1980 that the Botanical Area established a research line on algae from the Chilean coast with emphasis on the island territories of Rapa Nui, the Juan Fernández Archipelago, and the Antarctic Peninsula, gathering approximately 80% of the benthic marine flora of continental, oceanic, and Antarctic Chile. This base of systematic, taxonomic, and biogeographic knowledge has made it possible to generate important momentum for phycological research at the Museum, which was led by marine biologist María Eliana Ramírez.

Specifically, the Algae Archive Project considers two stages. The first corresponded to the documentation, taxonomic updating, and curatorial review of the first 100 specimens selected for subsequent digitization (photographs), a stage that concluded during October of this year (Photograph 1).

Photograph 1. Documentation, taxonomic updating, and curatorial review of specimens for subsequent digitization (Valentina Montoya and María Eliana Ramírez)

The second stage is oriented toward exhibition, dissemination, and mediation of the archive, which will be developed during the first semester of 2024. Thus, during this year a discrete selection of specimens from the more than 2,000 that make up the Museum’s Marine Algae Collection has been launched, a stage that contemplates, in addition to photographs of the species (Photograph 2), the compilation of associated content, preparation for exhibition, and the placement of the record in the MNHN platform and database, as well as adaptation of the information to the Algae Archive (archivodelasalgas.org).

Photograph 2. Photographic record of the 100 specimens from the Marine Algae Collection of the SGO-MNHN Herbarium (Photographs taken by Felipe Infante)

The Algae Archive Project has the participation of a professional team made up of marine biologist María Eliana Ramírez (Curator Emerita, Botanical Area-SGO Herbarium), principal creator of the Collection, together with marine biologist Valentina Montoya, photographer Felipe Infante. Also participating are Javiera Gutiérrez, strategic designer and director of ADLA, and Maya Errázuriz, curator and art historian, Director of Art and Publications at Fundación Mar Adentro (Photograph 3).

Photograph 3. Scientific-artistic curatorial work of the Algae Archive Project 2023 (From left to right, Maya Errázuriz, Javiera Gutiérrez, and Valentina Montoya)

Beginning in November of this year, a period of designing strategies for disseminating the Project will commence. To this end, the creation of audiovisual, sonic, graphic pieces, and installations is contemplated, which seek to attract intergenerational audiences. At the same time, material will be developed to make known the history of the Marine Algae Collection of the SGO Herbarium, in its links and relationships with art and science. Additionally, educational workshops and experimental sessions will be held to address the diverse perspectives surrounding the role and importance of algae as part of our country’s biocultural heritage.

Finally, it is worth noting that the creation of this digital repository will make it possible to bring the diversity of marine algae from the coasts of Chile closer to the public from the scientific, artistic, and educational spheres.

References

Ramírez C; M.E. and O. Gálvez H. 2016. Catalog of the Macroalgae of the Juan Fernández Archipelago and San Ambrosio Islands, preserved in the National Herbarium of Chile (SGO), of the National Museum of Natural History, Santiago, Chile (MNHNCL). Occasional Publication No. 65: 11-63.