Arizona Flora

Research checklists are pre-compiled by floristic scientists. This is a very controlled method for building a species list, which allows for specific specimens to be linked to the species names within the checklist and thus serve as vouchers. Specimen vouchers are proof that the species actually occurs in the given area. If there is any doubt, one can inspect these specimens for verification or annotate the identification when necessary.

Survey Species Lists are defined through the linkage of species occurrences to a survey project name. This method allows long-term biological surveys to be conducted through group participation. If a team member comes across a new species, they document the occurrence through a specimen collection or a photo observation. Linking the occurrence to a survey project automatically adds the species to the checklist. Verification of the occurrence by taxonomic experts ensure that a correct identified has been made. If the occurrence was misidentified, an annotation of the physical specimen within a collection or of an image stored within the system will automatically adjust the species. Explicit maintenance of the species list is unnecessary since the checklist is dynamically generated from the vouchers on demand.