Curatorial Management on Geological and Paleontological Collections in Brazil: Integrative Policies for the Ex Situ Geoheritage

Abstract

 Numerous challenges are associated with scientific collection management including available resources, strategy development, communication, conservation plans, incorporation policies and other issues arising in day-to-day operations. All of these actions are part of ex situ geological and paleontological collections each with their own problems and solutions. This study carries out a comparative investigation of integrative strategies (databases and networks) in Brazilian geology and paleontology collections related to the university environment. A survey submitted to curators from 41 collections at 23 different institutions from Brazil allowed gathering information about their curatorial practices. The collected data used quantitative and qualitative methodologies, drawing parallel to the literature when appropriate. The analysis of these Brazilian collections shows how transdisciplinary innovation transforms museological environments, based on networks and database systems, enabling best practices. Whether through collection networks, systems or databases, interdisciplinary work permeates the entire life of the scientific object and, therefore, is considered a fundamental action in its maintenance and management. It became clear that the national reality, permeated with museological solutions, could easily be interpreted and adapted for similar collections, agreeing on best practices to the preservation of ex situ paleontological and geological heritage.