Fieldcollected

Fieldcollected is a term used in scientific contexts to describe specimens, samples, or data gathered directly from natural environments by researchers or field technicians. It denotes that the object was collected in the field rather than obtained from controlled laboratory culture, commercial suppliers, or existing collections. The term is used across disciplines including biology, ecology, ethnobotany, archaeology, and environmental science to denote provenance and context critical for interpretation.

In taxonomy and botany, fieldcollected plant or animal specimens are collected with accompanying metadata such as collection date, location, habitat description, and collector identity, and may be deposited as voucher specimens in a museum or herbarium. In biodiversity surveys, fieldcollected observations and samples support assessments of species richness, genetic diversity, and ecological relationships. In pharmacognosy or ethnobotany, fieldcollected plant materials or remedies are documented for later chemical analysis, ensuring traceability to source populations.

Standard practice for fieldcollected items includes proper documentation, permits as required by local regulations, ethical considerations, and preservation methods appropriate to the material (e.g., drying plant specimens, preserving tissue in silica gel). Metadata may follow community standards such as geographic coordinates, elevation, habitat, and methodological notes, enabling reproducibility and reuse.

Challenges include environmental variability, degradation during transport, and variability in collection methods. Good fieldcollected data emphasize provenance, chain of custody, and accessibility through data repositories. Related terms include voucher specimen and fieldwork.