Besides preserving them for posterity, why are my photos valuable?
Every photo you add informs the database as a whole, thus helping users develop a deeper regional understanding.
Photos document that a particular taxon occurred at a particular place and time, providing baseline knowledge for which to track change. Some photos document the plant phenology —when it was budding, flowering, fruiting, senescent. Your photos help educate other plant enthusiasts and encourage them to botanize. They may also provide locations for researchers seeking voucher specimens. They contribute to floristic knowledge e.g. What Grows Here? and What Could Grow Here: Calflora's Planting Guide.
What if I have many photos of one species at one location?
Why does Calflora require a location for each photo?
The soil, climate, and location tolerances of each species are documented when you add your observation. These are valuable when considering what DOES grow and what COULD grow at a specific location.
What if I only know the general location where I took the photo?
Indicate low location accuracy when editing your record while you're getting ready to publish it.
I don't know what species it is.
What about rare plants?
Can I add photos of plants from my garden?
What license will my photos have on Calflora?
Photo contributors may decide if their photos are publicly available for non-commercial use or not.
If I didn't see anything unusual, and if my photo isn't my best, do you want my plant photos?
Yes, for all the aforementioned reasons; reply to this email for a more personal response and for any help. We look forward to seeing your photos uploaded here!
