Taxonomy

Taxonomy:By: María Paula Sanabria Cardona

The scientists that do taxonomy are called taxonomists. Their work is crucial for all our efforts to conserve biodiversity.

Who is involved?

The names taxonomists give to species don't just tell us what they are called, but also tell us about how they are related to one another. This can help us to identify patterns in nature, and decide how best to protect the individual species that are part of the world's biodiversity.

What's in a name?

Scientists believe there may be as many as 30 million species of plants, animals and micro-organisms living on the Earth today. Every one of them plays a part in the global ecosystem. Taxonomists have only identified and named approximately 1.7 million of them so far.

How many species are there?

Taxonomists use their knowledge to help produce lists of names and identification tools in the form of species databases, field guides, collections and reference works. These tools help conservationists understand biodiversity and develop ways to protect it.

How does it help conservation?

In the UK, we have a relatively limited biodiversity. However, the UK has a long-standing, globally recognised excellence in the field of taxonomy. Many developing countries are home to amazingly rich biodiversity, but they have only very limited local taxonomic support.

What about taxonomy across the globe?

The Global Taxonomy Initiative of the Convention on Biological Diversity is helping to address the shortage of taxonomists and taxonomic expertise.

What is the Global Taxonomy Initiative?

Earliest taxonomy

http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16933199




The Herbalists




Early Taxonomists




Linnaean Era




Transforming Botany And Zoology Into a Science




Post-linnaean Taxonomy




Rules For Nomenclature




From Phenetics to Phylogenies




Phylocode



Emperors of China http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/chinese/emperors.html Picture of Ebers papyrus http://www.ub.uni-leipzig.de/site.php?page=die_ubl/sosa/rundgang/

ebers&lang=de&stil=fc Materia Medica of Dioscorides at http://www.bnnonline.it/biblvir/dioscoride/dioscoride.htm Linné online http://www.linnaeus.uu.se/online/index-en.html International Code of Botanical Nomenclature http://ibot.sav.sk/icbn/main.htm International Code of Zoological Nomenclature http://www.iczn.org/ PhyloCode http://www.ohiou.edu/phylocode/

Some websites associated with this lecture

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/science-of-natural-history/taxonomy-systematics/what-is-taxonomy/

Bibliography





Documents

Taxonomy