The species is the basic unit when measuring biodiversity. Taxonomy is the scientific tool to descibe, name and place species in specific groups according to kinship. It is also an important tool when implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity. The texts of the convention states that resources should be directed towards taxonomical work. Yet, there is a lack of researchers and other resources within the field.


Taxonomy

What is taxonomy?

Taxonomy for biological diversity
Taxonomy is a necessary tool when working with conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Lack of taxonomy
The lack of taxonomical resources affects the implementation of the convention.

Organisms of the world
About 1,7 miljon species of fauna, flora and microorganisms are known to science.

Swedish organisms
Swedish fauna and flora - about 60 000 species.

Policy
The research bill (in pdf-format, 946 kB)
The bill 2000/01:3 research and renewal, page 243
Activities
Swedish focal point for taxonomy
A Swedish mail-box for the taxonomical work within the convention.
All Swedish animals and plants are to be described (The Swedish Taxonomy Initiative)
GBIF Sweden
Research and collections
Museums
Universities
Gene-banks
Experts and researchers
International work
The Convention on Biological Diversity
Diversitas
Diversitas co-ordinates research organizations working with biodiversty. Taxonomy is brought up in Core Project 1: Discovering biodiversity and predicting its changes.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility - GBIF
GBIF is a planned network for taxonomic information.
Species 2000
An initiative to list all species of the world.
Expert Center for Taxonomic Information - ETI Biodiversity Center
ETI is working with electronic information systems for taxonomy.
BioNet International
BioNet is building regional networks for co-operation between institutions working with taxonomy.
 

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is the Swedish national focal point for the Clearing-House Mechanism of the convention.
Responsible for the page: Lars Berg
Last updated: 28 November 2003