Taxonomy is the science of classifying living things. Taxonomists give scientific names to species that reveal how they are related to one another, helping us understand biodiversity. While scientists estimate there are 30 million species on Earth, taxonomists have only identified and named about 1.7 million so far. Taxonomists' work produces identification tools that help conservationists understand and protect biodiversity. The Global Taxonomy Initiative addresses the shortage of taxonomists around the world.

1. Taxonomy:
By: María Paula Sanabria Cardona

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

3. What's in a name?
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.

4. How many species are there?
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.

5. How does it help conservation?
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.

6. What about taxonomy across the
globe?
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.

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

8. Earliest taxonomy
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16933199

9. The Herbalists
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16933302

10. Early Taxonomists
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16933353

11. Linnaean Era
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16933483

12. Transforming Botany And Zoology
Into a Science
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16933534

13. Post-linnaean Taxonomy
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16933679

14. Rules For Nomenclature
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16933727

15. From Phenetics to Phylogenies
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16933937

16. Phylocode
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/16934010

17. Some websites associated with this
lecture
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/

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