Biodiversity and biosystematic research in a brave new 21st century information-technology world

By

Anderson, Robert S. (Robert Samuel), 1957-
Majka, Christopher

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2009

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

22

Pages

1-4

Subjects

Biodiversity , biosystematics , Coleoptera , extinction , taxonomic deficit

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.22.222

 

Abstract

A variety of challenges to biodiversity and biosystematics research are discussed. Despite escalating estimates of the biodiversity of the planet, resources being devoted to advance this knowledge have been in decline. Despite the proliferation of information technologies, the focus of knowledge has frequently shifted to making information readily available, rather than generating new information. The principles of authorial responsibility and of explicit documentation of knowledge are under siege. The shortfall of investment in training, research, and collections management (the ''taxonomic deficit'') has lead to a ''taxonomic impediment'' to ecological research, at a time when rates of extinction appear to be rising dramatically. The contents of present volume represent stepping-stones of biodiversity research – a discipline vital to the future of life on the planet.