Taxonomy
A brief overview
Taxonomy is as old as humankind. It is at the very heart of our knowledge of biodiversity. Taxonomy is described as the science, the efforts and the tools behind global species discovery and naming. Understanding the name of a species grants access to a wealth of information and knowledge about its biology, distribution and significance to humanity. In essence, taxonomy is the connecting chain between the different biological disciplines. Over time, the way species are being recognised and described has evolved, together with our knowledge of biodiversity and our organisation and use of this knowledge in a digital era.
The activities of this Taxonomy Working Group will greatly be based on the ongoing work within the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), to keep the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), its infrastructure (Aphia) and related systems up-and-running, while also exploring opportunities to improve existing content and services. Taxonomists will be assisted in their research and data management, and the WoRMS Data Management Team will liaise with other global data systems, which rely on Aphia-WoRMS as their taxonomic backbone.
Help us to improve and expand the suite of taxonomic services for Aphia and its many sub-registers, including the World Register of Marine Species. Stay informed about updates, resources, and opportunities for collaboration!
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Key Objectives
Discussing the current state of the Taxonomy Services, how they match with the scientific community needs and requirements and identify approaches and priorities to further improve these services, as well as user engagement.
As part of ongoing Aphia-WoRMS activities, the Data Management Team supports editor-meetings by either facilitation or participation. When opportunities arise, the Aphia-WoRMS work is presented at meetings and conferences, both as a Data Management Team activity and in collaboration with taxonomic experts.
Mapping opportunities for project application for Aphia-WoRMS to Horizon Europe calls and to other calls of national/international relevance.
Picture from WoRMS
Coordinator
