Taxonomic Concepts

Furthering the understanding of biodiversity and ecology requires the integration and analysis of data from a wide range of data sets, the majority of which make reference to biological taxa. However, to simply refer to these taxa by a scientific name is inadequate. Not only is there no globally unique list of all known biological taxa to which reference can be made, but due to the fundamental nature of taxonomy the underlying concepts associated with scientific names have changed over time resulting in a many to many mapping between the scientific names of taxa and the underlying concepts. Therefore to be unambiguous in the recording of biodiversity information and to integrate data from disparate sources meaningfully, it is important to refer to the taxonomic concept as opposed to simply the scientific name (or even worse, the common name).

This issue has been overlooked or over-simplified by many existing systems which provide reference lists of taxa, however the requirement for a concept-based approach to taxonomy is now widely recognised. Several taxonomic database systems do exist which model taxonomic concepts effectively, however they are not as yet in widespread use. Additionally these taxonomic databases have differing conceptual models of taxonomy which differ in quality of representation of taxonomic concept. To address this problem it has been recognised that a common standard model for the transfer of taxonomic concept data between systems should be developed to allow for the integration of taxonomic data from the wide range of data sources available.

This workshop will present and open up for discussion the ongoing work in the development of such a taxonomic data transfer standard. The standard work is being funded by SEEK and GBIF and is supported by and considering the taxonomic models of several groups developing taxonomic databases including SEEK, GBIF, Berlin Model, Species 2000, VegBank, Prometheus, Nomencurator, IOPI, APNI, Taxonomer and ITIS. While we do not wish to exclude any particular model we are limited in terms of the number that can be addressed comprehensively, therefore input by developers of others systems will be encouraged to ensure that no vital information is excluded.

The workshop will be of interest and is open to all taxonomists and biologists interested in contributing constructively to the development and use of a taxonomic transfer standard. An informal setting will be encouraged to promote a productive discussion and input from all participants. The agenda will be arranged with some initial presentations to set the stage for the later discussions. By the end of the workshop, we will produce a high-level outline of our discussion findings, and a list of action items to consider before the TDWG meeting in October.

09:30-10:30 Presentation and Discussion - Chair Frank Bisby:
   # 1: Why a taxonomic concept standard and for whom? (45mins + discussion of user community coverage)- Jessie Kennedy 
10:30-11:00 Tea and Coffee
11:00-12:30 Presentation and Discussion - Chair Bob Peet: (Glossary of terms distributed prior to/at meeting)
   # 2: Taxonomic Concept Transfer Schema (1hr presentation + 0.5 hour discussion)- Robert Kukla 
12:30-14:00 Lunch
14:00-15:30 Presentations and Discussion - Chair Donald Hobern: 
   # 3: Globally Unique Identifiers: why, where and how? (30 min presentation + 15 min discussion)- Dave Thau
   # 4: Experience from Mapping Existing Models to the Transfer Schema (30 min presentation + 15 min discussion)- Robert Kukla
15:30-16:00 Tea and Coffee
16:00-16:45 Presentation and Discussion - Chair Walter Berendsohn: 
   # 5: Preliminary description/outline of proposed exchange protocols (30 min presentation + 15 min discussion)- Robert Kukla
16:45-18:00 Discussion session: Priorities for the next phase, Outline workshop findings and action items for report - Jessie Kennedy/Frank Bisby
18:00 Close