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Impediment to Taxonomy and Its Impact on Biodiversity Science: An Indian Perspective

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Abstract

Taxonomy is the science which serves as the major tool in discovering, describing and classifying the diversity of life. However, the existence of impediments to taxonomy is recognized as one of the major obstacles in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The acute shortage of taxonomic expertise and resources has resulted into a poor knowledge and database of global biodiversity, particularly in the developing world. India, a mega-diverse country sharing four global biodiversity hotspots, is having several lacunae in taxonomic knowledge, which has serious implications on the growth of biodiversity science, conservation planning and policy making. It is in this context that the present article critically reviews the existing impediments to taxonomy in India, underscores the various causes responsible for the poor taxonomic knowledge of Indian biota; and also evaluates the country-level initiatives taken, so far. Looking ahead, the authors suggest a way-forward to infuse a fresh lease of life into the taxonomic research, that in turn could provide ‘bricks and mortar’ for building the National Biodiversity Information Infrastructure in the country.

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Acknowledgments

The authors greatly acknowledge the fruitful discussions with our colleagues that have shaped the ideas expressed here. Also, Head, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J and K, India, is acknowledged for providing necessary facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190 006, Jammu & Kashmir, India

    G. H. Dar, Anzar A. Khuroo & Akhtar H. Malik

  2. Forestry and Ecology Division, National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad, 500 625, Andhra Pradesh, India

    C. S. Reddy

Authors
  1. G. H. Dar
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  2. Anzar A. Khuroo
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  3. C. S. Reddy
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  4. Akhtar H. Malik
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Correspondence to Anzar A. Khuroo.

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Dar, G.H., Khuroo, A.A., Reddy, C.S. et al. Impediment to Taxonomy and Its Impact on Biodiversity Science: An Indian Perspective. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 82, 235–240 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-012-0031-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-012-0031-3

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