Taxonomy

What is taxonomy? Why is taxonomy so important? And where are taxonomists needed?

What is taxonomy?

Describing and naming species is the first step in researching biodiversity.

Only those who know all species and where they occur and how they live can assess the negative and positive effects of our actions on biodiversity.

Based on this knowledge, people can make appropriate decisions to promote biodiversity.

Foto: Universität Hohenheim / Astrid Untermann.

What do taxonomists do? They ...

... describe new species

using morphological methods (microscopy) to document the external and internal anatomy of organisms,
with molecular methods (decoding gene sequences),
with biochemical analyses in the laboratory (analysis of sex hormones) and
by analysing behaviour in the field (bird song).

... categorise species into a system (taxa) using statistics and algorithms to identify relationships based on genetic material.

... identify species in the context of faunistic surveys, monitoring and expertises and pass on species knowledge.

There are taxonomists with specialised knowledge for a wide range of species groups.

They work ...

in research and teaching
in teacher training and in further education and training centres
in planning offices or as freelancers
in companies and public institutions that are committed to nature conservation and environmental protection
in non-government organisations and
in nature conservation authorities.

What contribution does the Center for Biodiversity and integrative Taxonomy make?

With the Center for Biodiversity and integrative Taxonomy (KomBioTa), the state of Baden-Württemberg has created an institution that is unique in Germany and is committed to the academic training of a new generation of taxonomists.

KomBioTa aims to promote taxonomy as a science through cooperation between natural history museums and universities and to train the next generation in species knowledge for practical application.

More information

Are you a scientists or teacher in species knowledge and want to network?

The Center for Biodiversity and integrative Taxonomy (KomBioTa) is responsible for the networking of teachers and researchers in the various subdisciplines of taxonomy.

Our aim is to drive forward cooperations, bring knowledge into flow and jointly develop research, education and knowledge transfer.

Become a member Contact us!