Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Accurate taxonomy, including species identification and naming, underpins ecological inference, yet taxonomic information in ecological datasets is often inconsistently recorded or weakly standardized. With the increasing integration of ecological datasets across taxa and regions, datasets with poor taxonomic practices can hinder data exchange and propagate errors. We propose 10 rules to improve the storage and management of taxonomic information in ecological datasets. These rules draw on our experiences in plant ecology and taxonomy, but the conclusions may be generalized to other organisms and disciplines. They emphasize aspects from species identification to the permanent storage of verifiable records (e.g. voucher specimens) and include taxonomic standardization, nomenclature, validation, and updating. We also address the treatment of morphotypes and incomplete identifications, the use of automated name-matching tools, and (meta)data standards. Closer collaboration between ecologists and taxonomists is key to ensuring more robust datasets. The application of these rules consumes more time and resources, but they enhance data quality and interoperability, saving time during data integration and improving the reliability and scalability of ecological research.
Source: New Phytologist
DOI: 10.1111/nph.71658
Authors: Renato A. Ferreira de Lima, Guilherme S. Grittz, Moabe F. Fernandes, Hans ter Steege, Kyle G. Dexter, Oliver Phillips, Marli P. Morim, Jérôme Chave, Géraldine Derroire, Filipe M. França, Tamara Heartsill‐Scalley, Ricardo A. Segovia, Caroline E. R. Lehmann, Luis Cayuela, Karina Banda, Cecilia Blundo, Jesús Aguirre‐Gutiérrez, André L. de Gasper, R. Toby Pennington
Institutions: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Utrecht University, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, University of Turin, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Universidade de Brasília, Forests and Societies, University of Bristol, Universidade Federal do Pará, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, University of Concepción, Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Fundación para la Educación y el Desarrollo Social, National University of Tucumán, Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Exeter, Missouri Botanical Garden
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,790
Funders: U.S. Department of Agriculture, UK Research and Innovation, Royal Society, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, U.S. Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry
OpenAlex ID: W7221555700