A Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure (PESI): towards a taxonomic bacbone for Europe

The correct use of names and their relationships is essential for biodiversity management; therefore the availability of taxonomically validated, standardised reference files is fundamental for biological e-infrastructures. PESI is the next step in integrating and securing taxonomically authoritative species name registers, serving to underpin the management of biodiversity in Europe, by building a Taxonomic Backbone for Europe

PESI - A taxonomic backbone for Europe

Reliable taxonomy underpins communication in all of biology, not least nature conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem resources. The flexibility of taxonomic interpretations, however, presents a serious challenge for end-users of taxonomic concepts. Users need standardised and continuously harmonised taxonomic reference systems, as well as highquality and complete taxonomic data sets, but these are generally lacking for nonspecialists. The solution is in dynamic, expertly curated web-based taxonomic tools. The Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure (PESI) worked to solve this key issue by providing a taxonomic e-infrastructure for Europe. It strengthened the relevant social (expertise) and information (standards, data and technical) capacities of five major community networks on taxonomic indexing in Europe, which is essential for proper biodiversity assessment and monitoring activities. The key objectives of PESI were: 1) standardisation in taxonomic reference systems, 2) enhancement of the quality and completeness of taxonomic data sets and 3) creation of integrated access to taxonomic information. New information This paper describes the results of PESI and its future prospects, including the involvement in major European biodiversity informatics initiatives and programs. © de Jong Y et al

PESI - a taxonomic backbone for Europe

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