The Swedish Taxonomy Initiative
Sweden's biodiversity is much richer than previously thought. More than two thousand new species have been discovered since the Swedish Taxonomy Initiative (STI) was established. And there are many more to be found!
In 2002 the Swedish Species Information Centre (SSIC) was commissioned by the Swedish Parliament to identify all species of multicellular plants, fungi and animals in the country and to make the information available to scientists, conservationists and the public.
Helophilus fly on Wood Crane's Bill, Sand Lizard, the coral fungus Clavaria zollingeri . Photo: Johan Samuelsson
A severe blow to the Swedish Taxonomy Initiative
By order of the Ministry of Rural Affairs an inquiry on the Swedish Taxonomy Initiative (STI) was conducted during the spring. The report from the inquiry was made public in late June.
- The proposal is a severe blow to the STI and efforts to save biodiversity, says Johan Bodegård, Head of the Swedish Species Information Centre (SSIC) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU.
Despite threats to biodiversity and the need to describe Swedish species, the investigator proposes several major cutbacks - the annual funding would be reduced with 20 million SEK!
While the STI is proposed to be a permanent project, the Encyclopedia will cease to be published as books. It is instead recommended that the project results should be presented in digital form. The SSIC believes that there are major uncertainties if cost savings are consistent with such a switch. Furthermore, support for natural history museums are proposed to be cut by 50%.
The Swedish Ministry of Rural Affairs invited a number of interested parties to a hearing on the report's proposals on 29 June. During the hearing strong criticism was delivered against the proposal. About 4800 critical comments have been sent to the SSIC - they will be summarized and forwarded to the Ministry.
A decision on the future of the STI can be expected during Autumn 2012.