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The Swedish Taxonomy Initiative

A unique project with the purpose to identify and describe all species of animals, plants and fungi in Sweden, prioritizing poorly known species and organism groups.

Bakborstmask frilagd. Illustration

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 SLU 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.

More than half of the Swedish species are more or less poorly known. Almost nothing is known about where they occur, how they live or about their roles in the ecosystems. Several thousands of species also remain to be found.

Steering committee of the Swedish Taxonomy Initiative

Members

  • Stefan Ekman, Museum of Evolution, Uppsala University
  • Kjell Arne Johanson, The Swedish Museum of Natural History
  • Ellen Larsson, University of Gothenburg
  • Susanne Lundmark, SLU Swedish Species Information Centre
  • Liselott Sjödin Skarp, SLU Swedish Species Information Centre (chairman)
  • Thomas Strid, Entomologiska Föreningen i Stockholm
  • Stine Svalheim Markussen, Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre, Norway

Long-term goals of the Swedish Taxonomy Initiative

Long-term goals of the Swedish Taxonomy Initiative

  • Swedish biodiversity is well-known and scientifically described to species level
  • The names and taxonomic relationships of all Swedish eukaryotes are collected and made available
  • Information to enable identification of all multicellular Swedish species is provided
  • The relevance of the Swedish Taxonomy Initiative to society as a whole and the scientific results achieved are communicated efficiently – and the opportunities arising from national and international cooperation are grasped
Published: 16 April 2020 - Page editor: mia.maria.ronell@slu.se
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