Systematic
Biology and Biodiversity Inventories Cluster
The Systematic
Biology and Biodiversity Inventories Cluster supports the general
science of systematics, whose three main missions are: to discover,
describe, and inventory global species diversity; to analyze and
synthesize the information derived from this global discovery effort
into predictive classification systems that reflect the history
of life; and to organize the information derived from this global
program in efficiently retrievable forms that best meet the needs
of science and society. The Cluster manages review panels each fall
and spring, as well as special competitions for Revisionary Systematics
(REVSYS) and for Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy
(PEET).
Systematic
Biology: Supports the scientific study of biological species
diversity, and encompasses taxonomy, classification, and phylogenetics,
for all groups of organisms and for all habitats on Earth, including
marine environments. Activities include the discovery and description
of species, the organization of taxonomic information into hierarchical
predictive classifications associated with efficient, reliable identification
keys, and the analysis of evolutionary relationships among groups
of species and across the tree of life.
Biodiversity
Surveys and Inventories: Supports expeditionary work to discover,
describe, and document plant, animal, and microbial diversity throughout
the world, whether terrestrial, freshwater, or marine, and with
emphasis on well-vouchered natural history collections, or stocks
and cultures including associated databases. Supported surveys may
be primarily area-based (i.e., focusing on species inventory and
discovery, including biogeographic or evolutionary hypothesis testing),
clade-based (i.e., continental-scale to global species inventory
for a particular taxonomic group), or guild-based (i.e., surveys
that couple species inventory and discovery with ecological hypothesis
testing).
Revisionary
Syntheses in Systematics (REVSYS): [http://www.nsf.gov/bio/progdes/revsys.htm]
Seeks to revitalize revisionary and monographic research on species
so that it fully utilizes modern information technology at all stages
of the taxonomic enterprise from data capture and analysis to electronic
dissemination of results.
Partnerships
for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy (PEET): [http://www.nsf.gov/bio/progdes/biopeet.htm]
Biennial special competition to address three biodiversity-related
goals: monographic research on poorly known groups of organisms;
training of at least two new taxonomic experts; and web-based bioinformatics
for taxonomic resources. The deadline in March of odd-numbered
years precedes panel review in late spring.
Cluster
Contact Information
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