Linnaean enterprise

The Linnaean enterprise is the task of identifying and describing all living species. It is named after Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, ecologist and physician who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of taxonomy[1].

As of 2006, the Linnaean enterprise is considered to be barely begun. There are estimated to be 10 million living species, but only about 1.5-1.8 million have been even named, and fewer than 1% of these have been studied enough to understand the basics of their ecological roles.[1] Linnaean enterprise plays a larger role in applied science and basic science. With applied science, it can assist in finding new natural products and species (bioprospecting) and effective conservation practices[1]. It allows for an understanding of evolutionary biology and how ecosystems function in basic science[1].

The cost of completing the Linnaean Enterprise has been estimated at US$ 5 billion.[1]

Carl Linnaeus

Carl Linnaeus 1707-1778, was one of the most well known natural scientists of his time. Very unsatisfied with the current way of naming living things, he is responsible for creating the two part system or process in which we use today, to name all living things called binomial nomenclature.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Wilson, Edward O. (2000-09-29). "A Global Biodiversity Map". Science. 289 (5488): 2279–2279. doi:10.1126/science.289.5488.2279. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 11041790.
  2. ↑ "Carolus Linnaeus - Biography, Facts and Pictures". www.famousscientists.org. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  • Edward O. Wilson, A Global Biodiversity Map, Science 29 September 2000: Vol. 289. no. 5488, p. 2279
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