Development of web-based interactive system for taxonomy of the plants of Indian Subcontinent
Ganeshaiah, K. N.1, Rajanikanth, G.2, Mohan, G.S.2, 3, Nanditha Mahadev1, Uma Shaanker, R.1
1University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore - 560065, India
2Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Hebbal, Bangalore - 560024, India.
3For correspondence: mohan@atree.org
This paper offers the details on the efforts at our center in developing a computer aided taxonomic networking system for Indian subcontinent. Taxonomists in India have difficulties in accessing the relevant specimens and literature because a significant proportion of both are distributed in different parts of the world. Further, owing to the logistic hurdles in keeping up with the developments in plant systematics elsewhere in the globe, Indian taxonomists have been facing difficulty in updating their own work. However, it is possible to overcome these hurdles through creation of a digital database on the relevant specimens and literature and an interactive cyber networking system through which taxonomists can objectively and continuously interact.
In this direction, we have been developing a regional “Cyber Taxonomy” platform for the Indian subcontinent. As first step, we have developed; a) taxonomic database from over 300 flora books b) website on taxonomy, images, distribution of Indian plants and, c) software system to track linkages among different nomenclatures. We plan to convert this platform into an interactive “Cyber Taxonomy” system for the region. We hope this model would serve as a viable and workable alternative for the conventional taxonomy in developing countries.