Introduction

It is no secret that biodiversity on earth is declining. Measuring the decline is difficult because neither the total number of species nor the rate of loss is known. And even for specialists it is sometimes hard to tell whether two specimens belong to the same or to different species. DNA barcoding, an identification tool contrived in the past decade, will be able to accurately and quickly identify a species. It uses a short standardized gene sequence which, once reference data is available, functions as a unique identifier for any life form.

Since Europe has the world’s largest repositories of biological specimens, the expertise and the expert workforce, it is well positioned to assume a leading role in the DNA barcoding movement and to reap its benefits. By establishing a European network of high throughput DNA barcoding laboratories, we will be able to identify and monitor biodiversity and improve the quality of life.

Calibrating European Biodiversity using DNA Barcodes (ECBOL) was established following the Leiden DNA Barcoding in Europe meeting in 2007. The network is seeking to obtain funding with the help of EuroBioFund, an organization fostering greater interactions among European life science funders and scientists.

Click here to read the interview EuroBioFund had with Prof. Pedro Crous from CBS Fungal Biodiversity Center.

Click here to download the brochure Calibrating Europe's Biodiversity and the Barcode of Life Initiative (5.6 Mb).

Click here to download the ECBOL factsheet.