Rationale

DNA barcoding is based on the observation that species can be distinguished and identified using a short gene sequence, standardised for each of the main branches of the tree of  life. Ideally DNA barcode sequences act as a proxy for species identifications, something only expert taxonomists could previously do. As a result, ecologists, population biologists, ecosystem scientists, government officials and others are now able to conduct their work with a high degree of confidence in species identifications. DNA barcoding is also proving to be a breakthrough for the study of poorly known taxonomic groups that were impenetrable to the taxonomist’s traditional approaches. Taken together, DNA barcode data provide a new tool for addressing both academic questions in evolutionary biology and ecology, and practical problems that face society.

The lack of a simple, democratic and sensitive species reference system is costing society daily, i.e. pathogens, disease vectors, agricultural pests or invasive species that are not identified properly or fast enough can cause great risk. In addition, without proper monitoring, we may be ignorant of many of the ongoing biological consequences of global climate change. We propose to establish a European species reference system, using an approach that will cut the costs by up-scaling and centralising the production of reference data, while at the same time providing a basis for molecular-based biodiversity monitoring in areas relevant for conservation.

Europe is well positioned to assume a leadership role in the DNA barcoding movement. Europe’s natural history museums, herbaria, and botanical gardens, taken collectively, are the world’s greatest repository of biological specimens. This new initiative is a logical follow-up and extension of EDIT, the European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy, an EU Network of Excellence that is streamlining the access and general availability of European specimen collections to research.