"Once more, with feelings: why we need more insect taxonomists"

Issue Date

10-2012

Abstract

This paper reiterates the need for more specialists to meet the demands for taxonomic data and expertise both for the local clientele and for the region. Previous discourses on the status, plight and situations of insect taxonomy and taxonomists in the Philippines are reviewed. The age structure and working environment of the 'survivors' and few recruits are described. Current needs of the academe, environment, agriculture and industry are also discussed vis-a-vis emergent fields like environmental impacts of biotechnological innovations, forensics, bioinformatics, etc. and new situations like those brought about by climate change events, bioinvasions. Whereas previous and long-held perceptions confined the need for taxonomists to identification of pests as a requisite to pest control research, current situations press the surviving but continuously declining corps of taxonomists to conduct not only the usual identification work but also to get involved in studies of community ecology, conservation research and advocacy, etc. While taxonomy and correct identification remain as the most basic among the basic sciences and for that matter, also for the applied sciences and technological research, the needs and demands have expanded but the number of those taking up and supporting the field has continually declined. Prospects for collaboration with and support from all sectors and stakeholders ranging from the pest control industry to biodiversity conservation to climate biology are emphasized toward common and mutual benefits. Like Philippine entomology in general, the future of insect taxonomy and systematics in the Philippines is on our hands.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

26

Issue

2

Page

186-187

Document Type

Article

Frequency

biannually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

TAXONOMISTS; ENTOMOLOGISTS; SCIENTISTS; OCCUPATION; TAXONOMY; PHILIPPINES

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