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Ecology needs a convention of nomenclature

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 06:41 authored by Herrando-Perez, S, Barry BrookBarry Brook, Bradshaw, CJA
Many areas of science have adopted nomenclature rules that facilitate research and communication. In contrast, ecological terminology is constantly redefined across disciplines, plagued with synonymy and polysemy, and foundational terms (and the theories and hypotheses behind them) are overlooked. We contend that this situation handicaps the progress of ecology. We review the causes and consequences of terminological uncertainty and propose a convention of ecological nomenclature (CEN) as an indispensable requirement of ecological synthesis. The core components of a CEN are its endorsement by a transnational institution; a policy framework managed by an advisory committee; and a centralized, peer-reviewed revision of terminology whereby ecologists are proponents and users of a unique, open-access repository of terms, definitions, and ontologies. A CEN should become the basis of a cross-disciplinary platform of communication among ecologists, journals, and the public and aligns with the ongoing initiative toward data globalization in ecology and other disciplines.

History

Publication title

BioScience

Volume

64

Issue

4

Pagination

311-321

ISSN

0006-3568

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Place of publication

United States

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 The Author(s)

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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