Biological Classification and Identification System

Biological Classification and Identification System (BCIS) Accurate identification of biological species is currently in high demand, not only by biodiversity researchers but also by natural-resource managers implementing applied measures for assessing, conserving, and using biodiversity. However, there are too few trained taxonomists to meet this high demand. The BCIS database is a basic, general-purpose system designed to help taxonomists, experts in biological classification, construct useful tools with which a variety of end-users can identify biological species. The database is intended to be applicable to any group of organisms. It is expected that species-identification systems for many groups of organisms will, in the future, be constructed as components of this general system. The basic system is designed so that any taxonomist, even without any knowledge of information technology, can easily construct a multi-species reference system based on a character matrix. This system is also designed to grow, in response to interactions between taxonomists and end-users, to cover increasing numbers of taxa and broader geographic areas. A taxonomist could, for example, start with a small database covering a single genus at a single locality, and subsequently add additional genera from other localities. The system design furthermore gives users a great deal of freedom in species identification. The traditional dichotomous branching method allows no freedom, and it is usually not easy for beginners to identify species correctly. The matrix-based multiple reference system allows users to start from any character set, and to follow any route, but leads them eventually to the correct answer. In addition, the system is designed to allow some misjudgements, and their correction, as identification proceeds. Finally, it provides information with which users can themselves confirm the correctness of their identifications. The features of species-reference databases created in this system will allow convenient, easy access to identifications by various non-specialists in taxonomy, e.g., biodiversity researchers, technicians, students, environmental managers, and the general public wishing to learn more about nature and the environment.

The Biological Classification and Identification System was constructed with financial support from the Hokkaido University 21st Century Center of Excellence (COE) Program for the “Neo-Science of Natural History,” and by the Special Coordination Fund for Promoting Science and Technology of the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.