What use are species lists? Species are the most practical and widely applicable measure of biodiversity. They are the common currency for marine biodiversity research and management, and the only measure of biodiversity with a well-established standardized code of nomenclature. Species names (taxonomy) are thus at the foundation of quality control in biological studies.

Costello, M.J. 2000. Developing species information systems: The European Register of Marine Species (ERMS). Oceanography 13(3):48–55, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2000.09.

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