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Title: Synopsis of proposals on botanical nomenclature – Shenzhen 2017: A review of the proposals concerning the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants submitted to the XIX International Botanical Congress

Author
item TURLAND, NICHOLAS - Botanischer Garten Und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem
item Wiersema, John

Submitted to: Taxon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2017
Publication Date: 2/22/2017
Citation: Turland, N.J., Wiersema, J.H. 2017. Synopsis of proposals on botanical nomenclature – Shenzhen 2017: A review of the proposals concerning the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants submitted to the XIX International Botanical Congress. Taxon. 66:217-274.

Interpretive Summary: Accurate scientific names of algae, fungi, and plants are essential for communication about them. This is especially true in the international exchange of agricultural, horticultural, and forest products, or for disseminating information about them. An international set of rules have been developed about how the names should be applied to ensure consistency and stability. These rules were most recently published in 2012, following the Melbourne International Botanical Congress (IBC) of 2011, and are subject to review and adjustment every six years. The next Congress will take place in Shenzhen, China in 2017. This Synopsis, prepared by the conveners of the Nomenclature Session of that Congress, provides an evaluation of all proposals to amend the rules that have been submitted for consideration at the Session. The Synopsis provides information on the impact of each proposal to existing names, so participants can make credible decisions that avoid disruptive changes to the rules and to plant names. This technical publication will be used primarily by attendees of the Nomenclature Session of the IBC. However, preserving the stability of names is important to a wide range of stakeholders, including research and service scientists, regulatory officials, and those concerned with trade and commerce.

Technical Abstract: Science requires a precise, stable, and simple system of nomenclature used by scientists in all countries of the world, dealing on the one hand with the terms that denote the ranks of taxonomic groups, and on the other with the scientific names that are applied to the individual taxonomic units of algae, fungi, and plants. The current edition of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants incorporates the changes and additions approved at the International Botanical Congress (IBC) in Melbourne, Australia in 2011. This provides a stable method of naming taxonomic groups of algae, fungi, and plants, but is subject to revision every 6 years at the Nomenclature Session of an IBC, the next one to be held in Shenzhen, China in 2017. This Synopsis includes details on all 397 proposals submitted for consideration by that Session, with an evaluation by the Session’s Rapporteurs of each one, taking account of the possible impact on existing plant nomenclature. The Synopsis will help guide the preliminary mail vote, and determine those proposals that will be taken up for discussion and possible adoption in Shenzhen. The assessment provided by the Rapporteurs ensures that only proposals that contribute to stability of scientific plant names will be given serious consideration in Shenzhen.