Taxonomy is the science of classifying and identifying an organism using scientific names. The Swedish Botanist Carolus von Linnaeus brought out a system for the development of plant taxonomy. The development of taxonomy was supported by new discoveries in a variety of scientific fields, and it is crucial to regularly update our understanding of taxonomy and field botany in order to effectively communicate research findings to other scientific fields, such as medicine, agriculture and forestry. India possesses an abundance of 55,387 plant species (22,108 species of Angiosperms, 83 Gymnosperms, 1319 Pteridophytes, 2819 Bryophytes, 3044 Lichens, 15,701 Fungi, 9035 Algae and 1278 microbes) accounting for 14.66% of the global flora. India is home to about 27% of endemic plant species. Documentation requirements such as the People’s Biodiversity Register coming under Biological Diversity Act of 2002 and Report on Biological Environment required for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) also have a role in taxonomy expertise. Plant classification is the process of grouping plants together. It entails recognising and characterising a species. The phylogenetic classification system, which is according to evolutionary importance of plants, evolved from a basic artificial system (based on the morphological characteristics of the plant species) through a natural system. This chapter examines a variety of classification schemes, including natural, artificial and phylogenetic systems of classification. Bentham and Hooker’s classification system and the most recent Angiosperm Phylogeny Group IV (APG IV) classification are used as examples. Botanical nomenclature refers to the scientific method of naming plants. Carolus Linnaeus proposed a binomial nomenclature system. Every species is assigned a two-worded name: the first word is the genus name and the other is species epithet. The different principles and rules of plant nomenclature are explained, as well as the notable elements of both the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) and International Code of Nomenclature (ICN) for algae, fungi and plants. The accurate identification of a species is critical, because communication is only possible when the name is correct. The process of linking an unknown organism with a recognised one is known as identification. It is done by consulting a taxonomist or botanical literature, particularly flora and herbaria. This chapter also includes information on a dichotomous key for easy identification and a synopsis of Herbarium preparation processes.

Taxonomy: Importance, Relevance and Application

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发表日期：

2025年

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C. Kunhikannan,
M. V. Anju,
R. Prasanna

摘要

Taxonomy is the science of classifying and identifying an organism using scientific names. The Swedish Botanist Carolus von Linnaeus brought out a system for the development of plant taxonomy. The development of taxonomy was supported by new discoveries in a variety of scientific fields, and it is crucial to regularly update our understanding of taxonomy and field botany in order to effectively communicate research findings to other scientific fields, such as medicine, agriculture and forestry. India possesses an abundance of 55,387 plant species (22,108 species of Angiosperms, 83 Gymnosperms, 1319 Pteridophytes, 2819 Bryophytes, 3044 Lichens, 15,701 Fungi, 9035 Algae and 1278 microbes) accounting for 14.66% of the global flora. India is home to about 27% of endemic plant species. Documentation requirements such as the People’s Biodiversity Register coming under Biological Diversity Act of 2002 and Report on Biological Environment required for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) also have a role in taxonomy expertise. Plant classification is the process of grouping plants together. It entails recognising and characterising a species. The phylogenetic classification system, which is according to evolutionary importance of plants, evolved from a basic artificial system (based on the morphological characteristics of the plant species) through a natural system. This chapter examines a variety of classification schemes, including natural, artificial and phylogenetic systems of classification. Bentham and Hooker’s classification system and the most recent Angiosperm Phylogeny Group IV (APG IV) classification are used as examples. Botanical nomenclature refers to the scientific method of naming plants. Carolus Linnaeus proposed a binomial nomenclature system. Every species is assigned a two-worded name: the first word is the genus name and the other is species epithet. The different principles and rules of plant nomenclature are explained, as well as the notable elements of both the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) and International Code of Nomenclature (ICN) for algae, fungi and plants. The accurate identification of a species is critical, because communication is only possible when the name is correct. The process of linking an unknown organism with a recognised one is known as identification. It is done by consulting a taxonomist or botanical literature, particularly flora and herbaria. This chapter also includes information on a dichotomous key for easy identification and a synopsis of Herbarium preparation processes.