PESI - a taxonomic backbone for Europe
Authors: de Jong Yde , Kouwenberg Juliana , Boumans Louis , Hussey Charles , Hyam Roger , Nicolson Nicola , Kirk Paul , Paton Alan , Michel Ellinor , Guiry Michael , Boegh Phillip , Pedersen Henrik , Enghoff Henrik , von Raab-Straube Eckhard , Güntsch Anton , Geoffroy Marc , Müller Andreas , Kohlbecker Andreas , Berendsohn Walter , Appeltans Ward , Arvanitidis Christos , Vanhoorne Bart , Declerck Joram , Vandepitte Leen , Hernandez Francisco , Nash Róisín , Costello Mark , Ouvrard David , Bezard-Falgas Pascale , Bourgoin Thierry , Wetzel Florian , Glöckler Falko , Korb Günther , Ring Caroline , Hagedorn Gregor , Häuser Christoph , Aktaç Nihat , Asan Ahmet , Ardelean Adorian , Borges Paulo , Dhora Dhimiter , Khachatryan Hasmik , Malicky Michael , Ibrahimov Shaig , Tuzikov Alexander , De Wever Aaike , Moncheva Snejana , Spassov Nikolai , Chobot Karel , Popov Alexi , Boršić Igor , Sfenthourakis Spyros , Kõljalg Urmas , Uotila Pertti , Gargominy Olivier , Dauvin Jean-Claude , Tarkhnishvili David , Chaladze Giorgi , Tuerkay Michael , Legakis Anastasios , Peregovits László , Gudmundsson Gudmundur , Ólafsson Erling , Lysaght Liam , Galil Bella , Raimondo Francesco , Domina Gianniantonio , Stoch Fabio , Minelli Alessandro , Spungis Voldermars , Budrys Eduardas , Olenin Sergej , Turpel Armand , Walisch Tania , Krpach Vladimir , Gambin Marie , Ungureanu Laurentia , Karaman Gordan , Kleukers Roy , Stur Elisabeth , Aagaard Kaare , Valland Nils , Moen Toril , Bogdanowicz Wieslaw , Tykarski Piotr , Węsławski Jan , Kędra Monika , M. de Frias Martins Antonio , Abreu António , Silva Ricardo , Medvedev Sergei , Ryss Alexander , Šimić Smiljka , Marhold Karol , Stloukal Eduard , Tome Davorin , Ramos Marian , Valdés Benito , Pina Francisco , Kullander Sven , Telenius Anders , Gonseth Yves , Tschudin Pascal , Sergeyeva Oleksandra , Vladymyrov Volodymyr , Rizun Volodymyr , Raper Chris , Lear Dan , Stoev Pavel , Penev Lyubomir , Rubio Ana , Backeljau Thierry , Saarenmaa Hannu , Ulenberg Sandrine 
Published: September 2015

Reliable taxonomy underpins communication in all of biology, not least nature conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem resources. The flexibility of taxonomic interpretations, however, presents a serious challenge for end-users of taxonomic concepts. Users need standardised and continuously harmonised taxonomic reference systems, as well as high-quality and complete taxonomic data sets, but these are generally lacking for non-specialists. The solution is in dynamic, expertly curated web-based taxonomic tools.

The Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure (PESI) worked to solve this key issue by providing a taxonomic e-infrastructure for Europe. It strengthened the relevant social (expertise) and information (standards, data and technical) capacities of five major community networks on taxonomic indexing in Europe, which is essential for proper biodiversity assessment and monitoring activities. The key objectives of PESI were: 1) standardisation in taxonomic reference systems, 2) enhancement of the quality and completeness of taxonomic data sets and 3) creation of integrated access to taxonomic information.

This paper describes the results of PESI and its future prospects, including the involvement in major European biodiversity informatics initiatives and programs.