Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF): Advancing Systematic Biology
The Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF) is a premier taxonomic research network composed of scientific institutions across Europe. Established in December 1996 by ten of the continent's largest botanical gardens and natural history museums, CETAF was created to provide a unified voice for taxonomy—the science of naming, defining, and classifying organisms—and systematic biology, which studies the diversification of living forms.
By fostering collaboration, CETAF promotes scientific research and enhances access to European natural history collections while strategically leveraging European funding opportunities to advance the field of biodiversity studies.
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Key Facts
- Founded: December 1996.
- Scale: 37 members comprising 63 institutions across 22 European countries.
- Collection Size: Member institutions hold approximately 500 million objects.
- Secretariat: Hosted by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
- Primary Goal: To promote taxonomy and systematic biology through research and collection access.
Organizational Structure and Governance
CETAF operates through a collaborative governance model to ensure representation from its diverse membership. General Meetings, attended by representatives from each member institution, are held twice a year. These meetings rotate among member institutions and are hosted at various botanical gardens or natural history museums across Europe.
Between these General Meetings, the organization's daily operations and business are managed by the Chair and the Steering Committee, with administrative support provided by the Secretariat.
Since 1998, several CETAF members and national consortia have utilized the European Commission's Framework Programmes. This support has been instrumental in enhancing transnational access to specialized equipment, scientific expertise, and biological collections.
Major Initiatives and Projects
CETAF has been a catalyst for numerous high-impact projects designed to modernize taxonomy and make biodiversity data more accessible. These initiatives range from digital infrastructure to academic training.
Research and Infrastructure
- SYNTHESYS (Synthesis of Systematic Resources): An Integrated Infrastructure Initiative funded under EU FPVI and FPVII.
- European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy (EDIT): A network of excellence for biodiversity and ecosystem research (2006–2011).
- ICEDIG: A project focused on the innovation and consolidation of large-scale digitisation for natural heritage.
- EU BON: The European Biodiversity Observation Network.
Publications and Education
- European Journal of Taxonomy (EJT): A peer-reviewed international journal (ISSN 2118-9773) dedicated to descriptive taxonomy of the eukaryotic world.
- Distributed European School of Taxonomy (DEST): An educational initiative established by EDIT.
- BIOTALENT: A blended e-learning program for biodiversity training.
Data and Access Services
- Biological Collection Access Service (BioCASe): Formerly known as BioCASE, this service facilitates access to biological collections.
- European Network for Biodiversity Information (ENBI): The European contribution to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), coordinated by the Zoological Museum Amsterdam until 2015.
- Fauna Europaea: A database focusing on the animal species of Europe.
Membership Overview
CETAF's strength lies in its broad geographical and institutional reach. Its members include national museums, university departments, and specialized research centers.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Members | 37 |
| Total Institutions | 63 |
| Countries Represented | 22 |
| Estimated Total Objects | ~500 Million |
Member nations include a wide array of European countries such as Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of CETAF?
CETAF serves as a voice for taxonomy and systematic biology in Europe, aiming to promote scientific research, facilitate access to natural history collections, and secure European funding for these disciplines.
How many specimens are managed by CETAF institutions?
Together, the institutions within the CETAF network hold approximately 500 million objects, representing a significant portion of the world's most important natural history collections.
What is the European Journal of Taxonomy?
The European Journal of Taxonomy (EJT) is a peer-reviewed international journal that focuses on descriptive taxonomy across the eukaryotic world.
Where is the CETAF General Secretariat located?
The General Secretariat of CETAF is hosted by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
How often does CETAF hold its General Meetings?
General Meetings with representatives from each member institution are held twice a year, hosted by various member museums or botanical gardens.