Review of taxonomy situation of marine vegetables in Mediterranean Countries within the Mediterranean Initiative on Taxonomy (MIT)

Abstract

The Project of the Mediterranean Initiative on Taxonomy (MIT) aims at carrying out in the Mediterranean area the objectives of the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI), within the outline of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). As an exemplification the present work reports, through the knowledge on vegetable taxonomy, an evaluation of the state of taxonomy of marine vegetable organisms in the Mediterranean Countries and in particular in Italy. An accurate evaluation on the state of taxonomy of the marine vegetable organisms in the Mediterranean Countries needs data collection from scientists and scientific organisations operating within every single Nation. Available statistical data on the distribution of Phycologists in the Mediterranean area, shows a significant but not always sufficient number of specialists according to the development of the coastal area in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Romania, and Israel. Qualified presences can also be found in Egypt and Tunisia. All Countries need a generational renewal of taxonomy specialists, programmed by Governments and not trusted to the chance of personal choices or to a successful University career. All Countries need to increase their number of taxonomists and to provide them with a higher level of specialisation in order to manage the Mediterranean Initiative on Taxonomy (MIT) and to carry out the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Keywords:

• Mediterranean Initiative on Taxonomy
• marine botany
• phycologists
• Mediterranean countries