Contents
This course provides an introduction to the principles and practice of modern plant taxonomy and nomenclature, with emphasis on their application in contemporary biodiversity research. It covers fundamental concepts in plant taxonomy, species identification and delimitation, taxonomic evidence, scientific names, synonymy, typification, authorship, and the principles of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN).
Participants will also be introduced to major digital taxonomic resources and learn how to verify plant names, interpret taxonomic information, and navigate accepted names and synonyms. Practical exercises will use real taxonomic examples, herbarium material or specimen images, and online biodiversity resources. The course will demonstrate how reliable taxonomy and nomenclature support ecological, evolutionary, conservation, and biodiversity-data research.
Lecturer
Dr Abubakar Bello
Abubakar is a plant systematist and biodiversity scientist, a lecturer and researcher affiliated with Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Katsina, Nigeria and Leipzig University. His research focuses on African plant diversity, herbarium digitisation, biodiversity data mobilisation, and plant systematics. He leads initiatives on developing specimen-based plant checklists and integrating biodiversity data for research and conservation.