Biodiversity

Australian Biological Resources Study

2008 ABRS Eureka Prize for Outstanding Taxonomic Research

The Prize is awarded to an Australian individual, group or organisation for outstanding research in naming, identifying, classifying or describing Australia’s fauna and flora that has provided, or has the potential to provide, innovative or positive outcomes for industry or the environment. This may include both morphological or molecular research to meet a particular environmental or industry need; development of innovative identification keys or bioinformatics products; or novel applications of existing technologies or products that address the challenges of naming and identification of Australia’s plants and animals.

The Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), within the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, is the Australian Government’s lead programme on the naming and identification of Australia’s fauna and flora.

ABRS provides funding for research in the naming, identification and relationships of species and supports publications on Australian species.

Less than one third of the estimated 680 000 species in Australia have been named. Naming and understanding Australia’s species is critical to Australian science, conservation and industry. Species need to be clearly understood before they can be declared endangered and conservation management undertaken.

Good identification underpins Australia’s response to biosecurity, pest and weed management. For example: accurate identification of fish species is worth over $30 million per year to the seafood industry alone by linking scientific identification to consistent trade names and certainty for consumers.

ABRS seeks collaborative partnerships with museums, universities, herbaria, conservation agencies and industry to promote and develop the science of taxonomy and support Australian research.

Prize

$10 000

Judging criteria

Entries must address each of the following criteria:

  1. Innovation
    1. What are the innovative aspects of the research and/or its results?
    2. What new insights into Australian flora and fauna and/or the Australian environment have been gained as a result of this research?
  2. Relevance
    1. Does the research address a gap in Australia’s taxonomic capacity?
    2. Does the research address an industry or conservation need?
    3. To what extent does the research respond to Australia’s unique biological circumstances?
  3. Impact
    1. In what way is the research outstanding (e.g. developed or extended techniques or methods not normally used; resulted in a paradigm shift, etc)?
    2. How has the research contributed to a practical improvement in capabilities for identification/conservation/biosecurity?
    3. In what way has the research met a particular environmental or industry need?

For more information and how to enter

http://www.amonline.net.au/eureka/index.cfm?objectid=F91B0E9E-9A2E-A497-A11DE5D53BA488CB

Information brochure

Closing date

5pm AEST, Friday 2 May 2008