Artenlisten

Artenlisten are curated inventories that document the species known to occur in a defined area, habitat, or taxonomic group. They serve as reference frameworks for biodiversity knowledge and are used to record presence, absence, and distribution, providing a baseline for monitoring changes over time. Artenlisten can be regional or national and may focus on broad groups such as all flora and fauna, or on specific taxa like birds or vascular plants, as well as on particular habitats or landscapes.

Content and structure typically include scientific names with taxonomic authority, common names, native or introduced status, distribution notes, and sometimes information on habitat, abundance, or occurrence data. Many lists also record synonyms and taxonomic history to reflect changes in nomenclature. The geographic scope, date of compilation, and data sources are usually indicated to convey the list’s limits and credibility.

Creation and maintenance rely on multiple data sources, including field surveys, museum collections, published literature, and increasingly citizen science contributions. To ensure consistency and interoperability, Artenlisten are often aligned with taxonomic authorities and data standards such as the Darwin Core. Lists are periodically updated to incorporate new findings, taxonomic revisions, and revised distribution records. They are commonly maintained by museums, herbaria, universities, nature conservation organizations, or government agencies, with varying degrees of openness.

Uses and applications of Artenlisten include biodiversity assessment and monitoring, conservation planning and prioritization, environmental impact assessments, land-use management, and ecological research. They also support policy development and public education by clarifying species presence and distribution. Challenges include taxonomic changes, incomplete sampling, biases in data availability, and the need for regular validation and updates.