artslistor

artslistor, usually translated as "species lists" in English, are structured inventories that enumerate all known species within a defined area or taxonomic group. They function as baseline references for biodiversity knowledge and are used in research, conservation, and policy.

A typical artslista includes each entry's scientific name (with authority), common name, taxonomic rank, and placement within higher taxa; geographic distribution; native or introduced status; occurrence notes; and source references. Data are drawn from museum records, field surveys, literature, and citizen science, and may be linked to broader taxonomic databases for consistency.

Artslistor can be regional, national, or global, and may focus on all organisms or a single taxon such as birds or amphibians. They support biodiversity inventories, environmental assessments, monitoring of changes in distribution or status, and red-listing efforts, as well as the creation of field guides and data exchange through standardized formats.

Maintaining lists requires taxonomic standards and data governance. Nomenclature follows international codes (the ICZN for animals and the ICN for plants), and many lists link to broader databases and use standards such as Darwin Core to enable data sharing. Challenges include taxonomic revisions, regional uncertainty, data gaps, misidentifications, and inconsistencies in native, introduced, and extinct status assessments.

Prominent global examples include the Catalogue of Life and the IOC World Bird List. Regional and taxon-specific lists are maintained by universities, museums, and government agencies, often with annual updates.