Author: Desalegn Chala, Researcher, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo

Taxonomy is the science of describing, classifying and naming organisms. It organises the vast diversity of life on Earth. Species are grouped based on shared characteristics, providing a system that allows scientists to understand and communicate about the natural world. Naming species is no simple task: a scientist doesn’t just assign a name and call it a day. Taxonomy is a carefully structured process governed by strict international rules such as the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants. Based on these rules, each species receives a unique scientific name, often derived from Latin or Greek. One of…