Seeking a few, good amateur taxonomists

Science : Some in the field of taxonomy are hoping to make use of amateur scientists much as the popular GalaxyZoo has done with citizen astronomers. As funds and professional practitioners dwindle, and the number of extinctions rises, scientists are pushing to identify and catalog organisms. Proponents of the plan to use amateurs say that although taxonomy has grown to be quite specialized, technological advances are helping lower the bar for participating. There are already several science programs that take advantage of amateurs’ input: among them Project Feeder Watch , which asks the public to identify backyard birds, and Encyclopedia of Life , which seeks photos, videos, and information on all forms of life. Others fear that research quality could suffer if amateurs flock to “attractive” creatures such as birds and beetles and ignore the less attractive ones, such as jellyfish and nematodes.