Determining the quality of taxonomic data

BRIDGES is a recurring feature of J-NABS intended to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and information between basic and applied researchers in benthic science. Articles in this series will focus on topical research areas and linkages between basic and applied aspects of research, monitoring, policy, and education. Readers with ideas for topics should contact Associate Editors, Nick Aumen and Marty Gurtz. In this article, Stribling et al. discuss data quality issues to be considered when conducting taxonomic analyses for biological assessments. They differentiate between 2 broad areas of taxonomy—research and production taxonomic investigations—and consider how approaches to organism identification can vary between these 2 areas. The authors stress the importance of evaluating and communicating data quality, and that knowledge of quality assurance/quality control elements is essential before drawing conclusions from biological assessment results. Nick Aumen, nick_aumen@nps.gov Marty Gurtz, megurtz@usgs.gov co-editors

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