Name a species

Dr George C. McGavin, honorary research associate at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, poimted out last week in the UK newspaper the Guardian (article here), that when it comes to conservation, common names count. Latin classification can be cold and clinical – it’s much easier to care about a species that has a romantic and memorable name.

Following this idea, and to mark the International Year for Biodiversity, the Guardian, Natural England and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History have teamed up to ask the public to name some of the less well-known and lesser-loved animals and plants that inhabit UK shores. A list can be found here.

It is an original idea to raise awareness about biodiversity loss and the fact that not only cuddly polar bears are endangered by human-induced climate change. Any thoughts welcomed!

Muriel Bonjean