Mission statement THERE IS A NEED

Publishing taxonomic literature is part of the mission of most NHIs.The proposal is:

- free and open access journal- European anchorage- web-based- peer-reviewed- on descriptive biological systematics, including :

• descriptions of new taxa,• taxonomic revisions, • continental and global checklists, • review and opinion papers related to taxonomic and systematic research.

AND PROVIDING HIGH STANDARDS FOR TAXONOMIC PUBLISHING

EDIT 2GM - Carvoeiro dec 2009 European Publishing Network

Interests for NHIs1. Increase visibility of NHIs

in taxonomic publishing

2. If NHIs pool resources:– Higher critical mass of tools– Increased authority– Higher influence – Higher efficiency (than in

small, hidden journals)... of the dissemination of

taxonomic knowledge

3. Enhance collaborations, sharing expertise, sharing resources

4. By producing an excellent journal: show importance of taxonomy => taxonomy is worth funding

5. Our own data are in our own hands => not all scholarly publications should be in the hands of commercial companies: decision making; spending public money; copyright issues.

EDIT 2GM - Carvoeiro dec 2009European Publishing Network

Suggestions to the B o D:time line

• At this EDIT meeting– Take tentative position (nothing, supportive, participating) at this EDIT

meeting; – Participating, if possible provide type of contribution before leaving this

meeting– Mandate a task force (4-5 people) to draft business plan (BP) and

memorandum of understanding (MoU) by March 1st 2010• Take firm position by April 1st 2010, comment on BP &

MoU• Task Force produces second draft of BP & MoU by May

2010• Participating NHI meet June 2010: Decision on final BP

(Organisation, budget, ...), agreement• Implementation of journal early 2011

EDIT 2GM - Carvoeiro dec 2009 - martens@naturalsciences.be