Contribution of Systematic to Biology: Systematics is the key to understand fascinating biodiversity around us. Systematics benefits the human beings by providing the fundamental knowledge about the sustainable resource management, environmental protection, and landscape preservation to food security. Systematic biology provides the skill to make policies for successful implementation of preservation and management of our biodiversity, which is critical to have long term quality of life for us as well as to our nature.

Contribution of Systematic to Biology

The contribution of systematic to biology can be studied into two heads:-

A. Theoretical biology and
B. Applied biology.

Theoretical Biology

Systematics has played some important role in the field of theoretical biology, such as:-

1. It is responsible in making conceptual contribution like population thinking.
2. It is responsible in solving the problems of multiplication of species. It illustrates the structure of species and evolutionary processes.
3. Mimicry and other evolutionary areas also have been a clearly understood through taxonomy.
4. It has also played important role in the development of behavioural science.
5. Taxonomy is the key to the study of ecology, as no ecological survey can be undertaken unless all the species of ecological importance are identified.

Applied biology

Systematics provides basic understanding about the components of biodiversity which is necessary for effective decision making about conservation and sustainable use. The most important are:-

1). Agriculture and forestry: – Presently we are faced with the acute problem of saving our crops and trees from the attack of various kinds of pests. So, it is necessary to know the correct names of such pests; before their proper control, and eradication. Taxonomists can give correct identification of pest species, which is vital for its effective control. Similarly,many of the plant diseases are caused by certain vectors. The correct identification of a particular vector is vital for bringing the vector under control by killing its transmitters.

2). Biological control: – Natural enemies of pests can be introduced for biological control of pests. The biological control is much more economical than the chemical control. In 1940s a parasite Archytus incertus was introduced from Uruguay and Argentina into the U.S.A. to control armyworms. The sytematists are presently greatly involved in designing and implementing the biological contol programmes of pests and diseases most effectively.

3). Public health: – Taxonomy plays an important role in public health program also. There are number of diseases, which are spread by many Arthropods. So, our controlled measures should be planned to attack the target species. As for example, All Anopheles maculipennis are not responsible for transmitting malaria. This species consists of several sibling species, of which a few were responsible for transmitting malaria. An expert taxonomist can identify
this particular sibling species. A correct identification ensures a maximum of effective control at minimum cost.

4). Quarantine: – Many new pests and diseases of plants, animals and human beings can spread from one country to another through transportation. Respective Governments have established quarantine laboratories at aerodromes, ports etc. to check such transmissions. Taxonomists play a vital role here in prompt identification of these pests anddiseases.

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By Team Learning Mantras