Biodiv Sci ›› 2000, Vol. 08 ›› Issue (1): 36-40.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2000005

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Creative prospect on biodiversity science in the 21 Century

HU Zhi-Ang   

  1. Institute of Botany , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100093
  • Online:2000-02-20 Published:2000-02-20

Abstract: After a brief introduction of Creative Botany invented by famous phyisologist P. S. Tang in 1983 , recent situations and problems in biodiversity reseach were analysed according to his creative thinking. A new hierarchy of genetic diversity was suggested based on variation scales involved in DNA diversity. In corresponding to ESU ( Evolutionaryly Significant Unit) , an OTU (Operational Taxonomic Unit) measured by DNA variation may be used to replace categories of taxa since its subjectivity. Next century , molecular systematics and ecology will probably pay attention to the question about DNA variation , especially the changes in repeat sequences how to control living activities of organisms and uncover relationships between structure and function in molecular levels in the course of evolution and adaptation. The third part of present paper discussed five core programms of the Diversitas , which indicated researches at molecular level are urgently needed and biotechnology will play an important role in conservation and sustainable uses of biological diversity. Finally some related philosophical viewpoints were discussed.