Where financial resources are limited, creative solutions can be effective in raising additional funding necessary for environmental initiatives. One such approach is selling the right to name a recently discovered species. In fact, in recent years, conservation NGOs around the world have identified many new species and raised funds for their efforts through the sale or auction of naming rights. This approach could also provide financing opportunities for States, particularly those States that are rich in biological diversity.
This sponsorship of new species can have several benefits. It raises funds to support research on biological diversity (including taxonomic research). The funds also can be used for targeted conservation projects that enhance the survival of the newly discovered species, as well as other species. The process can also support regional management of and interest in local ecosystems.
According to internationally accepted scientific protocols, such as the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the person (usually a scientist) that first identifies a new species has the right to determine its formal scientific name (in Latin). Historically, scientists often have named species based on their physical characteristics, their geographic origin, and other objective criteria. In many instances, though, scientists have used their prerogative to name the species after themselves, after family members, after patrons or benefactors of the expedition, or for other subjective criteria. In essence, this new approach seeks benefactors after the fact, that is after the expedition and after the discovery.
When scientists working for specific conservation NGOs discover a new species, the NGO can seek “sponsorship” of the new species by selling or auctioning the naming rights. Of course, there are limits on what name can be given to the new species. In order to maintain taxonomic consistency, the sellers ensure that suggested names are not offensive and that they generally follow international rules of nomenclature.
The idea behind these sales was first developed by Gerhard Haszprunar, a professor of systematic zoology at the University of Munich and director of the State Zoological Collection in Munich. It has since expanded worldwide through efforts by various non-profit and conservation organizations, including the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Audubon Society, and Canada’s Nature Discovery Fund. A German non-profit, BIOPAT (Patrons for Biodiversity) has raised more than $450,000 for research and conservation through sponsorship of over 100 species.
Individuals, companies, and other institutions may purchase the right to name species. This provides a new way for corporations to promote themselves in media and advertising campaigns. Specific uses of funds raised through such sales and auctions include supporting surveys of bat populations in Sri Lanka, implementing taxonomic training programmes in Myanmar, and undertaking an inventory of Bolivian orchids in the Tariquia conservation area.
For more information, see http://www.biopat.de/ or contact Mr. Claus Batke, President of BIOPAT claus.baetka@gtz.de