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Classifications
Since a large percentage of our images are nature or wildlife based classification is very much an issue. The great problem is trying to stick to a scientific format when most of our users are not scientists. This has therefore created an ad hoc approach which is enough to horrify any purist.
It should also be mentioned that while every effort is made to ensure correct identification and classification of images, this is firstly not always possible, or errors will be made. We therefore cannot accept any liability for incorrect indentifications. Some images will also be further identified at a later date, or as is common classifications will change with new science.
Sometimes there is not even a clear classification so judgement is used...and a degree of opinion. Particularly where there is still much scientific debate on the issue and a consensus has not be currently reached. Examples of this would be with birds such as Raptors. The division of Falconiforms seems sensible so that has been followed. Ciconiformes is still widely debated so we have simply used best judgement.
So the issues are real and complex just in indentification and classification. There is also the problem of how to actually categorise things. Which is an even bigger problem in real terms. With many thousands of images, using popular names is on the whole not practical. And the reality is most people are not going to think Colombidae when they are looking for pigeons. So therefore as mentioned an ad hoc approach is used. Where possible common descriptions have been used. Otherwise wildlife is generally categorised into either family or genus levels.
There is also no consistancy in categorisation, as mentioned it very much depends on the amount of images available. If we only have one genus then that is what will usually be represented, if more then we will move to a family representation. Of course as our online collection changes, for example new a new genus is added, then perhaps the family will be added and so on.
With plants the situation is more confused just due to the sheer variety for example. However we do try and follow the APG II system where possible. With birds alone it is bad enough, let alone getting into the more bizzare worlds of botany and entomology and so on. We do hope that the site is not too hard to navigate about and find what you are looking for. Of course we welcome all comments and suggestions on how you think we can make things better or easier to use.
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