DiSSCo
DESCRIPTIONDiSSCo is a new pan-European Research Infrastructure initiative of 21 European countries with a vision to position European natural science collections at the centre of data-driven scientific excellence and innovation in environmental research, climate change, food security, one health and the bio-economy.
The mission of DiSSCo is to mobilise, unify and deliver bio- and geo-diversity information at the scale, form and precision required by scientific communities; transforming a fragmented landscape into a coherent and responsive research infrastructure.
DiSSCo is built on top of the strong, stable and cohesive European network of natural science collections-based institutions that is CETAF, the European network of natural sciences collections-based institutions which have been in operation for 20 years and represents over 5000 researchers. CETAF is the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities: a European network of Natural Science Museums, Natural History Museums, Botanical Gardens and Biodiversity Research Centres with their associated biological collections and research expertise.
CETAF aims to promote training, research and understanding in systematic biology and palaeobiology, and facilitate access to information (collections) and the expertise of its member institutions across Europe. The CETAF network comprises 33 members representing 59 of the largest taxonomic institutions from 21 European countries. Its member institutions include Natural History Museums, Natural Sciences Museums, Botanical Gardens and other research institutions, with their associated collections and research expertise. Our collections represent more than 80% of the world’s described species and contain specimens of animals, plants, fungi, rocks or genetic resources that are used for scientific research and exhibitions.