新一代植物志：iFlora

进入21世纪，随着分子生物学及计算机信息等技术的快速发展，人们认知自然的手段和方式发生了根本性的变化。在现有电子植物志（eFlora）的基础上，融入新一代测序技术、DNA条形码数据、地理信息数据和计算机信息技术等新元素的新一代植物志（iFlora）应运而生。iFlora是通过系列关键技术的集成和攻关，构建便捷、准确识别植物和掌握相关数字化信息的新一代植物志（或智能装备），它将极大地促进植物分类学和系统发育、演化生物学、生态学、生物地理学和保护生物学等相关学科的发展，有效地服务于生物多样性保护和生物资源可持续利用、国家生态安全和社会公共教育等，并进一步提升公众对生物多样性的认识。iFlora的实施，将为培育和拓展物种识别圈（taxasphere）和生物文化圈（bioliterate world）做出应有的贡献，并可能成为引领国际植物学发展新的生长点。

The Next-Generation Flora:iFlora

 The 21st century has witnessed a rapid development in technologies of molecular biology and computer informatics. Fundamental changes have taken place in means and methods in which humans take cognition of the world. Based on the currently available eFlora and combining this with elements of next generation sequencing techniques, DNA sequence data, geographical information system data and computer information technology, the next-generation Flora (iFlora) is bursting. Through a series of key technological innovations and integrations, the main objective of iFlora is to construct the next-generation Flora, which will fulfill the function of accurately and rapidly identifying species and acquiring species related digital information. iFlora will greatly advance the development of plant taxonomy, phylogenetics, evolutionary biology, ecology, biogeography, conservation biology and other related disciplines. Furthermore, iFlora will be a valuable tool for biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization of biological resources, ecological security, public education and services, and will profoundly promote public understanding of biodiversity. The application of iFlora will tremendously nurture and boost the taxasphere and bioliterate world, and will be a new focal point that may reshape modern botany at the global and regional levels.