This is the fifth report of the 2007-08 session from the Science and Technology Committee on the subject of systematics and taxonomy (HLP 162, ISBN 9780104013496). This report follows up on two previous reports covering the same topic (HLP 22, session 1991-92, ISBN 9780104806920) and (HLP 118, session 2001-02, What on Earth?, ISBN 9780104420720). This third report sets out to answer two questions: (i) whether systematic biology in the UK is in a fit state to generate the essential taxonomic information required to understand ecosystem services; (ii) whether the UK has the skills available to understand and predict the impact of climate change on biodiversity. The Committee has concluded, that the state of systematics and taxonomy in the UK, both in terms of the professional taxonomic community and volunteers, is unsatisfactory, notably in the area of mycology, and that more needs to be done to ensure the future health of the discipline. Further, the Committee states, that there should be more effective and regular dialogue between the users and producers of taxonomy on the priorities for developing UK systematic biology. Recruitment programmes should also be initiated and efforts should be made to interest children in the issues of the environment and biodiversity through the school curriculum. The Committee also believes that fragmentation within Government for responsibility for systematic biology could be halted by designating one lead department, in this case, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.