Development of a molecular plant taxonomy textbook

Taxonomy is always related to the study of biodiversity. According to Adisoemarto (2008), the role of taxonomy is to reveal biodiversity. Therefore, this scientific discipline promotes the preservation of biodiversity. Along with the increase in the population of Indonesia, many human activities threaten biodiversity. Every year, millions of hectares of tropical rainforest are threatened with extinction, removing their ecosystem functions and converting them into housing, plantations, and mining. Those activities result in a large decrease in biodiversity, and even the extinction of many genes. This is why information on biodiversity at the species and genetic level is needed to conserve and manage biodiversity. In light of this, taxonomy must promote protecting and utilizing the existing biodiversity optimally, so that it can be useful for present generations and the future (Saptasari, 2012). This objective can most effectively be achieved through a college education, especially in study programs of biology education and biology by providing students with knowledge of plant taxonomy and instilling a sense of the importance of preserving biodiversity as well as their own responsibility for promoting it. A meaningful taxonomic education is very important to achieve this goal. As suggested by Adisoemarto (2008), it can be done by following some guidelines, one of which is following the development of the knowledge needed for taxonomic performance adjustments and then empowering it.

Learning about plant taxonomy is facilitated by the availability of a high-quality textbook. In fact, according to the National Education Ministry's regulation of Indonesia No. 11/2005 Article 2, a textbook is necessary to achieve national educational objectives and is mandatory. A textbook is important in teaching and learning activities because it can serve to improve the competence of students. In addition, a textbook facilitates independent learning. Therefore, procuring a textbook accompanied by guidance in how to use it is very important. However, plant taxonomy textbooks that discuss both morphological and molecular subjects are still rare. Thus, the knowledge of plant taxonomy presented to students through their textbooks is usually incomplete (Wisanti et al., 2012). Therefore, to describe plant taxonomy as fundamental means that it is part of the foundation of scientific disciplines that study plants. Plant taxonomy should be able to follow the current developments of science and technology, which are primarily associated with the development of molecular biology. Rifai (2003) states that, in line with current developments and needs, taxonomy of selected biodiversity should emphasize an understanding based on molecular biology approaches, thus preparing students to enter the era of biotechnology. As technology advances in plant analysis of, it tends to use a genetic approach more frequently rather than a changing descriptive analysis. Educators in the fields of biology and biology education should provide knowledge of molecular biology to students through the study of relevant topics. One of these is plant taxonomy. Graham (2000) states that taxonomists use molecular systematics to support morphological methods that are used to identify species in more rapid and precise way. This is a challenge that must be faced by educators in the biology and biology education fields. Educators must be prepared to explain the molecular processes that occur in a cell. Such knowledge can be used to improve human welfare in the future. If an understanding of molecular biology becomes widespread, then efforts at maintaining biodiversity and environmental preservation will achieve much greater success.

According to Rifai (2012), molecular biology should become a full course for biology students. Molecular studies should be obligatory for the students of biology education. Students are not complacent to continue studying the biological sciences that have begun to have developmental lags. In addition, Rifai (2008) said that textbooks should be based on the progress of science. Advances in science courses can be obtained through the study of current research results, especially studies of molecular biology in the field of plant taxonomy. There have been many uses of molecular research in plant taxonomy. However, the progress of molecular research in the field of plant taxonomy is still fragmented into scientific articles. Therefore, it is necessary to develop plant taxonomy textbooks based on molecular research. Molecular-based research uses molecular data and information to complete plant taxonomy material that still has weaknesses because it is still dominated by conventional morphological techniques. The plant taxonomy textbook based on molecular research can be used in the taxonomy learning process in accordance with the modern techniques.

Based on the description above, the problem at hand is how to develop a suitable (valid, practical, and effective) molecular plant taxonomy textbook based on current research. The objectives of this study include:

1) developing a suitable (valid, practical, and effective) plant taxonomy textbook based on molecular research, and

2) developing similarly suitable supporting devices. The supporting materials include practical instructions and an evaluation sheet.