Seven shortfalls that beset large-scale knowledge of biodiversity
Hortal, J.; De Bello, F.; Diniz-Filho, J.A.F.; Lewinsohn, T.M.; Lobo, J.M.; Ladle, R.J. (2015). Seven shortfalls that beset large-scale knowledge of biodiversity. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 46(1): 523-549. https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-112414-054400
In: Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. Annual Reviews: Palo Alto. ISSN 1543-592X; e-ISSN 1545-2069, more
|  |
| Author keywords |
scientific ignorance, biodiversity data, knowledge shortfalls, bias, uncertainty, macroecology, functional ecology |
| Authors | | Top |
- Hortal, J.
- De Bello, F.
- Diniz-Filho, J.A.F.
|
- Lewinsohn, T.M.
- Lobo, J.M.
- Ladle, R.J.
|
|
| Abstract |
Ecologists and evolutionary biologists are increasingly using big-data approaches to tackle questions at large spatial, taxonomic, and temporal scales. However, despite recent efforts to gather two centuries of biodiversity inventories into comprehensive databases, many crucial research questions remain unanswered. Here, we update the concept of knowledge shortfalls and review the tradeoffs between generality and uncertainty. We present seven key shortfalls of current biodiversity data. Four previously proposed shortfalls pinpoint knowledge gaps for species taxonomy (Linnean), distribution (Wallacean), abundance (Prestonian), and evolutionary patterns (Darwinian). We also redefine the Hutchinsonian shortfall to apply to the abiotic tolerances of species and propose new shortfalls relating to limited knowledge of species traits (Raunkiæran) and biotic interactions (Eltonian). We conclude with a general framework for the combined impacts and consequences of shortfalls of large-scale biodiversity knowledge for evolutionary and ecological research and consider ways of overcoming the seven shortfalls and dealing with the uncertainty they generate. |
|
