Three-quarters of insect species are insufficiently represented by protected areas

One Earth, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(2), P. 139 - 146

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

Language: Английский

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Plant diversity darkspots for global collection priorities

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 244(2), P. 719 - 733

Published: Aug. 16, 2024

Summary More than 15% of all vascular plant species may remain scientifically undescribed, and many the > 350 000 described have no or few geographic records documenting their distribution. Identifying understanding taxonomic knowledge shortfalls is key to prioritising future collection conservation efforts. Using extensive data for 343 523 time‐to‐event analyses, we conducted multiple tests related shortfalls, identified 33 global diversity darkspots (those ‘botanical countries’ predicted contain most undescribed not yet recorded species). We defined priority regions according several socio‐economic environmental scenarios. Most are found within biodiversity hotspots, with exception New Guinea. identify Colombia, Myanmar, Guinea, Peru, Philippines Turkey as priorities under conditions considered. Our study provides a flexible framework help accelerate documentation implementation actions. As digitisation world's herbaria progresses, soon be identifiable at finer scales.

Language: Английский

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From Sand to Bell: Novel Predation of Scyphozoans by the Giant Caribbean Sea Anemone Condylactis gigantea (Weinland, 1860) from the Western Atlantic

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 111 - 111

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

Predation is a fundamental ecological process that shapes marine ecosystem dynamics. This study reveals novel predator–prey interaction between the giant Caribbean sea anemone Condylactis gigantea and two jellyfish species Cassiopea sp. Aurelia sp., challenging traditional understanding of feeding habits. Observations from citizen science platforms field recordings documented C. successfully capturing consuming these gelatinous organisms. The research highlights trophic plasticity gigantea, demonstrating its ability to prey on larger organisms beyond traditionally known diet. predation event represents possible benthic–pelagic coupling mechanism underscores value in rare interactions.

Language: Английский

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Identifying the identifiers: How iNaturalist facilitates collaborative, research-relevant data generation and why it matters for biodiversity science

BioScience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 73(7), P. 533 - 541

Published: July 1, 2023

Abstract The iNaturalist platform generates millions of research-grade biodiversity records via a system in which users collectively reach consensus on taxonomic identification. In the present article, we examine how identifiers and their efforts, an understudied component platform, support data generation. Identification is keeping pace with rapid growth observations, assisted by small subset highly active who tend to be taxonomically specialized. Identifier experience primary determinant whether research grade, time it takes do so. Time grade has fallen rapidly growing identification effort use computer vision, identifications are generally stable. Most observations vetted experienced identifiers, although not free biases. We close providing suggestions for enhanced quality continuing steps enhance equitable credit trust across ecosystem observers, users.

Language: Английский

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A globally synthesised and flagged bee occurrence dataset and cleaning workflow

Scientific Data, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Nov. 2, 2023

Species occurrence data are foundational for research, conservation, and science communication, but the limited availability accessibility of reliable represents a major obstacle, particularly insects, which face mounting pressures. We present BeeBDC, new R package, global bee dataset to address this issue. combined >18.3 million records from multiple public repositories (GBIF, SCAN, iDigBio, USGS, ALA) smaller datasets, then standardised, flagged, deduplicated, cleaned using reproducible BeeBDC R-workflow. Specifically, we harmonised species names (following established taxonomy), country names, collection dates and, added record-level flags series potential quality issues. These provided in two formats, "cleaned" "flagged-but-uncleaned". The package with online documentation provides end users ability modify filtering parameters their research questions. By publishing workflows globally can increase reliability downstream analyses. This workflow be implemented other taxa support conservation.

Language: Английский

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Understanding and addressing shortfalls in European wild bee data

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 290, P. 110455 - 110455

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

Understanding and reversing biodiversity decline in the Anthropocene requires robust data on species taxonomic identity, distribution, ecology, population trends. Data deficits hinder assessments conservation, despite major advances over past few decades, our understanding of bee diversity, distribution Europe is still hampered by such shortfalls. Using a unique digital dataset wild occurrence we identify seven critical shortfalls which are an absence knowledge geographic distributions, (functional) trait variation, dynamics, evolutionary relationships, biotic interactions, tolerance to abiotic conditions. We describe "BeeFall," interactive online Shiny app tool, visualizes these highlights missing data. also define new impediment, Keartonian Impediment, addresses high-quality situ photos illustrations with diagnostic characteristics directly affects outlined Shortfalls highly correlated at both provincial national scales, identifying key areas where gaps can be filled. This work provides important first step towards long-term goal mobilize aggregate European into multi-scale, easy access, shareable, updatable database inform research, practice, policy actions for conservation bees.

Language: Английский

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Expert identification blitz: A rapid high value approach for assessing and improving iNaturalist identification accuracy and data precision and confidence

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 16, 2025

Societal Impact Statement Citizen science data are increasingly used in research and conservation, so assessing improving accuracy is important. We recruited 50 experts to review a dataset of Western Australian plant records from iNaturalist. Across three weeks, almost 11,000 received at least one identification. Of the 7,000 initially identified species level, 92% were correctly identified. Building these banks expert‐curated images crucial for biodiverse regions with many endemic threatened species, without comprehensive Flora, as reliably‐identified occurrence that supplement herbarium vouchers help define distributions better inform conservation assessments. Summary now make up significant portion global biodiversity records. The utility strongly depends on identification accuracy, which varies across taxa, underscoring importance expert engagement. large iNaturalist vascular Southwest Australia case study, organising three‐week event assess enhance precision confidence. Before event, Research Grade comprised 48% our species‐level had an rate 97%, while 52% marked needs ID, 89% confirmed have been accurately led net increase 250% dataset, 183 new recorded focal regions. This collaboration between citizen scientists provides way quantify error rates downstream statistical analysis improves uncertain or incorrect identifications. It contributes growing collection confidently photographs flora, serve valuable resources learning about their local flora collecting further data. process vital component virtuous cycle, continually world's hotspots. Our approach globally applicable any requiring only selection region manageable recruitment relevant regional experts.

Language: Английский

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Using social media records to inform conservation planning

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(1)

Published: Aug. 8, 2023

Citizen science plays a crucial role in helping monitor biodiversity and inform conservation. With the widespread use of smartphones, many people share information on social media, but this is still not widely used Focusing Bangladesh, tropical megadiverse mega-populated country, we examined importance media records conservation decision-making. We collated species distribution for birds butterflies from Facebook Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), grouped them into GBIF-only combined GBIF data, investigated differences identifying critical areas. Adding data to improved accuracy systematic planning assessments by additional important areas northwest, southeast, central parts extending priority 4,000-10,000 km

Language: Английский

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Urban greenspaces benefit both human utility and biodiversity

Urban forestry & urban greening, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 128791 - 128791

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Citizen Science for Environmental Monitoring in the Eastern Region of Bolivia

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(6), P. 2333 - 2333

Published: March 12, 2024

The eastern region of Bolivia is high conservation interest due to the presence Chiquitano Dry Forest, Chaco, Pantanal and Cerrado ecoregions. However, this under pressure from various anthropogenic threats, which requires continuous monitoring. An alternative for monitoring use mobile applications designed concept citizen science, in local stakeholders are part process obtaining information finding solutions environmental problems their territories. main objective study was evaluate obtained during with a science approach Bolivia. We developed public electronic form ArcGIS Survey123 application capture spatial data nine thematic variables. Between 2021 2023, we conducted 16 training courses 12 population centers, attendees 98 communities 6 municipalities region. A total 360 volunteers different sectors participated training, including technicians private institutions, park rangers, community representatives citizens. 379 records, 70.4% were recorded near rest within protected areas. results reclassified grouped into three clusters: human activities, water resources biodiversity. In activities cluster, categories highest number records wildfires deforestation. most cattle waterholes streams, but one notable reduction wetlands sector Bolivian Pantanal. biodiversity reports mammals, among footprints jaguar (Panthera onca). This tool made it possible generate high-quality sites almost real time, could help strengthen interactions relationship users dialogue governance processes.

Language: Английский

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