Seven Shortfalls that Beset Large-Scale Knowledge of Biodiversity

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 (Raunkiaeran) and biotic interactions (Eltonian). We

Aquatic oligochaeta (Annelida: Clitellata) in extractive reserve Lake Cuniã, Western Brazilian Amazon

“…Most of the global biodiversity data still comes from temperate regions and refer mainly to important and economically valuable taxa. These shortfalls in biodiversity information need to be recognized and quantified for more accurate conservation assessments and actions (Hortal et al 2015).…”

“…In this context, Brazilian invertebrate diversity remains largely unknown, mainly because some groups receive more attention than others (Hortal et al 2015) and the difficulties in taxonomic identification discourage the development of new studies. This results in fragmented and scarce information on the invertebrate fauna (Magurran, 2011), especially in continental aquatic ecosystems, where the information about this group is even more incomplete (Agostinho et al 2005).…”

Abyssal Solenogastres (Mollusca, Aplacophora) from the Northwest Pacific: Scratching the Surface of Deep-Sea Diversity Using Integrative Taxonomy

“…These discoveries emphasize the richness of yet unknown diversity in the deep sea and the need for basic α-taxonomic work to resolve what has been identified as the key shortfall of current biodiversity data. The lack of species taxonomy ("Linnean Shortfall" of biodiversity knowledge; Hortal et al, 2015), describing biodiversity at species level, affects and limits all approaches to understand distribution, abundance and evolutionary processes of deep-sea fauna.…”

On the Iberian endemism Eurylophella iberica Keffermuller and Da Terra 1978 (Ephemeroptera, Ephemerellidae): current and future potential distributions, and assessment of the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network on its protection

“…This problem, denominated as the Wallacean shortfall (Lomolino 2004), is common for many species, especially for insects, whose geographical distributions are poorly understood and present many gaps. This lack of information limits distributional data being used in ecological, evolutionary and conservation research (Hortal et al 2015). Thus, as information on the distribution of E. iberica is currently spread in publications, reports and unpublished databases, our first objective is to update the known distribution of this endemic species, including unpublished data from our own sampling.…”