Seven Shortfalls that Beset Large-Scale Knowledge of Biodiversity

Hortal, Joaquín; de Bello, Francesco; Diniz-Filho, José Alexandre F.; Lewinsohn, Thomas M.; Lobo, Jorge M.; Ladle, Richard J.

doi:10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-112414-054400

Cited by 1,743Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesSpecies Distribution and Climate ChangeResearch Data Management Practices

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Seven Shortfalls that Beset Large-Scale Knowledge of Biodiversity

Hortal, Joaquín, de Bello, Francesco, Diniz-Filho, José Alexandre F., Lewinsohn, Thomas M., Lobo, Jorge M., Ladle, Richard J.·2015·Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics

DOI 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-112414-054400

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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.

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Authors: Hortal, J., de Bello, F., Diniz-Filho, J. A. F., Lewinsohn, T. M., Lobo, J. M., & Ladle, R. J.
Affiliations: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
Czech Academy of Sciences (CZ)
Department of Ecology, Instituto de Ciências Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Brazil;
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR)
University of Oxford (GB)
Corresponding author: Ladle, Richard J.
ORCID: Hortal, Joaquín
de Bello, Francesco
Lewinsohn, Thomas M.
Lobo, Jorge M.
Ladle, Richard J.
Venue: Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
Publisher: Annual Reviews
Published: 2015-12-04
Volume: 46
Issue: 1
Pages: 523-549
ISSN: 1543-592X (ISSN-L)
1545-2069
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-112414-054400
OpenAlex: W2147343628
Cited by: 1,743
References: 10
Citations by year: 2026: 258 · 2025: 270 · 2024: 274 · 2023: 257 · 2022: 159 · 2021: 176 · 2020: 128 · 2019: 88 · 2018: 65 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 1
FWCI: 3.27
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics (publishedVersion)
ASEP (submittedVersion, public-domain)
DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecological Modeling › Species Distribution and Climate Change
Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Research Data Management Practices
Keywords: biodiversity data, big data, species taxonomy, species distribution, species abundance, evolutionary patterns, abiotic stress tolerance, species traits, species interactions, uncertainty, Linnean shortfall, Wallacean shortfall, data gaps

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Seven Shortfalls that Beset Large-Scale Knowledge of Biodiversity

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