1
|
Wang R, Kass JM, Chaudhary C, Economo EP, Guénard B. Global biogeographic regions for ants have complex relationships with those for plants and tetrapods. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5641. [PMID: 38969636 PMCID: PMC11226674 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49918-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
On a global scale, biodiversity is geographically structured into regions of biotic similarity. Delineating these regions has been mostly targeted for tetrapods and plants, but those for hyperdiverse groups such as insects are relatively unknown. Insects may have higher biogeographic congruence with plants than tetrapods due to their tight ecological and evolutionary links with the former, but it remains untested. Here, we develop a global regionalization for a major and widespread insect group, ants, based on the most comprehensive distributional and phylogenetic information to date, and examine its similarity to regionalizations for tetrapods and vascular plants. Our ant regionalization supports the newly proposed Madagascan and Sino-Japanese realms based on tetrapod delineations, and it recovers clusters observed in plants but not in tetrapods, such as the Holarctic and Indo-Pacific realms. Quantitative comparison suggests strong associations among different groups-plants showed a higher congruence with ants than with tetrapods. These results underscore the wide congruence of diverse distribution patterns across the tree of life and the similarities shared by insects and plants that are not captured by tetrapod groups. Our analysis highlights the importance of developing global biogeographic maps for insect groups to obtain a more comprehensive geographic picture of life on Earth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Runxi Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Jamie M Kass
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, Japan
- Macroecology Laboratory, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Chhaya Chaudhary
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Evan P Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Benoit Guénard
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wyniger D, Schuh RT, Henry TJ. Revision of the North American Hallodapini (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae). AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES 2023. [DOI: 10.1206/3994.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Randall T. Schuh
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York
| | - Thomas J. Henry
- Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jiang K, Dong X, Zhang J, Ye Z, Xue H, Zhu G, Bu W. Diversity and conservation of endemic true bugs for four family groups in China. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kun Jiang
- College of Life Sciences Nankai University Tianjin China
| | - Xue Dong
- College of Life Sciences Nankai University Tianjin China
| | - Jiaqing Zhang
- College of Life Sciences Nankai University Tianjin China
| | - Zhen Ye
- College of Life Sciences Nankai University Tianjin China
| | - Huaijun Xue
- College of Life Sciences Nankai University Tianjin China
| | - Gengping Zhu
- Department of Entomology Washington State University Pullman Washington USA
| | - Wenjun Bu
- College of Life Sciences Nankai University Tianjin China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ferrari A, Janisch Alvares D, Buratto PM, Ribeiro Barão K. Distribution patterns of Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the Americas: an analysis based on networks and endemicity. Cladistics 2022; 38:563-581. [PMID: 35148437 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Triatominae, commonly known as kissing bugs, are a group of approximately 150 species of hematophagous reduviids, some of which are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of the Chagas disease. Distributional patterns of triatomines have been studied based on macroecological and historical biogeographic approaches, but the definition of distributional patterns and areas of endemism are yet to be defined based on objective criteria. We used two methods to identify biogeographic units in the Triatominae: the endemicity analysis based on an optimality criterion (NDM/VNDM software) and a network approach aimed to simplify and highlight the underlying structure in species distributions (Infomap Bioregions). Information on species distributions was obtained from a data paper, comprising 21 815 records for 135 triatomine species occurring in the Americas. The resulting areas of each method were clustered using a meta consensus criterion based on dissimilarities and interpreted as recurrent areas. The NDM areas show a nested structure, presenting greater restrictions to the inclusion of species in a given area, requiring broad sympatry. In contrast, bioregions emphasize spatial patterns with better-delimited areas and species occurrences do not need to be highly congruent. When areas were clustered based on their species composition two clear patterns arose from both methods: (i) areas within the southern Amazon and southeast South America, especially in the Chacoan subregion, formed a cluster, and (ii) areas north of the Amazon, Pacific, Mesoamerica, Mexican transition zone and Nearctic formed another cluster. Moreover, within each of these two clusters, there was a latitudinal gradient of the areas in the Americas showing spatial similarity between the areas found in both methods. Results of both methods show well-bound areas separating the triatomine fauna in the Brazilian subregions, resulting in the recognition of areas corresponding to the biomes Chaco, Pampa, Cerrado, and Caatinga, and, to a lesser extent, the Atlantic Forest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Augusto Ferrari
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal - PPG-BAN, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande Sul, UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil.,Laboratório de Entomologia, Sistemática e Biogeografia - LESB, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, km 8, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, 96203-900, Brazil
| | - Diego Janisch Alvares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal - PPG-BAN, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande Sul, UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil.,Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Aquáticos do Rio Grande do Sul (GEMARS), Rua Bento Gonçalves, 165/1002, Torres, 95560-000, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Maria Buratto
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Sistemática e Biogeografia - LESB, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália, km 8, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, 96203-900, Brazil
| | - Kim Ribeiro Barão
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Diversidade de Artrópodes, Unidade Educacional Penedo, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Av. Beira Rio, s/n, Penedo, 57200-00, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Noroozi J, Khalvati S, Nafisi H, Kaveh A, Nazari B, Zare G, Minaei M, Vitek E, Schneeweiss GM. Endemics determine bioregionalization in the alpine zone of the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot (South-West Asia). ALPINE BOTANY 2021; 131:177-186. [PMID: 34721248 PMCID: PMC8549998 DOI: 10.1007/s00035-021-00266-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Alpine habitats are characterized by a high rate of range restricted species compared to those of lower elevations. This is also the case for the Irano-Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot in South-West Asia, which is a mountainous area harbouring a high amount of endemic species. Using two quantitative approaches, Endemicity Analysis and Network-Clustering, we want to identify areas of concordant species distribution patterns in the alpine zone of this region as well as to test the hypothesis that, given the high proportion of endemics among alpine species, delimitation of these areas is determined mainly by endemic alpine species, i.e., areas of concordant species distribution patterns are congruent with areas of endemism. Endemicity Analysis identified six areas of concordant species distribution patterns irrespective of dataset (total alpine species versus endemic alpine species), whereas the Network-Clustering approach identified five and four Bioregions from total alpine species and endemic alpine species, respectively. Most of these areas have been previously identified using the endemic flora of different elevational zones. The identified units using both methods and both datasets are strongly congruent, proposing that they reveal meaningful distribution patterns. Bioregionalization in the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot appears to be strongly influenced by the endemic alpine species, a pattern likely to hold in alpine regions outside the Irano-Anatolian hotspot. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00035-021-00266-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jalil Noroozi
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sina Khalvati
- Department of Biology, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Haniyeh Nafisi
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Kaveh
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnaz Nazari
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Golshan Zare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Masoud Minaei
- Department of Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Geographic Information Science/System and Remote Sensing Laboratory (GISSRS: lab), Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ernst Vitek
- Natural History Museum of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald M. Schneeweiss
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cobb NS, Gall LF, Zaspel JM, Dowdy NJ, McCabe LM, Kawahara AY. Assessment of North American arthropod collections: prospects and challenges for addressing biodiversity research. PeerJ 2019; 7:e8086. [PMID: 31788358 PMCID: PMC6882419 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 300 million arthropod specimens are housed in North American natural history collections. These collections represent a "vast hidden treasure trove" of biodiversity -95% of the specimen label data have yet to be transcribed for research, and less than 2% of the specimens have been imaged. Specimen labels contain crucial information to determine species distributions over time and are essential for understanding patterns of ecology and evolution, which will help assess the growing biodiversity crisis driven by global change impacts. Specimen images offer indispensable insight and data for analyses of traits, and ecological and phylogenetic patterns of biodiversity. Here, we review North American arthropod collections using two key metrics, specimen holdings and digitization efforts, to assess the potential for collections to provide needed biodiversity data. We include data from 223 arthropod collections in North America, with an emphasis on the United States. Our specific findings are as follows: (1) The majority of North American natural history collections (88%) and specimens (89%) are located in the United States. Canada has comparable holdings to the United States relative to its estimated biodiversity. Mexico has made the furthest progress in terms of digitization, but its specimen holdings should be increased to reflect the estimated higher Mexican arthropod diversity. The proportion of North American collections that has been digitized, and the number of digital records available per species, are both much lower for arthropods when compared to chordates and plants. (2) The National Science Foundation's decade-long ADBC program (Advancing Digitization of Biological Collections) has been transformational in promoting arthropod digitization. However, even if this program became permanent, at current rates, by the year 2050 only 38% of the existing arthropod specimens would be digitized, and less than 1% would have associated digital images. (3) The number of specimens in collections has increased by approximately 1% per year over the past 30 years. We propose that this rate of increase is insufficient to provide enough data to address biodiversity research needs, and that arthropod collections should aim to triple their rate of new specimen acquisition. (4) The collections we surveyed in the United States vary broadly in a number of indicators. Collectively, there is depth and breadth, with smaller collections providing regional depth and larger collections providing greater global coverage. (5) Increased coordination across museums is needed for digitization efforts to target taxa for research and conservation goals and address long-term data needs. Two key recommendations emerge: collections should significantly increase both their specimen holdings and their digitization efforts to empower continental and global biodiversity data pipelines, and stimulate downstream research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil S. Cobb
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
| | - Lawrence F. Gall
- Entomology Division, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M. Zaspel
- Department of Zoology, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | - Nicolas J. Dowdy
- Department of Zoology, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America
| | - Lindsie M. McCabe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
| | - Akito Y. Kawahara
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Elías GDV, Aagesen L. Areas of endemism and recent speciation in the Southern Cone of South America, using Senecio (Asteraceae) as a proxy. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We set out to identify areas of endemism (AEs) among vascular plants in the Southern Cone of South America, using the genus Senecio (Asteraceae) as proxy. The use of a proxy allows a large-scale study to be carried out in a relatively short time and is suitable for pinpointing areas of interest for further investigation. Senecio is the most obvious choice for a proxy in the Southern Cone, because it is the most diverse genus in the region. We analysed the distribution of 200 endemic species using an optimality criterion (VNDM program). In general, endemism of Senecio in the Southern Cone forms 16 AEs that coincide with previously defined AEs and/or with distribution patterns also supported in phylogeographical studies. As such, Senecio appears to be a suitable proxy in endemicity studies, bearing in mind that these species are of young ages and therefore identify neoendemic AEs. Senecio distribution patterns in the Southern Cone corroborate that high Andean environments are prime sites for endemism, which peaks in the Cuyan High Andean AE, an AE that was not identified in previous endemism studies. Nevertheless, towards the south, the ecotone between the Patagonian Steppe and the Southern Andean forest becomes equally important for speciation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Del Valle Elías
- Instituto de Ambiente de Montaña y Regiones Áridas y Departamento de Cs. Básicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Chilecito, Chilecito, La Rioja, Argentina
| | - Lone Aagesen
- Instituto de Botánica Darwinion (ANCEFN-CONICET), HYD San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Noroozi J, Zare G, Sherafati M, Mahmoodi M, Moser D, Asgarpour Z, Schneeweiss GM. Patterns of Endemism in Turkey, the Meeting Point of Three Global Biodiversity Hotspots, Based on Three Diverse Families of Vascular Plants. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
9
|
Casagranda MD, Goloboff PA. On stability measures and effects of data structure in the recognition of areas of endemism. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Dolores Casagranda
- Unidad Ejecutora Lillo/CONICET, Miguel Lillo, San Miguel de Tucumán (CP), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Pablo A Goloboff
- Unidad Ejecutora Lillo/CONICET, Miguel Lillo, San Miguel de Tucumán (CP), Tucumán, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Knyshov A, Gordon ERL, Weirauch C. Cost‐efficient high throughput capture of museum arthropod specimen
DNA
using
PCR
‐generated baits. Methods Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Knyshov
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of California Riverside Riverside California
| | - Eric R. L. Gordon
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of California Riverside Riverside California
| | - Christiane Weirauch
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of California Riverside Riverside California
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Santos CMD, Fuhlendorf M. GeX: an automated tool for generating XYD files for analysis of endemicity using VNDM. Cladistics 2019; 35:125-129. [PMID: 34622979 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, a method widely used to delimit areas of endemism is the analysis of endemicity (AE), a non-hierarchical and grid-dependent algorithm implemented through the package NDM/VNDM. Its input files are based on lists of georeferenced taxa, and any mistakes in their preparation will influence the results of the analyses. We describe here a free online automated tool for generating the input files for VNDM from simple spreadsheets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Morphy D Santos
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Bairro Bangu, Santo André, SP, 09210-170, Brazil
| | - Max Fuhlendorf
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Bairro Bangu, Santo André, SP, 09210-170, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schwartz MD, Weirauch C, Schuh RT. New Genera and Species of Myrtaceae-Feeding Phylinae from Australia, and the Description of a New Species of Restiophylus (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae). BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2018. [DOI: 10.1206/0003-0090-424.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Randall T. Schuh
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology American Museum of Natural History
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Noroozi J, Talebi A, Doostmohammadi M, Rumpf SB, Linder HP, Schneeweiss GM. Hotspots within a global biodiversity hotspot - areas of endemism are associated with high mountain ranges. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10345. [PMID: 29985437 PMCID: PMC6037708 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28504-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation biology aims at identifying areas of rich biodiversity. Currently recognized global biodiversity hotspots are spatially too coarse for conservation management and identification of hotspots at a finer scale is needed. This might be achieved by identification of areas of endemism. Here, we identify areas of endemism in Iran, a major component of the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot, and address their ecological correlates. Using the extremely diverse sunflower family (Asteraceae) as our model system, five consensus areas of endemism were identified using the approach of endemicity analysis. Both endemic richness and degree of endemicity were positively related to topographic complexity and elevational range. The proportion of endemic taxa at a certain elevation (percent endemism) was not congruent with the proportion of total surface area at this elevation, but was higher in mountain ranges. While the distribution of endemic richness (i.e., number of endemic taxa) along an elevational gradient was hump-shaped peaking at mid-elevations, the percentage of endemism gradually increased with elevation. Patterns of endemic richness as well as areas of endemism identify mountain ranges as main centres of endemism, which is likely due to high environmental heterogeneity and strong geographic isolation among and within mountain ranges. The herein identified areas can form the basis for defining areas with conservation priority in this global biodiversity hotspot.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jalil Noroozi
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Amir Talebi
- Department of Plant Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sabine B Rumpf
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hans Peter Linder
- Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gerald M Schneeweiss
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
James SA, Soltis PS, Belbin L, Chapman AD, Nelson G, Paul DL, Collins M. Herbarium data: Global biodiversity and societal botanical needs for novel research. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2018; 6:e1024. [PMID: 29732255 PMCID: PMC5851569 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.1024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Building on centuries of research based on herbarium specimens gathered through time and around the globe, a new era of discovery, synthesis, and prediction using digitized collections data has begun. This paper provides an overview of how aggregated, open access botanical and associated biological, environmental, and ecological data sets, from genes to the ecosystem, can be used to document the impacts of global change on communities, organisms, and society; predict future impacts; and help to drive the remediation of change. Advocacy for botanical collections and their expansion is needed, including ongoing digitization and online publishing. The addition of non-traditional digitized data fields, user annotation capability, and born-digital field data collection enables the rapid access of rich, digitally available data sets for research, education, informed decision-making, and other scholarly and creative activities. Researchers are receiving enormous benefits from data aggregators including the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio), the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), and the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), but effective collaboration around data infrastructures is needed when working with large and disparate data sets. Tools for data discovery, visualization, analysis, and skills training are increasingly important for inspiring novel research that improves the intrinsic value of physical and digital botanical collections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelley A. James
- National Herbarium of New South WalesRoyal Botanic Gardens and Domain TrustMrs Macquaries RoadSydneyNew South Wales2000Australia
| | - Pamela S. Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida32611USA
| | - Lee Belbin
- Atlas of Living AustraliaCSIROClunies Ross StreetActonAustralia Capital Territory2601Australia
| | - Arthur D. Chapman
- Australian Biodiversity Information ServicesBallanVictoria3342Australia
| | - Gil Nelson
- iDigBioFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFlorida32306USA
| | | | - Matthew Collins
- Advanced Computing and Information SystemsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida32611USA
| |
Collapse
|