Global Ecology & Biogeography
Apr 17, 2022
A review of the heterogeneous landscape of biodiversity databases: Opportunities and challenges for a synthesized biodiversity knowledge base
Xiao Feng, Brian J. Enquist, Daniel S. Park, Brad Boyle, David D. Breshears, Rachael V. Gallagher, Aaron Lien, Erica A. Newman, Joseph R. Burger, Brian S. Maitner, Cory Merow, Yaoqi Li, Kimberly M. Huynh, Kacey Ernst, Elizabeth Baldwin, Wendy Foden, Lee Hannah, Peter M. Jørgensen, Nathan J. B. Kraft, Jon C. Lovett, Pablo A. Marquet, Brian J. McGill, Naia Morueta‐Holme, Danilo M. Neves, Mauricio M. Núñez‐Regueiro, Ary T. Oliveira‐Filho, Robert K. Peet, Michiel Pillet, Patrick R. Roehrdanz, Brody Sandel, Josep M. Serra‐Diaz, Irena Šímová, Jens‐Christian Svenning, Cyrille Violle, Trang D. Weitemier, Susan Wiser, Laura López‐Hoffman, Allen Hurlbert
Addressing global environmental challenges requires access to biodiversity data across wide spatial, temporal and taxonomic scales. Availability of such data has increased exponentially recently with the proliferation of biodiversity databases. However, heterogeneous coverage, protocols, and standards have hampered integration among these databases. To stimulate the next stage of data integration, here we present a synthesis of major databases, and investigate (a) how the coverage of databases varies across taxonomy, space, and record type; (b) what degree of integration is present among databases; (c) how integration of databases can increase biodiversity knowledge; and (d) the barriers to database integration.