Global Diversity Estimates Need to Acknowledge Species–Area Relationships.
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| Title: | Global Diversity Estimates Need to Acknowledge Species–Area Relationships. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Faurby, S.1,2 (AUTHOR) soren.faurby@bioenv.gu.se, Matthews, T. J.3,4 (AUTHOR), Silvestro, D.1,2,5,6 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Global Ecology & Biogeography. Jun2026, Vol. 35 Issue 6, p1-10. 10p. |
| Subjects: | Selection bias (Statistics), Extrapolation, Biodiversity, Species diversity, Biodiversity monitoring, Species, Insect-plant relationships |
| Abstract: | Background: Many studies have tried to estimate the number of undescribed species based on the known diversity. These estimates often rely on extrapolation based on data from a limited number of species. Although statistical methods provide accurate inference when generalizing from a random sample, their predictions will be biased when based on a non‐random sample unless the sampling process is explicitly accounted for. Problem: In this paper, we argue that this is a fundamental issue in many estimates of unrecorded biodiversity. We show that the sample of species used in biodiversity extrapolation represents disproportionately common and abundant taxa, which leads to an overestimation of extrapolated diversity. We discuss this issue in the context of three specific cases: estimates of plant‐associated insect diversity, estimates of parasite diversity and estimates of cryptic species diversity. Implications: For the example of plant‐associated insects, we provide an estimate of the magnitude of the error, but insufficient data are currently available to estimate the magnitude of the problem for the other examples. Our findings cast doubt over previous attempts to estimate the number of undescribed species, suggesting that they provide consistent overestimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Global Ecology & Biogeography is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 194916897 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Global Diversity Estimates Need to Acknowledge Species–Area Relationships. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Faurby%2C+S%2E%22">Faurby, S.</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> soren.faurby@bioenv.gu.se</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Matthews%2C+T%2E+J%2E%22">Matthews, T. J.</searchLink><relatesTo>3,4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Silvestro%2C+D%2E%22">Silvestro, D.</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2,5,6</relatesTo> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Global+Ecology+%26+Biogeography%22">Global Ecology & Biogeography</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 35 Issue 6, p1-10. 10p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Selection+bias+%28Statistics%29%22">Selection bias (Statistics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Extrapolation%22">Extrapolation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biodiversity%22">Biodiversity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Species+diversity%22">Species diversity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biodiversity+monitoring%22">Biodiversity monitoring</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Species%22">Species</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Insect-plant+relationships%22">Insect-plant relationships</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Background: Many studies have tried to estimate the number of undescribed species based on the known diversity. These estimates often rely on extrapolation based on data from a limited number of species. Although statistical methods provide accurate inference when generalizing from a random sample, their predictions will be biased when based on a non‐random sample unless the sampling process is explicitly accounted for. Problem: In this paper, we argue that this is a fundamental issue in many estimates of unrecorded biodiversity. We show that the sample of species used in biodiversity extrapolation represents disproportionately common and abundant taxa, which leads to an overestimation of extrapolated diversity. We discuss this issue in the context of three specific cases: estimates of plant‐associated insect diversity, estimates of parasite diversity and estimates of cryptic species diversity. Implications: For the example of plant‐associated insects, we provide an estimate of the magnitude of the error, but insufficient data are currently available to estimate the magnitude of the problem for the other examples. Our findings cast doubt over previous attempts to estimate the number of undescribed species, suggesting that they provide consistent overestimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Global Ecology & Biogeography is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1111/geb.70267 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 10 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Selection bias (Statistics) Type: general – SubjectFull: Extrapolation Type: general – SubjectFull: Biodiversity Type: general – SubjectFull: Species diversity Type: general – SubjectFull: Biodiversity monitoring Type: general – SubjectFull: Species Type: general – SubjectFull: Insect-plant relationships Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Global Diversity Estimates Need to Acknowledge Species–Area Relationships. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Faurby, S. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Matthews, T. J. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Silvestro, D. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 06 Text: Jun2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 1466822X Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 35 – Type: issue Value: 6 Titles: – TitleFull: Global Ecology & Biogeography Type: main |
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