Aim Climate change is expected to cause large shifts in species assemblages such as dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata). Here, we assess the influence of environmental drivers of turnover on Odonata assemblages. Secondly, we map the predicted spatial variation in species composition, first as a gradient of assemblage similarity, and then as discrete bioregions delineating major areas of odonate endemism. Finally, we map the magnitude of expected change in species turnover in response to climate change under two emission scenarios. Location South Africa. Methods We used a spatial database comprising of 164 species of odonates and 20 covariates, to explore changes in compositional turnover using generalized dissimilarity models. Bioregions were compiled through various clustering techniques. Results Present‐day odonate bioregions correspond to climatic zones and are clearly separated by transitional zones with rapid spatial turnover. Present odonate bioregions are projected to undergo extensive reorganization by 2050 and 2070. Temporal turnover in species composition is expected to reach up to 80% in the large arid interior and 64% along the coast. Half of all South Africa's protected areas are likely to experience climate induced changes to dragonfly bioregions in the near future. Main conclusions Species assemblages are rapidly changing. This work highlights future shifts in climate will result in complex and nonlinear responses in Odonata communities. With ongoing climate change, current odonate bioregions are predicted to expand while others will contract considerably in size within the next 30 years. The current demarcated protected areas may be inadequate to protect dragonflies as climates change. Odonata can be used to track forefronts of climate change, which will likely affect a larger array of taxa as well.

The potential of big data capabilities to transform and understand global agricultural and biological systems often relies on data from different sources that must be considered together or aggregated to provide insights. The value of data is however not only in its collection and storage, but largely in its re-use. Big data storage repositories are not enough when we consider a world brimming with escalating volumes of data, here we need to consider innovative systems and tools which address data harmonization and standardization and importantly, ones that can bridge the gap between science and end users. In this paper, we will demonstrate how CGIAR (including the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT) develops a culture of co-operation and collaboration among custodians of agrobiodiversity data, as well as new directions for big data. CGIAR first launched the Platform for Big Data in Agriculture to enhance the development and maintenance of its data. This helped establish workflows of cross-platform synthesis, annotate and apply the lessons learnt. The Platform then built GARDIAN (Global Agricultural Research Data Innovation and Acceleration Network)—a digital tool that harvests from ∼40 separate open data and publication repositories that 15 CGIAR centres have used for data synthesis. While there have been significant advances in big data management and storage, we also identify the gaps to improve use, and the re-use of data in order to reveal its added value in decision making.