Research networks should improve connectivity for halting freshwater insect extinctions

Abstract

1. Avoiding freshwater insect extinctions requires studies assessing causal links between a human pressure and biodiversity measures (threats), the state of biodiversity through time (status), and solutions to manage species loss. However, an imbalance between these different approaches on declines of freshwater insects and the distribution of the studies between countries may have implications for implementing conservation knowledge into practical conservation actions. 2. Here, we evaluate country co‐authorship relationships through quantitative bibliometric analysis to identify networks of research collaboration on freshwater insects extinction, and how this overall network is modified by the type of studies (status, threats, and solutions). 3. We detected that authors from developed countries dominated the networks, and most studies assessed threats to freshwater insects, knowledge which is part of a research network involving multiple countries. The status network of research collaboration was clearly more disconnected in comparison with the network of all studies, whereas the solution network showed the greatest connectivity. 4. These results reveal that an increase in research collaboration is required for all approaches assessed here, because many megadiverse countries are not present in the networks. This is especially required for status and solution studies. Expansion of research collaboration should decrease inequalities between developed and developing countries, achieved by funding conservation studies in developing countries. Studies should also decrease classical inequalities, including those related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and ethnic minorities. These recommendations would benefit freshwater insect conservation science and practice.

Review of studies about bat-fly interactions inside roosts, with observations on partnership patterns for publications

“…The overview of the collaborative patterns for the studies on bat and bat-ectoparasite interactions in roosts reveals heterogeneity, often concurrently with differences in terms of country development (Valente-Neto et al 2021 ). In Brazil, for example, resources for research were severely cut over the last years, accounting for 92% of budget originally destinated to Science and Technology (De Moura and De Camargo Junior 2017 ; Santos et al 2019 ).…”

“…In Brazil, for example, resources for research were severely cut over the last years, accounting for 92% of budget originally destinated to Science and Technology (De Moura and De Camargo Junior 2017 ; Santos et al 2019 ). Access to resources and misuse of this advantage can contribute for the so-called helicopter surveys (Rochmyaningsih 2018 ; Valente-Neto et al 2021 ).…”

Global trends in research on the effects of climate change on Aedes aegypti: international collaboration has increased, but some critical countries lag behind

“…Furthermore, the establishment of good relationships among countries can help to generate partnerships for future research and opportunities for students, and aid problem solving [ 22 ]. Historically, the USA and Europe have had the largest collaboration networks [ 25 , 26 ]; however, these may have resulted from “helicopter research,” whereby wealthier countries collect data from low-income countries but do not involve local scientists in the research [ 27 ]. However, in recent years, many developing countries have increased their internationalization, with connections between national and international researchers promoted by the scientific policies of governmental and private funding agencies [ 24 ].…”