The Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET): prospects for biodiversity research and conservation in the Neotropics

Abstract

Biodiversity research and conservation efforts in the tropics are hindered by the lack of knowledge of the assemblages found there, with many species undescribed or poorly known. Our initiative, the Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET), aims to address this problem by assembling georeferenced data from a wide range of sources, making these data easily accessible and easily queried, and promoting data sharing. The database (GIVD ID NA-00-002) currently comprises ca. 50,000 tree records of ca. 5,000 species (230 in the IUCN Red List) from >2,000 forest plots in 11 countries. The focus is on trees because of their pivotal role in tropical forest ecosystems (which contain most of the world's biodiversity) in terms of ecosystem function, carbon storage and effects on other species. BIOTREE-NET currently focuses on southern Mexico and Central America, but we aim to expand coverage to other parts of tropical America. The database is relational, comprising 12 linked data tables. We summarise its structure and contents. Key tables contain data on forest plots (including size, location and date(s) sampled), individual trees (including diameter, when available, and both recorded and standardised species name), species (including biological traits of each species) and the researchers who collected the data. Many types of queries are facilitated and species distribution modelling is enabled. Examining the data in BIOTREE-NET to date, we found an uneven distribution of data in space and across biomes, reflecting the general state of knowledge of the tropics. More than 90% of the data were collected since 1990 and plot size varies widely, but with most less than one hectare in size. A wide range of minimum sizes is used to define a 'tree'. The database helps to identify gaps that need filling by further data collection and collation. The data can be publicly accessed through a web application at http://portal.biotreenet.com. Researchers are invited and encouraged to contribute data to BIOTREE-NET.

The impact of modelling choices in the predictive performance of richness maps derived from species‐distribution models: guidelines to build better diversity models

“…We compiled a list of 2793 target tree species from the BIOTREE‐NET forest plot database (Cayuela et al . ). The species names were standardized using The Plant List (http://www.theplantlist.org/) as a reference checklist.…”

“…For this, we generated 380 S‐SDMs based on the predicted ranges of 1224 tropical tree species in Mesoamerica by combining 19 SDM and ensemble methods with 20 threshold criteria using presence‐only data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and we compared the outcomes in species richness and composition with ground‐truth information provided by the BIOTREE‐NET forest plot database (Cayuela et al . ). Specifically, we aimed to answer the following question: Which combination of SDM algorithms (or ensemble method) and threshold criteria maximize the performance of S‐SDMs in terms of species richness and composition?…”

Ecological and biogeographic null hypotheses for comparing rarefaction curves

“…For these plots, incidence records were based on trees exceeding 5 cm in DBH. Data were obtained from the BIOTREE-NET website (Cayuela et al 2012a). As in the first case study, species (Cayuela et al 2012b).…”

Advances in aquatic insect systematics and biodiversity in the Neotropics: introduction

“…As noted by Tundisi and Matsumura-Tundisi (2008), the Neotropics may contain the greatest number of plants and animals among all biogeographic regions. Anthropogenic disturbances, especially deforestation, urbanisation and climate change, threaten the integrity of the Neotropics and its biodiversity (Millenium Ecosystem Assessment 2005;Cayuela et al 2012). For example, Kehoe et al (2017) estimated that upwards of 30% of species richness and 31% of species abundance are at risk of loss in tropical areas due to intensification of agricultural stressors.…”

“…For example, Kehoe et al (2017) estimated that upwards of 30% of species richness and 31% of species abundance are at risk of loss in tropical areas due to intensification of agricultural stressors. This is problematic because most Neotropical biodiversity, especially invertebrates, remains undescribed and undocumented, and some of it is at risk of extirpation and extinction (Contrador, Kennedy, and Rozzi 2012 Cayuela et al (2012) indicated that one of the main problems of conservation is the inadequate knowledge of descriptive taxonomy and the distribution of organisms, which is especially true for the Neotropics. Simple logic dictates that the more biodiversity is identified and described, the more likely conservation efforts aimed at protecting it will be successful.…”