Volume and Geographical Distribution of Ecological Research in the Andes and the Amazon, 1995–2008

Abstract

The Andes range and the Amazon basin represent the most diverse biological community on earth and the largest tropical forest on earth, respectively, but they are historically understudied by biologists. In this paper we provide the first quantitative description of the volume and geographical distribution of ecological research in these regions. We compiled a dataset of all articles based on the Andes and Amazon regions published in two prominent international tropical ecology journals between 1995 and 2008. During this period, the number of scientific articles based on research in the Amazon was half that based on research in Central America, while the Andes scored among the least-studied of all tropical regions. Brazil was the leading base for Amazonian studies and Ecuador the primary location for Andean studies, but Ecuador led both categories and Brazil came last when research effort was standardized by area. Most Amazonian research took place in three regions-Manaus, southeastern Peru, and eastern Ecuador-with ~31 percent of all papers coming from four field stations in those regions. Andean research focused overwhelmingly on the northern Andes. Research in the Andes range and the Amazon basin remains scattered, patchy, and far below its potential. We propose steps that funding agencies can take to increase research output and reduce geographical bias in the study of South America's richest ecosystems.Key words: biogeography, Brazil, capacity-building, Ecuador, field stations, Peru, scientific journals, tropical ResumenLa cordillera andina y la cuenca amazónica representan la comunidad biológica más diversa de la Tierra y el bosque tropical más extensa de la Tierra, respectivamente, pero históricamente han sido poco estudiados por los biólogos. En este artículo se ofrece la primera descripción cuantitativa del volumen y distribución geográfica de la investigación ecológica en estas regiones. Se compiló una base de datos de todos los estudios basados en las regiones andinas y amazónicas publicados en dos importantes revistas internacionales de la ecología tropical entre 1995 y 2008. Durante este período, fueron publicados dos veces más artículos científicos basados en investigación en América Central de que en toda la Amazonía, mientras la región andina fue una de las menos estudiadas de todos los trópicos. Brasil fue el principal local para estudios amazónicos y Ecuador el principal local para estudios andinos, pero cuando el esfuerzo de investigación fue estandarizado por área Ecuador ocupó el primer lugar y Brasil el último. La mayoría de la investigación amazónica se llevó a cabo en tres regiones-Manaos, el sudeste del Perú, y el este de Ecuador-y el 41% de los artículos amazónicos provinieron de cuatro estaciones científicas en esas regiones. La investigación andina fue muy enfocada en la región norte de la cordillera. Concluimos que la investigación científica en los Andes y la Amazonía sigue siendo dispersa y muy por debajo de su potencial. Proponemos políticas que las agencias donantes podrí...

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“…The exceptions are Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, where a longer-standing tradition of ornithology in museums and academic institutions has resulted in high productivity by residents (Di Giacomo and Di Giacomo 2008, Alves et al 2008, Navarro-Sigüenza et al 2008; see also Naranjo 2008, Pitman et al 2011. Some countries, such as Ecuador and Bolivia, have fairly large numbers of publications authored by residents (Table 2).…”

“…Some countries, such as Ecuador and Bolivia, have fairly large numbers of publications authored by residents (Table 2). It should be pointed out, however, that nearly 60% of those are authored by non-nationals, reflecting the need to continue strengthening national ornithology programs (Naranjo 2008, Pitman et al 2011.…”

“…In our view, among the most important developments in Neotropical ornithology are the empowerment and academic training of local ornithologists (Brooks et al 2008, Pitman et al 2011; the increasingly common international collaborations (Naranjo 2008); and, in the case of countries such as Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, the willingness of local governments to allocate significant funds to science and technology (Pitman et al 2011). Nonetheless, Neotropical ornithology still needs to establish common programs and objectives in order to foster a Neotropical ornithological science (Naranjo 2008).…”

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