Gaps in trait data and conservation impediments from the Raunkiæran shortfall in a megadiverse nation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Global biodiversity is declining, making it crucial to identify species and factors that increase the risk of extinction, particularly in developing megadiverse countries. In this study, I highlighted the persistence of the Raunkiæran shortfall and its conservation relevance to the Philippine terrestrial vertebrates. The analysis revealed that amphibians and reptiles are understudied compared to birds and mammals, with a sampling bias favouring larger, widespread, and least-threatened species. Body size and habitat breadth were the most sampled traits, and species with more records had greater trait completeness. Such biases and data gaps have serious consequences for inaccurate generalisation of extinction risk analyses, which could consequently hamper effective conservation planning and strategy development in a megadiverse country. For instance, threatened and endemic species, many of which have lower trait data availability, face a higher risk of extinction and are more vulnerable to various threats than other species. This study underscores the challenges faced by developing megadiverse countries, such as the Philippines, in filling trait data gaps potentially due to research priorities and economic constraints, a situation that is mirrored in other megadiverse regions. Addressing these gaps with gradual, multifaceted strategies is essential for effective trait-based conservation and policy-making.
Source: iScience
Author: Krizler C. Tanalgo
Institution: University of Southern Mindanao
Language: English
Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,240
OpenAlex ID: W4416118978