Minding the gap: Range size and economic use drive functional trait data gaps in the Atlantic forest

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 283; p. 110087
• Main Authors: Petisco-Souza, Ana Carolina, Brum, Fernanda Thiesen, Marcilio-Silva, Vinícius, Zwiener, Victor P., Zanella, Andressa, Dias, Arildo S., González-Melo, Andrés, Jansen, Steven, Mazzochini, Guilherme G., Niinemets, Ülo, Pillar, Valério D., Sosinski, Enio, Marques, Márcia C.M., Carlucci, Marcos B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2023
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Ecosystem conservation value; Ecosystem functional properties; Missing data; Raunkiaeran shortfall; Trait data gaps; Missing data; Raunkiaeran shortfall; Biodiversity; Trait data gaps; Ecosystem conservation value; Ecosystem functional properties
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110087

Biodiversity shortfalls are knowledge gaps that result from uneven sampling through time and space, and human interest of species. Gaps in functional trait data may hamper a more mechanistic understanding of the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem services, with potential negative implications for conservation and restoration practices. Here we aim to investigate the potential drivers of trait data gaps and where geographically they are in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We quantified trait gaps, in the literature and open access data bases, for eight key plant functional traits of 2335 trees species and evaluated if species range size and economic use of wood drive trait gaps among species. We also evaluated if urban areas, protected areas, mean economic use of wood, and mean range size drive trait gaps geographically. We found larger trait gaps for species with small range sizes and with no economic use. Geographically, we found that gaps are lower in locations harboring more species with economic use of wood, especially in Atlantic Forest eastern locations. Our results allowed us to highlight which species and areas should be prioritized when sampling for functional traits. Efforts towards filling trait gaps of species with small ranges and no economic use of wood and of eastern Atlantic Forest locations are essential to further advance conservation and restoration of the Atlantic Forest informed by theoretical advances in trait-based ecology. •Biodiversity knowledge gaps are detrimental to biodiversity conservation.•Trait knowledge can be useful for theory-driven conservation in the Atlantic forest.•Economic use of wood and species range size are biasing species trait data gap.•Urban areas and protected areas are biasing trait gaps geographically.