Species bias and spillover effects in scientific research on Carnivora in China

Scientific research provides essential information for conservation of threatened species. Data deficiency due to insufficient research impedes the design of conservation plans, and research bias may mistakenly direct limited resources to low biodiversity regions or less threatened species. Here, we...

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Main Authors: Zhi-Ning Wang, Li Yang, Peng-Fei Fan, Lu Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Science Press, PR China 2021-05-01
Series:Zoological Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.zoores.ac.cn/EN/10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.033
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spelling doaj-be35fcccdcaa4c47bbb5c8700f6343a42021-06-01T09:19:25ZengScience Press, PR ChinaZoological Research2095-81372021-05-0142335436110.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.033ZR-2021-033Species bias and spillover effects in scientific research on Carnivora in ChinaZhi-Ning Wang0Li Yang1Peng-Fei Fan2Lu Zhang3School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, ChinaScientific research provides essential information for conservation of threatened species. Data deficiency due to insufficient research impedes the design of conservation plans, and research bias may mistakenly direct limited resources to low biodiversity regions or less threatened species. Here, we conducted a systematic review of published papers, grants, and graduate student training on carnivorans in China to identify species bias and research gaps. Furthermore, we collected intrinsic and extrinsic features of carnivorans, and identified features that impact research intensity using generalized linear models. We found that the amount of research on carnivorans increased markedly after 2000, but species bias existed. Bears and big cats received the greatest research attention, while most small- and medium-sized carnivorans received little attention, thus showing the 80–20 phenomenon. Species with a higher level of endemism and protection under Chinese law received more consideration. As an animal conservation icon in China, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) attracted more than 50% of overall carnivoran research resources. However, the giant panda also showed spillover effects, i.e., post-doctoral graduates who studied the giant panda shifted their research focus to other species after graduation, which may help improve research on other species. Thus, to improve and strengthen Carnivora research and conservation, we suggest investing greater effort in species of less concern, training of more graduate students, and reinforcing academic exchange. If such actions are not taken, many carnivoran species will continue being data deficient and threatened.http://www.zoores.ac.cn/EN/10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.033ailuropoda melanoleucacarnivoraconservationresearch bias80–20 phenomenon
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Zhi-Ning Wang
Li Yang
Peng-Fei Fan
Lu Zhang
spellingShingle Zhi-Ning Wang
Li Yang
Peng-Fei Fan
Lu Zhang
Species bias and spillover effects in scientific research on Carnivora in China
Zoological Research
ailuropoda melanoleuca
carnivora
conservation
research bias
80–20 phenomenon
author_facet Zhi-Ning Wang
Li Yang
Peng-Fei Fan
Lu Zhang
author_sort Zhi-Ning Wang
title Species bias and spillover effects in scientific research on Carnivora in China
title_short Species bias and spillover effects in scientific research on Carnivora in China
title_full Species bias and spillover effects in scientific research on Carnivora in China
title_fullStr Species bias and spillover effects in scientific research on Carnivora in China
title_full_unstemmed Species bias and spillover effects in scientific research on Carnivora in China
title_sort species bias and spillover effects in scientific research on carnivora in china
publisher Science Press, PR China
series Zoological Research
issn 2095-8137
publishDate 2021-05-01
description Scientific research provides essential information for conservation of threatened species. Data deficiency due to insufficient research impedes the design of conservation plans, and research bias may mistakenly direct limited resources to low biodiversity regions or less threatened species. Here, we conducted a systematic review of published papers, grants, and graduate student training on carnivorans in China to identify species bias and research gaps. Furthermore, we collected intrinsic and extrinsic features of carnivorans, and identified features that impact research intensity using generalized linear models. We found that the amount of research on carnivorans increased markedly after 2000, but species bias existed. Bears and big cats received the greatest research attention, while most small- and medium-sized carnivorans received little attention, thus showing the 80–20 phenomenon. Species with a higher level of endemism and protection under Chinese law received more consideration. As an animal conservation icon in China, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) attracted more than 50% of overall carnivoran research resources. However, the giant panda also showed spillover effects, i.e., post-doctoral graduates who studied the giant panda shifted their research focus to other species after graduation, which may help improve research on other species. Thus, to improve and strengthen Carnivora research and conservation, we suggest investing greater effort in species of less concern, training of more graduate students, and reinforcing academic exchange. If such actions are not taken, many carnivoran species will continue being data deficient and threatened.
topic ailuropoda melanoleuca
carnivora
conservation
research bias
80–20 phenomenon
url http://www.zoores.ac.cn/EN/10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.033
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