The cost-effectiveness of biodiversity surveys in tropical forests.
The identification of high-performance indicator taxa that combine practical feasibility and ecological value requires an understanding of the costs and benefits of surveying different taxa. We present a generic and novel framework for identifying such taxa, and illustrate our approach using a large-scale assessment of 14 different higher taxa across three forest types in the Brazilian Amazon, estimating both the standardized survey cost and the ecological and biodiversity indicator value for each taxon. Survey costs varied by three orders of magnitude, and dung beetles and birds were identified as especially suitable for evaluating and monitoring the ecological consequences of habitat change in our study region. However, an exclusive focus on such taxa occurs at the expense of understanding patterns of diversity in other groups. To improve the cost-effectiveness of biodiversity research we encourage a combination of clearer research goals and the use of an objective evidence-based approach to selecting study taxa.
Gardner
Toby A
TA
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK. tobyagardner@gmail.com
Barlow
Jos
J
Araujo
Ivanei S
IS
Avila-Pires
Teresa Cristina
TC
Bonaldo
Alexandre B
AB
Costa
Joana E
JE
Esposito
Maria Cristina
MC
Ferreira
Leandro V
LV
Hawes
Joseph
J
Hernandez
Malva I M
MI
Hoogmoed
Marinus S
MS
Leite
Rafael N
RN
Lo-Man-Hung
Nancy F
NF
Malcolm
Jay R
JR
Martins
Marlucia B
MB
Mestre
Luiz A M
LA
Miranda-Santos
Ronildon
R
Overal
William L
WL
Parry
Luke
L
Peters
Sandra L
SL
Ribeiro-Junior
Marco Antônio
MA
da Silva
Maria N F
MN
da Silva Motta
Catarina
C
Peres
Carlos A
CA
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D001717:Birds; D001938:Brazil; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000191:economics; D007313:Insecta; D008322:Mammals; D010944:Plants; D013997:Time Factors; D014197:Trees / Q000502:physiology*; D014329:Tropical Climate