Capacity building needed to reap the benefits of access to biodiversity collections

Groom, Q., Meeus, S., Bárrios, S., Childs, C., Clubbe, C., Corbett, E., Francis, S., Gray, A., Harding, L., Jackman, A., Machin, R., McGovern, A., Pienkowski, M., Ryan, D., Sealys, C., Wensink, C., & Peyton, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8313-6194 (2025). Capacity building needed to reap the benefits of access to biodiversity collections. Plants, People, Planet 10.1002/ppp3.70029.

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Abstract

Societal Impact Statement

Global conservation efforts increasingly depend on digitised natural history collections, yet the benefits of this digital data are not equally shared. We analysed biodiversity specimens and citation data from Montserrat and the Cayman Islands to assess who collected these specimens, how they are used, and by whom. We found that despite increased accessibility, research using these data is still dominated by institutions in the Global North, with limited involvement or benefit for local communities. Our findings underscore the urgent need for investment in training, infrastructure, and equitable partnerships to ensure long‐term conservation capacity in biodiverse but under‐resourced regions.
Summary

This research examines biodiversity specimens from two areas of the Caribbean to understand patterns of collection and the roles of the people involved. Using open data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and Wikidata, we aimed to uncover geographic and historical trends in specimen use. This study aims to provide concrete evidence to guide collaboration between collection‐holding institutions and the communities that need their resources most.
We analysed biodiversity specimens from Montserrat and the Cayman Islands in three steps. First, we extracted specimen data from GBIF, disambiguated collector names, and linked them to unique biographical entries. Next, we connected collectors to their publications and specimens. Finally, we analysed the modern use of these specimens through citation data, mapping author affiliations and research themes.
Specimens are predominantly housed in the Global North and were initially used by their collectors, whose focus was largely on taxonomy and biogeography. With digitisation, use of these collections remains concentrated in the Global North and covers a broader range of subjects, although Brazil and China stand out as significant users of digital collection data compared to other similar countries.
The availability of open digital data from collections in the Global North has led to a substantial increase in the reuse of these data across biodiversity science. Nonetheless, most research using these data is still conducted in the Global North. For the non‐monetary benefits of digitisation to extend to the countries of origin, capacity building in the Global South is crucial, and Open Data alone are insufficient.

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