Abstract
Taxonomy is foundational to the life sciences, yet remains structurally undervalued in systems of research evaluation that rely on short-term citation metrics. To explore the roots of this imbalance, we analysed 360 open-access articles published in 2024 across 12 major journals in ecology and taxonomy. Our results reveal a striking divergence: ecological journals overwhelmingly focus on charismatic vertebrates described in the 18th and 19th centuries, whereas taxonomic journals highlight recently described and often inconspicuous invertebrates. To visualise this contrast, we reconstruct parallel “Species Scapes,” inspired by Wheeler’s (1990) concept, which immediately convey the fundamentally different Umwelten of these two scientific communities. The ecological Species Scape is dominated by familiar megafauna, while the taxonomic Species Scape highlights hyperdiverse but underappreciated groups. This mirrored visualisation demonstrates how disciplinary perspectives shape what counts as biodiversity, and how historical and perceptual filters drive a systemic neglect of taxonomic novelty. Recognising and bridging these divergent Umwelten is a necessary step toward correcting the systemic undervaluation of taxonomy and ensuring that taxonomic contributions are fairly recognised as part of a more comprehensive biodiversity science.
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Taxonomy underpins all biodiversity sciences, yet its essential role in measuring and managing life on Earth remains underrecognized in conservation and policy frameworks. Analyzing 360 articles from 12 leading ecology and taxonomy journals in 2024, we reveal that ecologists overwhelmingly focus on historically familiar vertebrates, while taxonomists emphasize recently described invertebrates—the overlooked majority of real biodiversity. These contrasting “Species Scapes” illustrate how disciplinary perspectives systematically shape what counts as biodiversity, with direct consequences for conservation and policy frameworks that depend on accurate taxonomic data. Integrating taxonomic expertise into biodiversity governance is essential for comprehensive policy implementation.
https://doi.org/10.32942/X2CQ08
Life Sciences
Species Scape, Umwelt, taxonomy, ecology
Published: 2025-09-24 11:08
Last Updated: 2025-12-16 10:07
CC BY Attribution 4.0 International
Language:
English
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