Mapping Marine Biodiversity Knowledge Gaps Using Open Data

Dear Colleagues,

Data digitization and the mobilization of marine species have greatly expanded over the last few decades via the establishment of biodiversity open access databases such as the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Despite these great efforts, in some areas more than 50% of the ocean lacks digital data, restricting accurate biodiversity assessments. The challenge at hand is first to determine the existing knowledge gaps and identify their drivers, such as a lack of sampling, data digitization or taxonomy efforts. Open data can help to determine areas requiring attention.

In this Special Issue, we aim to compile papers using open portals in addition to their own sampling methods to uncover knowledge gaps and biodiversity patterns in marine species at both regional and global scales. This Special Issue hopes to contribute to these fields and to establish recommendations for marine conservations strategies and the way forward.

Dr. Hanieh Saeedi
Dr. James Davis Reimer
Prof. Dr. Angelika Brandt
Guest Editors

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