Spatial, temporal and taxonomic biases in the data

[dhobern]

My comment under one of the other topics is about changing approaches to recording biodiversity and the different biases that derive from these different approaches:

Data models and standards for improved usability

A key aspect is that the primary mechanisms for collecting useful data on biodiversity have changed over time. I see three overlapping eras: SPECIMENS - Prior to the middle of the 20th century, the vast majority of information we have on biodiversity comes from the work of collectors. A small workforce delivered data collected primarily from the most accessible locations (no sampling methodology) but with very broad taxonomic scope. The model could never scale to deliver planetary modelling bu…