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Assessing the completeness and consistency of global-scale avian datasets
Yujuan Huang1, Xinying Han1, Canwei Xia2
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Scientific Reports
|December 8, 2025
Summary
Researchers compiled global avian datasets from recent literature, finding species distribution and abundance data are most complete. Improving reproductive and behavioral data consistency is crucial for macroecology research.
Area of Science:
- Macroecology
- Avian Ecology
- Global Biodiversity Research
Background:
- Ecological research increasingly uses comparative and global-scale analyses.
- Birds are key subjects due to their wide distribution and environmental sensitivity.
- Fragmented avian data necessitates global dataset compilation and evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile global-scale avian datasets from recent literature.
- To assess the completeness and consistency of these datasets.
- To guide future global avian research and macroecological studies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Springer Nature and AAAS publications (2020-2024).
- Compilation of 123 datasets covering environmental, avian traits, and ecosystem data.
- Assessment of data completeness (species-level, spatial) and consistency (species lists, nominal, continuous variables).
Main Results:
- 123 datasets compiled from 90 articles, covering 12 data types.
- Species distribution and abundance data are most frequently used and highly complete.
- Continuous variables show high consistency; nominal variables and species lists show moderate consistency.
Conclusions:
- High completeness of species-level and spatial data is noted.
- Reproductive and behavioral datasets require supplementation due to lower integrity.
- Taxonomic data reconciliation is vital for ensuring global avian data consistency.
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