Biology subjects

Meeus, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Meeus, S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Can data mining from various internet platforms systematically accelerate detection of alien species invasions across the EU?

Invasive alien species (IAS) expansions are increasingly impacting the biodiversity and economy of Europe. To more effectively allocate the limited resources available for their management, it is pertinent to accelerate detection of IAS spread and distribution. One largely untapped secondary data source showing much potential lies in the automated tracking of internet activity such as IAS search intensity or mentions across different internet platforms. In this study, we tested if internet activity increases systematically when IAS expand into new EU countries utilizing the combined data of 88 invasive species from various internet platforms. In total, 14 internet platforms were screened and evaluated based on their database accessibility, mined data quality and utility for systematic IAS expansion tracking. We found that the procedure to obtain researcher access to minimal data required for IAS tracking (i.e., information about location, time and place) varies widely across platforms, and is particularly difficult without incurring significant costs for many of the larger ones (X, Google and Tiktok). From the explored species, more charismatic species (i.e., mammals) overall gained more online traction than more cryptic ones (i.e., plants), though online activity of the first proved a worse representation of real-world occurrence patterns. Moreover, while the final five selected internet platforms showed increased activity surrounding the year of invasion in many of the explored invasion scenarios (particularly Wikipedia and Facebook), inconsistencies between species groups, trends per platform and the large variability in data quality currently still hampers systematic integration of such data into existing databases. We conclude that combining IAS activity data from various internet platforms shows potential to accelerate IAS expansion detection across the EU (especially for fish, crustaceans, reptiles, birds and plants). However, incorporation in automated early warning systems is currently hampered by variable data quality, limited researcher access to online data and the few open, accurate and generalizable species classification algorithms with API access.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Balancing the supply and demand for taxonomy: an analysis of European taxonomic capacity and policy needs.

Taxonomy is a cornerstone of biological science and essential to biodiversity policy, yet it faces persistent structural challenges collectively known as the "taxonomic impediment". These include limited capacity, uneven geographic and taxonomic coverage, and a disconnect between the supply of expertise and its societal demand. In this study, we present a meta-research analysis of taxonomic activity in Europe over the past decade, drawing on publication metadata from OpenAlex, Wikidata, and GBIF. Using an open and reproducible workflow, we identify more than 31,000 authors affiliated with European institutions who have contributed to taxonomic publications, and we assess their taxonomic and institutional distribution. We explore how this supply of expertise compares with the kinds of demands that arise from European biodiversity policy, including legally binding instruments such as the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, as well as strategic initiatives focused on invasive alien species, crop wild relatives, and species of conservation concern. Our results highlight clear imbalances in capacity across taxonomic groups and regions, with some politically and ecologically significant taxa receiving comparatively little attention. This work illustrates how openly available data can be used to evaluate taxonomic capacity and its alignment with policy needs, and it provides a framework for others to adopt in support of more strategic planning and investment in taxonomy.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

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

SummaryO_LIThis 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. C_LIO_LIWe 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. C_LIO_LISpecimens 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. C_LIO_LIThe 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, Open Data alone are insufficient. C_LI Societal Impact StatementDigital biodiversity data from herbaria and museums hold significant potential for nature conservation in the Global South, yet many regions, like Montserrat and the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, are, for multiple reasons, unable to fully leverage this information. This lack of skills and resources limits local conservation efforts, showing the need for more investment in training, facilities, and expertise. Although past funding has helped improve coordination and build skills, our findings show that more work is needed to make sure conservation in these biodiverse areas can continue in the long term.

scientific communication and education↗