Monash Scientists Propose New Framework to Protect Tropical
Researchers from Monash University propose a global strategy to address critical data gaps in tropical insect conservation, emphasizing local knowledge and
More than 80 percent of the world's insect species live in the tropics, yet conservation efforts are failing them due to a severe lack of data. A new framework from Monash University researchers aims to close this gap by combining scientific studies with museum collections, local expertise, citizen science, and social media records.
Dr. Shawan Chowdhury, head of the Global Change Ecology Lab at Monash University's School of Biological Sciences, led the international study published in BioScience. The team identified four major barriers to protecting tropical insects: poor global visibility of existing research, severe data gaps, inadequate scientific infrastructure, and too little conservation action. Dr. Chowdhury stated that insects are fundamental to ecosystems and food production but remain dramatically underrepresented in biodiversity monitoring and policy.
The Data Imbalance in Insect Research
Insects are the most diverse animal group, with an estimated 14 to 30 million species, most undocumented. They pollinate over 80 percent of wild plants and serve as food for 60 percent of bird species. Despite their importance, most scientific knowledge for conservation comes from temperate regions, which host only about 20 percent of insect diversity. The imbalance in records is stark. Nearly 26 percent of insect distribution data in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility comes from the United Kingdom alone.
"More than 80 percent of insect species occur in the tropics, yet these are the very places where we have some of the biggest gaps in our knowledge," said Dr. Chowdhury. The framework recommends drawing on a broader range of information, including regional and non-English publications, museum collections, and observations shared online.
A Case Study from Bangladesh
The researchers used Bangladesh, a densely populated tropical country, to demonstrate their framework's potential. They found 111 relevant studies on butterflies in Bangladesh, but only 34 were published internationally. Most studies focused on species distribution, with just three dealing specifically with conservation.
Social media proved a valuable resource. Earlier research found Facebook contained records for 167 of 169 threatened butterfly species in Bangladesh. This suggests unconventional sources can fill major information gaps where formal databases are limited. The need for action is urgent. Of 226 butterfly species previously evaluated, only one was adequately represented within Bangladesh's protected areas.
"Bangladesh shows that a lack of conventional data does not mean we have to accept a lack of conservation action," Dr. Chowdhury said. The approach involves bringing together local knowledge, citizen science, social media, and scientific monitoring to identify where conservation is most needed.
Moving Beyond Parachute Science
The framework argues for moving away from "parachute science," where scientists from outside tropical countries treat local communities merely as data sources. Instead, it emphasizes locally led research, greater investment in regional scientific infrastructure, and fairer international partnerships. The goal is to create a system that delivers measurable conservation outcomes with local scientists and communities at the center.
"If we want global biodiversity targets to mean something, tropical insects cannot remain an afterthought," Dr. Chowdhury concluded. The study involved researchers from Australia, Bangladesh, Uganda, Hong Kong, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Italy, and India.
