Widespread sampling biases in herbaria revealed from large-scale digitization

Abstract

O_LINon-random collecting practices may bias conclusions drawn from analyses of herbarium records. Recent efforts to fully digitize and mobilize regional floras offer a timely opportunity to assess commonalities and differences in herbarium sampling biases.\nC_LIO_LIWe determined spatial, temporal, trait, phylogenetic, and collector biases in [~]5 million herbarium records, representing three of the most complete digitized floras of the world: Australia (AU), South Africa (SA), and New England (NE).\nC_LIO_LIWe identified numerous shared and unique biases among these regions. Shared biases included specimens i) collected close to roads and herbaria; ii) collected more frequently during spring; iii) of threatened species collected less frequently; and iv) of close relatives collected in similar numbers. Regional differences included i) over-representation of graminoids in SA and AU and of annuals in AU; and ii) peak collection during the 1910s in NE, 1980s in SA, and 1990s in AU. Finally, in all regions, a disproportionately large percentage of specimens were collected by a few individuals. These mega-collectors, and their associated preferences and idiosyncrasies, may have shaped patterns of collection bias via founder effects.\nC_LIO_LIStudies using herbarium collections should account for sampling biases and future collecting efforts should avoid compounding these biases.\nC_LI