The Global Biogeography Initiative

Biogeography is inherently a search for patterns and processes that link the local occurrences of organisms (often, but not solely, species [Mishler, 2023]) with local, regional global drivers their dynamics. Increasingly, such information critical informing biodiversity conservation management decisions in current period extreme change. One might expect, therefore, biogeography should bring perspective from diverse set practitioners working locally collaborating globally. However, hindered by uneven distribution biogeographical studies biogeographers themselves, which leads to systematically biased gaps data availability (e.g. see maps ignorance; Rocchini et al., 2011) shortfalls knowledge (Hortal 2015). While these are increasingly obvious—skimming just this journal's pages will quickly illustrate published papers representative full spatial diversity important questions, nor people who ask them—our ability fill remains limited because opportunity resources also unevenly distributed. Addressing an essential consideration future biogeography. Self-evidently, we cannot understand how world has changed or predict it change if our sampling geographically, taxonomically otherwise biased, currently case (Vasconcelos, 2023). Moreover, addressing systematic biases potential unearth substantial epistemological benefits (Fehr, 2011). More research understudied areas systems both increase globally enrich understanding processes; perspectives generate new paradigms. The Journal (JBI) long-standing commitment intellectual pluralism (Dawson 2023; Linder, 2016; Watts, 1974; Whittaker, 2005) and, aforementioned reasons, marked its 50th anniversary announcing initiative Global Biogeography, seeks better represent geographical This began virtual issue on compiling most-cited JBI's back-catalogue were conducted countries around employed at institutions those same countries. principles underwrite recurring ‘Global Biogeography’ section debuting issue. Our intention raise profile novel underrepresented as areas, taxa density intensity reveals intimate understanding. Such may span continuity and/or temporal scales difficult acquire through occasional visits collection, promotes integration, mere inference, pattern process. require stronger coupling scientific Indigenous (sensu Petzold al. 2020; e.g., Contributions Molecular Ecology), rethinking collaborations mutual beyond embracing generation transfer across regions (e.g., Carroll 2021). It worth noting while work most easily address largest poorly covered parts world, could benefit being done doorsteps prestigious institutions. be clear, however, highlighting more publications only tip iceberg: much else precedes publication needs enhancement—for example, inclusive epistemic communities, training resources—while changing climate publishing continues problems 2019; McGill 2018; Peterson 2019). suite issues attention extends far scope editorial, highlight four key challenges intersection pre-publication environment examples. open access certain merits, ‘flipping’ subscription based ‘hybrid’ journals ‘gold’ OA appears imminent (Rieseberg 2023), associated Article Processing Charges (APCs) means many nations, low- high-income minority cases funds available, they present startling trade-offs even researchers middle-income economies. For APC ~$2000 (i.e. mean 2022 according OpenAPC) would displace 5 months graduate student salary India, over 2 postdoc 6 level bursary South Africa, roughly equivalent month's mid-career researcher America Africa. Higher APCs can seem detached reality: ~$5 k authors publish one paper Biogeography) less panoply second tier ‘Nature’ journals) build house-extension Africa (Dawson, publishers offer waivers, waivers usually articles lead author low-income country (as per World Bank classification GDP) generates very few requests marginalizing larger cadre economies (Kwon, 2022); also, experience, have been rejected. Thus, practice, number offered miniscule fraction published. Likewise, ‘transformational deals’ promoted large for-profit publishers, cover often within country, typically ones. barriers created Evol Appl, Smith 2022) therefore shunt aspiring into lower-profile where lower visibility attract fewer citations. Changes towards OA, environment, exacerbate kinds inequity aims redress. Inequities funding (such pay OA) consequences profile) affect other opportunity. chances provided affluent richer nations—for bigger projects, latest techniques, higher work, international fellowships, etc.—mean options students highly unequal. Many talented emigrate, least temporarily, permanently. ‘brain drain’ indirect create negative feedback loop, widening gap between ones due depletion expertise. stay, educational opportunities reduced. Even collaborative grants funded national partner agencies, providing collaborators (LMI) Insufficient then hinders fully pursue questions own compounded teaching service loads (among countries). LMI countries, substantially language. English fluency Latin America, impacts writing since books, online courses predominantly English. problem intensifying reduced support provide editorial teams, including copyediting technical editing during production, introducing ‘language services’ wherein authors—who already find prohibitive—are asked extra publisher edit language pre-submission revisions. Ad hoc analyses recent submissions show some evidence slightly rejection rates ‘global south’ average revisions prior acceptance, causes language, leaving strong impression non-native added burdens (Rodríguez Mega, To equitable, bridge offering free services funding, compound apparent mismatch ranked journals, emphasis placed datasets narratives. Studies small misinterpreted provincial: readers reviewers unfamiliar place system mistakenly interpret them idiosyncratic lacking broader relevance. similarly marginalized despite But arises quite local—adaptation, ecological interactions, habitat heterogeneity so on—and interested processes, frequencies variations. collection using established, rather than novel, tools misconstrued anachronistic poor quality undervalued journals. What important, study any grain, extent approach assessed relevant context, methods able answer posed, novelty relevance relative conceptual, empirical theoretical In newer always better: there urgent need detailed life-history studies. Afterall, life blood ‘big data’ meta-analyses large-scale patterns. goal special section, (1) immediately quantity journal (2) make explicit greater efforts points pipeline: ranging earliest stages training, communities early career beyond, manuscript preparation, equitable options. JBI made progress areas—introducing award establishing Editorial Academy, making well achievements Meynard 2021; statement, 2021), increasing breadth board history reflecting dynamic nature discipline rapidly expanding scope—but done. Particularly, led rendered ineffective continue commoditize publication. meet community's aspirations, symbiotic orientation desperately needed. no additional cost; actively swathe Publishers start re-investing divesting partners. seed, programme reshape rejuvenate By explicitly emphasizing outward looking strategy, expect legacy pluralistic premier ground-breaking help define field supporting community. necessarily multi-year initiative, asserts capacity all inclusion teams design conduct research—at writing—to team's advocate process best can. Doing part building looks forward next 50 years performed needed descriptions answers planet transition. We dedicate memory Judith Masters whose positive influence helped shape Initiative. Thank you members informative discussions related matters years. Crid Fraser, Jon Sadler Fabricio Villalobos helpful comments encouragement penultimate version. conflicts interest; note senior editors Gillespie) receive honoraria John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. No generated manuscript. Biogeography. Author Contributions: All co-conceived, co-wrote, co-edited editorial.