Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41716574›Full record

ArticleEcology and evolution2026

Mapping Biodiversity Through Time and Space: Patterns and Drivers of Fabaceae Collection in Mozambique.

Miguel Brilhante, Iain Darbyshire, Maria Cristina Duarte, Margarida Moldão, Salomão Bandeira, Maria M Romeiras

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Ecology and evolution, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Miguel BrilhanteLinking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA) Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal.
Iain DarbyshireRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond UK.
Maria Cristina DuarteCentre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C) and Change-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal.
Margarida MoldãoLinking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA) Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal.
Salomão BandeiraDepartment of Biological Sciences Eduardo Mondlane University Maputo Mozambique.
Maria M RomeirasLinking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA) Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9373-6302

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Despite the extensive diversity of African flora, significant gaps remain in taxonomic research and biodiversity conservation, including under-sampling in highly diverse regions, a shortage of taxonomic expertise, limited financial resources and delays in species descriptions. Type specimens act as effective proxies for tracking the discovery and description of species, providing a historical baseline for assessing taxonomic effort and our understanding of biodiversity. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of Fabaceae species collected in Mozambique, one of the most diverse and ecologically important plant families in the region. It offers new insights into the taxonomic, spatial and temporal patterns shaping current botanical knowledge through an analysis of Fabaceae type specimens collected in Mozambique. We identified 273 type specimens, including 126 recognised taxa, with a notable proportion of endemism (44 strict-endemic and 18 near-endemic taxa) and a predominance of woody growth forms. Nearly 40% of these taxa lack IUCN conservation assessments, highlighting significant information gaps. The findings reveal that collection activity peaked during colonial botanical initiatives, driven by a small group of prolific collectors and influenced by spatial biases towards southern and central provinces. Using generalised linear modelling, we demonstrate that collection locations were significantly affected by elevation, slope, land cover and proximity to roads and harbours, reflecting the interaction between biogeographic patterns and accessibility. By identifying these historical and geographic biases, our study deepens understanding of Mozambique's botanical heritage and provides a crucial baseline for future floristic and conservation efforts in underexplored regions. Furthermore, this research underscores the vital role of herbarium type specimens as scientific resources supporting taxonomic research and conservation planning, emphasising the importance of preserving and digitising these collections to enhance their accessibility and utility.

Indexed as

botanical explorationcollection biasEast African floraherbarium recordsLeguminosaespecies discoverytype specimens

Identifiers

PMID41716574
PMCPMC12912884

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.