Biosecurity Research Articles
Toward a global repository of insect traits (GRIT)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-5-2025
Journal Title
Insect Conservation and Diversity
ISSN
Online ISSN:1752-4598, Print ISSN:1752-458X
Keywords
Arthropoda, data sharing, ecosystem services, entomology, functional diversity, functional ecology, functional traits, invertebrates, open data, software development
Disciplines
Biodiversity | Entomology | Other Animal Sciences
Abstract
- The pace of biodiversity loss outstrips our ability to conserve Earth's most diverse group of named species—the insects (Arthropoda: Insecta). We increasingly rely on trait-based metrics to understand how insects respond to and affect their environment. Traits provide insights that aid conservation assessment and planning. Yet, we lack a centralised trait database for insects, hampering insights that could inform ecological research and conservation management planning.
- We propose the creation of the Global Repository of Insect Traits (GRIT). GRIT will cover all world regions, realms and insect taxa. It will provide open and FAIR access to comprehensive trait data compiled from both currently available and future datasets. This proposal is an open call for all to join a global network of collaborators in a collective effort to accelerate the compilation of insect trait data and increase the transparency of data sharing and accessibility in the field.
- We envision the use of state-of-the-art methods in trait acquisition and imputation to build computational tools that can extract and validate trait data from unstructured text, accelerating information availability by orders of magnitude. We anticipate the development of analytical tools that contribute to a governance structure, ensuring the long-term success of the database and extraction tools.
- Finally, we outline future opportunities and identify several research questions that could be readily answered once data are assembled. Recognising the numerous challenges inherent in this project, we invite a robust discussion on strategies to effectively address obstacles.
Recommended Citation
Cardoso, P., Baker, N.J., Boieiro, M., Bonte, D., Borges, P.A.V., Braby, M.F. et al. (2025) Toward a global repository of insect traits (GRIT). Insect Conservation and Diversity, 1–15. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.70035
