Shortfalls in our understanding of the causes and consequences of functional and phylogenetic variation of freshwater communities across continents

Freshwater ecosystems harbour a disproportionately high biodiversity relative to their area, being also one of the most threatened ecosystem types worldwide. However, our capacity to design evidence-based conservation plans for this realm is restricted by all biodiversity shortfalls that have been recognized so far. In this context, the paucity of comparable field data and information on traits and phylogenies of freshwater organisms should be emphasized. Here, we highlight how increased knowledge could be gained and where we should aim at in research on the functional and phylogenetic features of freshwater communities. First, attempts to combine datasets from different sources should pay careful attention to data harmonization. Second, more effort should be focused on natural history observations on species habitats and life histories, providing the backbone of infor-mation for multi-trait databases. Third, fully resolved phylogenies would be required for deciphering the evolutionary relationships of freshwater organisms. Provided that these three hurdles can be overcome, con-ducting studies of local freshwater communities across continental spatial extents would pave the way for mapping functionally important ecosystems and evolutionarily valuable areas for the conservation of freshwater organisms and their habitats.

Automated summary

Freshwater ecosystems have a high biodiversity and are under significant threat worldwide. However, our ability to design evidence-based conservation plans for this realm is limited due to biodiversity shortfalls, such as the lack of comparable field data and information on traits and phylogenies of freshwater organisms. To address this, efforts should be made to harmonize data from different sources, gather natural history observations, and establish fully resolved phylogenies. By overcoming these hurdles, we can map important ecosystems and valuable areas for the conservation of freshwater organisms and their habitats.