Challenges and directions in analytical paleobiology

Over the last 50 years, access to new data and analytical tools has expanded the study of analytical paleobiology, contributing to innovative analyses of biodiversity dynamics over Earth's history. Despite—or even spurred by—this growing availability of resources, analytical paleobiology faces...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Paleobiology 2023-08, Vol.49 (3), p.377-393
Main Authors: Dillon, Erin M., Dunne, Emma M., Womack, Tom M., Kouvari, Miranta, Larina, Ekaterina, Claytor, Jordan Ray, Ivkić, Angelina, Juhn, Mark, Milla Carmona, Pablo S., Robson, Selina Viktor, Saha, Anwesha, Villafaña, Jaime A., Zill, Michelle E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Best practice
Best practices
Biodiversity
Careers
Collaboration
Data science
Digitization
Fossils
Geology
Interdisciplinary aspects
Mathematical analysis
ON THE RECORD
Paleobiology
Paleontology
Phylogenetics
Software
Taxonomy
Workshops
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Over the last 50 years, access to new data and analytical tools has expanded the study of analytical paleobiology, contributing to innovative analyses of biodiversity dynamics over Earth's history. Despite—or even spurred by—this growing availability of resources, analytical paleobiology faces deep-rooted obstacles that stem from the need for more equitable access to data and best practices to guide analyses of the fossil record. Recent progress has been accelerated by a collective push toward more collaborative, interdisciplinary, and open science, especially by early-career researchers. Here, we survey four challenges facing analytical paleobiology from an early-career perspective: (1) accounting for biases when interpreting the fossil record; (2) integrating fossil and modern biodiversity data; (3) building data science skills; and (4) increasing data accessibility and equity. We discuss recent efforts to address each challenge, highlight persisting barriers, and identify tools that have advanced analytical work. Given the inherent linkages between these challenges, we encourage discourse across disciplines to find common solutions. We also affirm the need for systemic changes that reevaluate how we conduct and share paleobiological research.
ISSN:0094-8373
1938-5331
DOI:10.1017/pab.2023.3