Title Knowing to conserve: the case of neotropical birds, endemic and endangered
neotropical birds
The Neotropical region is home to around 258 species of endemic and endangered wild birds, and with each assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the list has grown. The IUCN indicates the knowledge that is needed to improve the conservation status of species. However, scientific research in the tropical region is limited by several factors. Thus, we seek to evaluate the relationship between the knowledge produced and the knowledge necessary for the conservation of these species. For this, we have extracted the information from the databases of BirdLife International and IUCN RedList. Scientific production between 1870 and 2019, in the form of published documents, was identified using the SCOPUS bibliometric database. Data were analyzed using dynamic spreadsheets in Excel@ and the software R. We identified 657 types of documents without repetition. Scientific production until 1995 was less than two publications per year, increasing in subsequent years. Only 31 species were responsible for more than 50% of the indexed studies and, in contrast, 65 species were not associated with any indexed document. Using the keywords pointed out in the documents, the topics most frequently studied were: Evolution (n = 82), Genetics (n = 80), Behavior (n = 78), Taxonomy (n = 74), Conservation (n = 64) , Reproduction (n = 64), Distribution (n = 57), Management (n = 55), Morphology (n = 53) and Population (n = 48). In the actions proposed by IUCN, population studies (16.42%), studies to clarify the distribution (14.34%), actions aimed at protecting areas, monitoring and inspection (13.11%), expansion or creation of new Conservation Units (10.66%), research on ecological requirements (9.06%) and environmental education (4.62%). The threats most cited by the IUCN were habitat loss and degradation (54.34%), hunting (7.99%), illegal trade (5.02%), invasive alien species (5.02%), climate change (4 , 57%), disturbances caused by cattle (4.57%), impacts of pesticide use (4.11%) and the impact of parasites (3.20%). We conclude that the relationship between the knowledge produced and the knowledge indicated by IUCN are coherent in some topics, but still focused on a few species. Most lack basic knowledge about their ecology and the current situation of the populations. Therefore, it is urgent to direct resources and scientific attention to study topics that support a more efficient conservation process.