View source for File:Figure 2.29 - Residual of regression of bivalve species richness against sampling effort, from SOMBASE.png

Large-scale circum-Antarctic depiction and analysis of semi-standardized biodiversity-datasets is possible for the first time using databases that contain information from various sources, historical and modern. In this example, from the SOMBASE database (Griffiths et al., 2003<ref name="Griffiths et al, 2003">Griffiths, H.J., Linse, K. and Crame, J.A. 2003. SOMBASE &ndash; Southern Ocean Mollusc Database: a tool for biogeographic analysis in diversity and ecology, ''Organisms Diversity and Evolution'', '''3''', 207-213.</ref>), species richness of bivalves were plotted against sampling effort (number of sampling sites) and are shown as the residual values from this regression. Red/orange indicate species richness above the mean, green/blue values below the mean; grey areas: no representative data. This example shows the high spatial heterogeneity obviously shaped by ecological conditions and being of high relevance for predictions of climate change impact and natural conservation strategies.
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