The state of European research in tropical biology

Global North research institutions have significantly contributed to the knowledge of tropical ecosystems, but their commitment to biological research in the tropics differs enormously between individual countries. We show that European nations that share a language, cultural affinities and/or retain social and political links with tropical countries (i.e. have an overseas history) make a larger contribution to tropical biological research. However, exceptions to this pattern demonstrate how science policy agendas can skew the capacity of countries to conduct biological research in the tropics. We conclude that some countries could make a far more important contribution to tropical biological knowledge, but for this to materialize, greater commitment by a country’s scientific community is needed, along with better financial and intellectual support from its public administrations.

全球北方（Global North）研究机构对热带生态系统的认知作出了显著贡献，但各国针对热带地区生物学研究的投入力度差异悬殊。本研究表明，与热带国家共享语言、具备文化亲缘关系，且/或保留与热带国家的社会政治联结（即拥有海外交往历史）的欧洲国家，在热带生物学研究领域的贡献更为突出。然而，这一规律的例外案例也揭示了科学政策议程会如何扭曲各国在热带地区开展生物学研究的能力。本研究最终得出结论：部分国家本可在热带生物认知领域作出更为重要的贡献，但要实现这一目标，既需要该国科学界投入更多精力，也需要其公共行政部门提供更为充足的财政与学术支持。