Dataset from a meta-analytical review of species richness studied in elevational gradients worldwide

Aim: This dataset supported a study wherein we used a meta-analytical review to answer why patterns of species-richness in elevation gradients remain elusive, a long-standing, central but contentious macroecological and biogeographical question. Location: Global elevation gradients. Taxon: Major terrestrial taxa (invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants). Methods: We tested the effect of elevation on species richness using multilevel mixed-effects meta-analytical models. Data from 127 studies spawning almost one century of research were integrated to test the effect of elevation across distinct 1) SRE models, 2) quality of primary data (e.g., mountain sampling coverage), 3) biogeographic realms, 4) studied taxa, and 5) organism mobility.