Towards a global repository of insect traits (GRIT)

Authors: CARDOSO, PEDRO - University Of Lisbon; BAKER, NATHAN - State Scientific Institute Nature Research Centre; BIOEIRO, MARIO - University Of Lisbon; BONTE, DRIES - Ghent University; BORGES, PAULO - The University Of The Azores; BRANCO, VASCO - University Of Lisbon; CHOBANOV, DRAGAN - Bulgarian Academy Of Sciences; CORREIA, LUIS - The Australian National Insect Collection; DALTON, DANIEL - Carinthia University Of Applied Sciences; Roeder, Karl

Submitted to: Insect Conservation and Diversity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2025
Publication Date: 11/5/2025
Citation: Cardoso, P., Baker, N.J., Bioeiro, M., Bonte, D., Borges, P.A., Branco, V., Chobanov, D., Correia, L., Dalton, D., Roeder, K.A., et al. 2025. Towards a global repository of insect traits (GRIT). Insect Conservation and Diversity. p. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.70035.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.70035

Interpretive Summary: We increasingly rely on trait-based measures to understand how groups of insects respond to and act upon their environment. Yet, insects still lack a centralized trait database, partly due to the difficulty in acquiring and making available such data without appropriate computational platforms and tools. We propose the creation of the Global Repository of Insect Traits (GRIT). GRIT will cover all world regions, realms, and insect taxa, providing comprehensive trait data compiled from both currently available and novel datasets. This is an open call for all to join a global network of collaborators in a collective effort that intends to change the way insect trait-based research is performed. We will use state of the art methods in trait acquisition and build computational tools to automatically extract and validate trait data from unstructured text, accelerating the availability of information by orders of magnitude. We will also develop tools to facilitate data compilation and analysis and propose a governance structure to ensure the long-term success of the database and tools. Finally, we outline future opportunities, identifying several research questions that could be readily answered with the data to be compiled. Recognizing the numerous challenges inherent in this project, we invite a robust discussion on strategies to effectively address these obstacles.

Technical Abstract: 1. The pace of biodiversity loss is outstripping our ability to conserve Earth’s most diverse group of named species: insects (Arthropoda, Insecta). We increasingly rely on trait-based measures to understand how groups of insects respond to and impact their environment, traits being important proxies for conservation assessment and planning. Yet, insects still lack a centralized trait database, partly due to the difficulty in acquiring and making available such data without appropriate computational platforms and tools. 2. We propose the creation of the Global Repository of Insect Traits (GRIT). GRIT will cover all world regions, realms, and insect taxa; and provide open and FAIR access to comprehensive trait data compiled from both currently available and novel datasets. This is an open call for all to join a global network of collaborators in a collective effort intended to change the way insect trait-based research is performed. 3. We will use state of the art methods in trait acquisition and imputation and build computational tools to automatically extract and validate trait data from unstructured text, accelerating information availability by orders of magnitude. We will also develop tools to facilitate data compilation and analysis, and propose a governance structure to ensure the long-term success of the database and tools. 4. Finally, we outline future opportunities and identify several research questions that could be readily answered with the data to be compiled. Recognizing the numerous challenges inherent in this project, we invite a robust discussion on strategies to effectively address these obstacles.