Knowledge Gaps in Odonata in the State of Pará: An Assessment Based on GBIF Records

In recent decades, open data platforms such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) have increased the availability of occurrence records, enabling large-scale assessments. However, studies in the Amazon indicate that sampling effort tends to cluster in highly accessible areas, while remote regions remain underrepresented, characterizing the so-called Wallacean deficit. The state of Pará, located within the Amazon Rainforest, is a strategic area for understanding the distribution of Odonata and identifying knowledge gaps, particularly because it shelters various protected areas. Despite the importance of Odonata as bioindicators of aquatic ecosystem integrity, the distribution of these species in the region remains poorly known. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution of Odonata records in Pará, comparing Protected Areas (PAs), Indigenous Lands (ILs), and unprotected areas to identify knowledge gaps. Records (2010–2025) were retrieved from GBIF and spatially analyzed using QGIS software. The results reveal a severe Wallacean deficit for the group in the state: 71.54% of the 130 sampling cells had no records. Furthermore, 83.4% of the 761 records are located outside protected areas, while only 16.2% are within Protected Areas and 0.4% in Indigenous Lands. The fact that these areas remain undersampled is likely due to the concentration of sampling effort near research centers and logistical access difficulties. Funding expeditions and strengthening collaborative initiatives between institutions and indigenous peoples are crucial strategies to reduce these gaps. This cooperation must occur in an equitable, decolonial manner, respecting different knowledge systems, thereby supporting more representative inventories and strengthening biodiversity conservation planning in the Amazon.