3.2 Global distribution of tracking studies
Overall, 49 countries across six continents are represented in the 162
studies. Studies were not evenly distributed among countries, and 51
studies were conducted in just four countries: Costa Rica (9% of
studies), Brazil (8%), USA (8%) and Panama (6%) (Fig 2). More studies
were conducted in tropical and sub-tropical than in temperate regions;
this is illustrated in the two most well studied taxonomic groups birds
(studies in tropical/sub-tropical regions 64% vs. temperate 36%) and
mammals (tropical/sub-tropical regions 83% vs. temperate 17%).
The number of studies conducted within, and outside protected areas,
varied by region. The percentage of studies conducted within protected
areas was highest in Central America and lowest in Europe (see
Supplementary Material 1; Figure 2). This is reflected in the research
sites used in Central American studies; nine studies from Panama and 13
studies from Costa Rica were in protected areas. The proportion of
studies that addressed the ability of species to disperse seeds also
differed among regions. For example, 50% of all tracking studies were
conducted in the Americas but only 27% of all seed dispersal studies
(see Supplementary Material 1; Figure 2).