Data that can be used to monitor biodiversity through time are essential for conservation and management. The reef-forming worm, Sabellaria alveolata (L. 1767) is currently classed as ‘Data deficient’ due to an imbalance in the spread of data on its distribution. Little is known about the distribution of this species around Ireland. Using data archaeology, we collated past and present distribution records and discovered that S. alveolata has a discontinuous distribution with large gaps in distribution. Many regions lack data and should be targeted for sampling. Biodiversity surveys revealed that S. alveolata supported diverse epibiotic algal communities. Retrograding (declining) reefs supported greater infaunal diversity than prograding (growing) reefs or sand, suggesting that S. alveolata is a dynamic ecosystem engineer that has a lasting legacy effect. Similar research should be carried out for other data deficient species, habitats and regions. Such data are invaluable resources for management and conservation.

可用于长期监测生物多样性的数据对于保护和管理至关重要。由于形成分布的数据不平衡，形成珊瑚礁的蠕形蠕虫Sabellaria alveolata（L. 1767）目前被归类为“数据不足”。关于该物种在爱尔兰各地的分布知之甚少。使用数据考古学，我们整理了过去和现在的分布记录，发现S. alveolata具有不连续的分布，分布差异很大。许多地区缺乏数据，应该作为抽样目标。生物多样性调查表明，S。alveolata支持各种表观生物藻类社区。倒退（下降）的珊瑚礁比倒退（生长）的珊瑚礁或沙子支持更大的非生物多样性，这表明S. alveolata是一个具有持久遗产效应的动态生态系统工程师。应该针对其他数据不足的物种，栖息地和地区进行类似的研究。这些数据是用于管理和保护的宝贵资源。