Publication bias impacts on effect size, statistical power, and magnitude (Type M) and sign (Type S) errors in ecology and evolutionary biology

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: April 3, 2023

Abstract Collaborative efforts to directly replicate empirical studies in the medical and social sciences have revealed alarmingly low rates of replicability, a phenomenon dubbed ‘replication crisis’. Poor replicability has spurred cultural changes targeted at improving reliability these disciplines. Given absence equivalent replication projects ecology evolutionary biology, two inter-related indicators offer opportunity retrospectively assess replicability: publication bias statistical power. This registered report assesses prevalence severity small-study (i.e., smaller reporting larger effect sizes) decline effects sizes decreasing over time) across biology using 87 meta-analyses comprising 4,250 primary 17,638 sizes. Further, we estimate how might distort estimation sizes, power, errors magnitude (Type M or exaggeration ratio) sign S). We show strong evidence for pervasiveness both evolution. There was widespread that resulted meta-analytic means being over-estimated by (at least) 0.12 standard deviations. The distorted confidence results, with 66% initially statistically significant becoming non-significant after correcting bias. Ecological consistently had power (15%) 4-fold on average error = 4.4). Notably, reduced from 23% 15% increased type 2.7 4.4 because it creates non-random sample size evidence. S error) 5% 8% Our research provides clear many published ecological findings are inflated. results highlight importance designing high-power (e.g., via collaborative team science), promoting encouraging studies, testing meta-analyses, adopting open transparent practices, such as (pre)registration, data- code-sharing, reporting.

Language: Английский

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Hidden impacts of ocean warming and acidification on biological responses of marine animals revealed through meta-analysis

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 3, 2024

Conflicting results remain on the impacts of climate change marine organisms, hindering our capacity to predict future state ecosystems. To account for species-specific responses and ambiguous relation most metrics fitness, we develop a meta-analytical approach based deviation from reference values (absolute change) complement meta-analyses directional (relative) changes in responses. Using this approach, evaluate fish invertebrates warming acidification. We find that drivers induce calcification, survival, metabolism, significant deviations twice as many biological responses, including physiology, reproduction, behavior, development. Widespread are detected even under moderate intensity levels acidification, while mostly limited more severe levels. Because such may result ecological shifts impacting ecosystem structures processes, suggest will likely have stronger than those previously predicted alone.

Language: Английский

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Reasons to Be Skeptical about Sentience and Pain in Fishes and Aquatic Invertebrates

Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(1), P. 127 - 150

Published: Oct. 4, 2023

The welfare of fishes and aquatic invertebrates is important, several jurisdictions have included these taxa under regulation in recent years. Regulation requires use scientifically validated criteria. This why applying Mertonian skepticism toward claims for sentience pain sound prudent, particularly when those are used to justify legislation regulating the taxa. Enacting without strong scientific evidence a societal political choice that risks creating interpretational problems as well major policy challenges, including potential generate significant unintended consequences. In contrast, more rigorous science-based approach organisms based on verified, measurable endpoints likely result "win-win" scenarios minimize risk negative impacts all stakeholders, fish invertebrates. authors identify supporters animal welfare, emphasize this issue not about choosing between no invertebrates, but rather ensure important decisions their robust evidence. These ten reasons delivered spirit organized orient legislators, decision makers community, alert them need maintain high evidential bar any operational indicators animals, mandated by legislation. Moving forward, maintaining highest standards vitally order protect only also global food security humans.

Language: Английский

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Plant neighbourhood diversity effects on leaf traits: A meta‐analysis

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 37(12), P. 3150 - 3163

Published: Sept. 29, 2023

Abstract Leaf traits often vary with plant neighbourhood composition, which in turn may mediate susceptibility to herbivory. However, it is unknown whether there are any common patterns of change leaf trait expression response diversity, and these responses confer increased resistance or herbivores. We used meta‐analysis combine data from 43 studies that examined the influence diversity on eight physical chemical could affect All apart thickness were highly plastic exhibited significant differences between monocultures species mixtures, but direction effect was variable. toughness only displayed a decrease whereas specific area (SLA) nitrogen both marginally mixtures. The magnitude independent density phylogenetic changes SLA correlated positively richness. also significantly experimental studies, not observational while neighbourhoods containing nitrogen‐fixers associated reduced phenolics. When over‐represented Betula pendula removed analysis, became nonsignificant, phenolics diverse composed mature trees, mixtures across all studies. Increases reductions herbivory, although some cases, reverse occurs, plants growing found suffer greater herbivory than those monocultures. This study offers potential explanation for latter phenomenon, as our results show certain cases lead quality, promote rates Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Paths towards greater consensus building in experimental biology

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 225(Suppl_1)

Published: March 8, 2022

ABSTRACT In a recent editorial, the Editors-in-Chief of Journal Experimental Biology argued that consensus building, data sharing, and better integration across disciplines are needed to address urgent scientific challenges posed by climate change. We agree expand on importance cross-disciplinary transparency improve building advance change research in experimental biology. investigated reproducible practices biology through review open analysis code associated with empirical studies three debated paradigms for unrelated published leading journals comparative physiology behavioural ecology over last 10 years. Nineteen per cent had data, 3.2% code. Similarly, 12.1% we examined 3.1% Previous indicates only 50% shared datasets complete re-usable, suggesting fewer than 10% have usable data. Encouragingly, our results indicate increasing time, sharing rates some reaching 75% Rigorous is key understanding mechanisms which affects organisms, ultimately promotes evidence-based conservation policy practice. argue greater adoption science practices, particular focus FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable) code, represents much-needed paradigm shift towards improved transparency, integration, maximize contributions biologists addressing impacts environmental living organisms.

Language: Английский

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Decline effects are rare in ecology

Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 103(6)

Published: March 18, 2022

The scientific evidence base on any given topic changes over time as more studies are published. Currently, there is widespread concern about nonrandom, directional in the associated with many topics. In particular, if finding large effects (e.g., differences between treatment and control means) tend to get published quickly, while small slowly, net result will be a decrease estimated magnitude of mean effect size, known "decline effect." If decline common, then literature provide biased misleading guide management decisions, allocation future research effort. We compiled data from 466 meta-analyses ecology look for effects. found that rare. Only ~5% ecological truly exhibit change size arising some reason other than random chance, usually but not always direction decline. Most apparent attributable regression mean, consistent primary being order respect sizes they report. Our results good news: exception rule ecology. Identifying rectifying rare cases true remains an important task, ecologists should overgeneralize anecdotal reports

Language: Английский

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Becoming nose‐blind—Climate change impacts on chemical communication

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(15), P. 4495 - 4505

Published: May 16, 2022

Chemical communication via infochemicals plays a pivotal role in ecological interactions, allowing organisms to sense their environment, locate predators, food, habitats, or mates. A growing number of studies suggest that climate change-associated stressors can modify these chemically mediated causing info-disruption scales up the ecosystem level. However, our understanding underlying mechanisms is scarce. Evidenced by range examples, we illustrate this opinion piece change affects different realms similar patterns, from molecular ecosystem-wide levels. We assess importance for terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems propose systematic approach address highlighted knowledge gaps cross-disciplinary research avenues.

Language: Английский

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Behavioural responses of fishes to anthropogenic disturbances: Adaptive value and ecological consequences

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 103(4), P. 773 - 783

Published: Jan. 17, 2023

Aquatic ecosystems are changing at an accelerating rate because of human activities. The changes alter the abundance and distribution fishes, with potential consequences for ecosystem structure function. Behavioural responses often underlie these in population dynamics, such as altered habitat choice or foraging activity. Here, we present a framework understanding how why behaviour is affected by activities behavioural turn influence higher ecological levels. We further review literature to assess state field identify gaps our knowledge. begin discussing factors that determine individual responds change environment whether response adaptive not. In particular, explain importance evolutionary history species. then search current knowledge impact disturbances on fishes ecosystems. reveals much attention has been directed but worryingly little known about populations, communities Yet, can have profound given underly many, if not most, species interactions. Thus, more should be paid mechanisms pathways through which Such information needed ultimate effects biodiversity function stability aquatic

Language: Английский

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Bioassay complexities—exploring challenges in aquatic chemosensory research

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 3, 2024

Chemosensory science, the study of how organisms produce and assess olfactory information, is central to our understanding interact gain information about their environment. Signaling cue identification in aquatic systems lags behind knowledge terrestrial insects due analytical challenges aqueous environments. Unambiguous, reliable, fast behavioral assays evaluate biological activity function a chemosensory are critical understand signaling enable research into ecology, evolution, threats changing Yet, range anthropomorphic assumptions made this field create additional interpret data generated. Here, we common including assumed readiness individuals respond, lack on animals’ physiological social status, pre-experimental exposure, innate or learned character responses, acclimation habituation impact animals upon own These factors lead significant variability responses bioassays, both laboratory setups. In light limited cues’ chemical structure, active concentrations samples, undetermined response thresholds, methods mitigation minimize differences between studies. We conclude that currently it nearly impossible compare results from studies undertaken different ecosystems, laboratories, time points. There an urgent need for standardization methods, recording environmental conditions, individuals’ physiology, physical, avoid conflicting contradicting when comparing Including these parameters experimental design interpretation will provide deeper communication, reduce unconscious bias studies, can help explain substantial individuality cues stress.

Language: Английский

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Effect of different temperature variations on the physiological state of catfish species: a systematic review

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 50(2), P. 413 - 434

Published: Feb. 17, 2024

Language: Английский

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