Quantitative evidence synthesis: a practical guide on meta-analysis, meta-regression, and publication bias tests for environmental sciences

Environmental Evidence, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 12(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 24, 2023

Meta-analysis is a quantitative way of synthesizing results from multiple studies to obtain reliable evidence an intervention or phenomenon. Indeed, increasing number meta-analyses are conducted in environmental sciences, and resulting meta-analytic often used policies decision-making. We survey recent sciences found poor standards current practice reporting. For example, only ~ 40% the 73 reviewed reported heterogeneity (variation among effect sizes beyond sampling error), publication bias was assessed fewer than half. Furthermore, although almost all had originating same studies, non-independence considered half meta-analyses. To improve implementation meta-analysis we here outline practical guidance for conducting sciences. describe key concepts size detail procedures fitting multilevel meta-regression models performing associated tests. demonstrate clear need scientists embrace models, which explicitly model dependence sizes, rather commonly random-effects models. Further, discuss how reporting visual presentations can be much improved by following guidelines such as PRISMA-EcoEvo (Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses Ecology Evolutionary Biology). This paper, along with accompanying online tutorial, serves guide on complete set (i.e., meta-analysis, quantification, meta-regression, tests sensitivity analysis) also gateway more advanced, yet appropriate, methods.

Язык: Английский

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Population abundance estimates in conservation and biodiversity research

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 39(6), С. 515 - 523

Опубликована: Март 19, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Foundations and Future Directions for Causal Inference in Ecological Research

Ecology Letters, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 28(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Ecology often seeks to answer causal questions, and while ecologists have a rich history of experimental approaches, novel observational data streams the need apply insights across naturally occurring conditions pose opportunities challenges. Other fields developed inference approaches that can enhance expand our ability ecological questions using or data. However, lack comprehensive resources applying settings jargon from multiple disciplines creates barriers. We introduce for inference, discussing main frameworks counterfactual how differs other research aims key challenges; application in quasi‐experimental study designs; appropriate interpretation results given their assumptions biases; foundational papers; requirements trade‐offs between internal external validity posed by different designs. highlight these designs generally prioritise over generalisability. Finally, we identify considerations further integrate with synthesis science meta‐analysis spatiotemporal scales at which is possible. advocate ecology as field collectively define best practices inference.

Язык: Английский

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Addressing grand ecological challenges in aquatic ecosystems: how can mesocosms be used to advance solutions?

Oikos, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 11, 2025

Rapid and drastic anthropogenic impacts are affecting global biogeochemical processes driving biodiversity loss across Earth's ecosystems. In aquatic ecosystems, species distributions shifting, abundances of many have declined dramatically, threatened with extinction. addition to diversity, the ecosystem functions, services on which humans depend also being heavily impacted. Addressing these challenges not only requires direct action mitigate environmental but innovative approaches identify, quantify treat their effects in environment. Mesocosms valuable tools for achieving goals as they provide controlled environments evaluating stressors testing novel mitigation measures at multiple levels biological organisation. Here, we summarise discussions from a survey marine freshwater researchers who use mesocosm systems synthesise opportunities limitations advancing solutions grand ecological While most research utilising ecology has focused quantifying threats, there is largely unexplored potential using them test solutions. To overcome spatio‐temporal constraints, scale up size time‐scales studies, or alternatively, outcomes habitat‐scale restoration smaller scale. Enhancing connectivity future studies can help limitation isolation an important aspect recovery. Conducting ‘metacosm' studies: coordinated, distributed experiments spanning wide climatic gradients more regression‐based experimental designs tackle challenge context dependent results. Finally, collaboration theoretical, applied ecologists biogeochemists engineers technological developers will be necessary develop required advance human activities vulnerable

Язык: Английский

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Studying interactions among anthropogenic stressors in freshwater ecosystems: A systematic review of 2396 multiple‐stressor experiments

Ecology Letters, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 27(6)

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2024

Abstract Understanding the interactions among anthropogenic stressors is critical for effective conservation and management of ecosystems. Freshwater scientists have invested considerable resources in conducting factorial experiments to disentangle stressor by testing their individual combined effects. However, diversity systems studied has hindered previous syntheses this body research. To overcome challenge, we used a novel machine learning framework identify relevant studies from over 235,000 publications. Our synthesis resulted new dataset 2396 multiple‐stressor freshwater systems. By summarizing methods these studies, quantifying trends popularity investigated stressors, performing co‐occurrence analysis, produce most comprehensive overview diverse field research date. We provide both taxonomy grouping 909 into 31 classes an open‐source interactive version ( https://jamesaorr.shinyapps.io/freshwater‐multiple‐stressors/ ). Inspired our results, help clarify whether statistical detected align with interest, outline general guidelines design any system. conclude highlighting directions required better understand ecosystems facing multiple stressors.

Язык: Английский

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Towards a standardized framework for AI-assisted, image-based monitoring of nocturnal insects

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 379(1904)

Опубликована: Май 5, 2024

Automated sensors have potential to standardize and expand the monitoring of insects across globe. As one most scalable fastest developing sensor technologies, we describe a framework for automated, image-based nocturnal insects—from development field deployment workflows data processing publishing. Sensors comprise light attract insects, camera collecting images computer scheduling, storage processing. Metadata is important sampling schedules that balance capture relevant ecological information against power limitations. Large volumes from automated systems necessitate effective We vision approaches detection, tracking classification including models built existing aggregations labelled insect images. Data account inherent biases. advocate explicitly correct bias in species occurrence or abundance estimates resulting imperfect detection individuals present during occasions. propose ten priorities towards step-change vital task face rapid biodiversity loss global threats. This article part theme issue ‘Towards toolkit monitoring’.

Язык: Английский

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Experimental effects of multiple agricultural stressors on diversity and size structure of subtropical stream macroinvertebrates

Environmental Advances, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 100630 - 100630

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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A mechanistic framework of enemy release

Ecology Letters, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 26(12), С. 2147 - 2166

Опубликована: Ноя. 3, 2023

The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) is the best-known explaining high performance (e.g. rapid population growth) of exotic species. However, current framing ERH does not explicitly link evidence with performance. This leads to uncertainty regarding role in biological invasions. Here, we demonstrate that effect on product three factors: impact, diversity, and host adaptation. These factors are modulated by seven contexts: time since introduction, resource availability, phylogenetic relatedness native species, host-enemy asynchronicity, number introduction events, type enemy, strength growth-defence trade-offs. ERH-focused studies frequently test different under contexts. can lead inconsistent findings, which typifies for ERH. For example, over 80% meta-analyses fail consider ecological contexts alter study findings; this re-analysing a recent synthesis. Structuring around promotes generalisable predictions about when where species may benefit from release, empowering effective management. Our mechanistic factor-context framework clearly lays out required support ERH, unifies many enemy-related invasion hypotheses, enhances predictive capacity.

Язык: Английский

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Guidelines for the use of spatially varying coefficients in species distribution models

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 33(4)

Опубликована: Фев. 21, 2024

Abstract Aim Species distribution models (SDMs) are increasingly applied across macroscales using detection‐nondetection data. These typically assume that a single set of regression coefficients can adequately describe species–environment relationships and/or population trends. However, such often show nonlinear spatially varying patterns arise from complex interactions with abiotic and biotic processes operate at different scales. Spatially coefficient (SVC) readily account for variability in the effects environmental covariates. Yet, their use ecology is relatively scarce due to gaps understanding inferential benefits SVC provide compared simpler frameworks. Innovation Here we demonstrate SDMs, particular focus on how this approach be used generate test ecological hypotheses regarding drivers spatial trends relationships. We illustrate SDMs simulations two case studies: one assesses 51 forest bird species eastern United States over decades second evaluates five land cover change grasshopper sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum ) occurrence continental States. Main conclusions found strong support alternatives both empirical studies. Factors operating fine scales, accounted by SVCs, were primary divers Additionally, SVCs revealed species–habitat grassland cropland area sparrow, providing nuanced insights into future may shape its distribution. applications display utility help reveal factors drive distributions local broad conclude discussing potential conservation.

Язык: Английский

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Assessing the response of an urban stream ecosystem to salinization under different flow regimes

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 926, С. 171849 - 171849

Опубликована: Март 25, 2024

Urban streams are exposed to a variety of anthropogenic stressors. Freshwater salinization is key stressor in these ecosystems that predicted be further exacerbated by climate change, which causes simultaneous changes flow parameters, potentially resulting non-additive effects on aquatic ecosystems. However, the and velocity urban still poorly understood as multiple-stressor experiments often conducted at pristine rather than sites. Therefore, we mesocosm experiment Boye River, recently restored stream located highly urbanized area western Germany, applied recurrent pulses salinity along gradient (NaCl, 9 h daily +0 +2.5 mS/cm) combination with normal reduced current velocities (20 cm/s vs. 10 cm/s). Using comprehensive assessment across multiple organism groups (macroinvertebrates, eukaryotic algae, fungi, parasites) ecosystem functions (primary production, organic-matter decomposition), show reduction has pervasive impact, causing community shifts for almost all assessed (except fungi) inhibiting decomposition. Salinization affected only dynamic components assembly enhancing invertebrate emigration via drift reducing fungal reproduction. We caution comparatively small impact salt our study can due legacy from past pollution coal mining activities >30 years ago. Nevertheless, results suggest management should prioritize continuity minimum discharge maintain integrity. Our exemplifies holistic approach impacts streams, needed inform establishment threshold above mitigation actions must taken.

Язык: Английский

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