1
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Orth RJ, Dennison WC, Wilcox DJ, Batiuk RA, Landry JB, Gurbisz C, Keisman J, Hannam M, Lefcheck JS, Murphy RR, Moore KA, Patrick CJ, Testa JM, Weller DE, Merritt MF, Hobaugh P. Data synthesis for environmental management: A case study of Chesapeake Bay. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 321:115901. [PMID: 35998533 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Synthesizing large, complex data sets to inform resource managers towards effective environmental stewardship is a universal challenge. In Chesapeake Bay, a well-studied and intensively monitored estuary in North America, the challenge of synthesizing data on water quality and land use as factors related to a key habitat, submerged aquatic vegetation, was tackled by a team of scientists and resource managers operating at multiple levels of governance (state, federal). The synthesis effort took place over a two-year period (2016-2018), and the results were communicated widely to a) scientists via peer review publications and conference presentations; b) resource managers via web materials and workshop presentations; and c) the public through newspaper articles, radio interviews, and podcasts. The synthesis effort was initiated by resource managers at the United States Environmental Protection Agencys' Chesapeake Bay Program and 16 scientist participants were recruited from a diversity of organizations. Multiple short, immersive workshops were conducted regularly to conceptualize the problem, followed by data analysis and interpretation that supported the preparation of the synthetic products that were communicated widely. Reflections on the process indicate that there are a variety of structural and functional requirements, as well as enabling conditions, that need to be considered to achieve successful outcomes from synthesis efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Orth
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA.
| | - William C Dennison
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA
| | - David J Wilcox
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA
| | - Richard A Batiuk
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Annapolis, MD, 21403, USA
| | - J Brooke Landry
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis, MD, 21401, USA
| | - Cassie Gurbisz
- St. Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, Maryland, 20686, USA
| | | | - Michael Hannam
- Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network, MarineGEO Program, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, 21037, USA
| | - Jonathan S Lefcheck
- Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network, MarineGEO Program, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, 21037, USA
| | - Rebecca R Murphy
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Bay Program Office, Annapolis, MD, 21401, USA
| | - Kenneth A Moore
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA
| | - Christopher J Patrick
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA
| | - Jeremy M Testa
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Solomons, Maryland, 20688, USA
| | - Donald E Weller
- Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network, MarineGEO Program, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, 21037, USA
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2
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Using spot pattern recognition to examine population biology, evolutionary ecology, sociality, and movements of giraffes: a 70-year retrospective. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00261-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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3
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White ER, Schakner Z, Bellamy A, Srinivasan M. Detecting population trends for US marine mammals. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Easton R. White
- Department of Biological Sciences University of New Hampshire Durham New Hampshire USA
- Gund Institute for Environment University of Vermont Burlington Vermont USA
| | - Zachary Schakner
- Office of Science and Technology, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Silver Spring Maryland USA
| | - Amber Bellamy
- Office of Science and Technology, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Silver Spring Maryland USA
| | - Mridula Srinivasan
- Office of Science and Technology, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Silver Spring Maryland USA
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4
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Bahlai CA, White ER, Perrone JD, Cusser S, Stack Whitney K. The broken window: An algorithm for quantifying and characterizing misleading trajectories in ecological processes. ECOL INFORM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2021.101336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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5
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Barrow LN, Masiero da Fonseca E, Thompson CEP, Carstens BC. Predicting amphibian intraspecific diversity with machine learning: Challenges and prospects for integrating traits, geography, and genetic data. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 21:2818-2831. [PMID: 33249725 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The growing availability of genetic data sets, in combination with machine learning frameworks, offers great potential to answer long-standing questions in ecology and evolution. One such question has intrigued population geneticists, biogeographers, and conservation biologists: What factors determine intraspecific genetic diversity? This question is challenging to answer because many factors may influence genetic variation, including life history traits, historical influences, and geography, and the relative importance of these factors varies across taxonomic and geographic scales. Furthermore, interpreting the influence of numerous, potentially correlated variables is difficult with traditional statistical approaches. To address these challenges, we analysed repurposed data using machine learning and investigated predictors of genetic diversity, focusing on Nearctic amphibians as a case study. We aggregated species traits, range characteristics, and >42,000 genetic sequences for 299 species using open-access scripts and various databases. After identifying important predictors of nucleotide diversity with random forest regression, we conducted follow-up analyses to examine the roles of phylogenetic history, geography, and demographic processes on intraspecific diversity. Although life history traits were not important predictors for this data set, we found significant phylogenetic signal in genetic diversity within amphibians. We also found that salamander species at northern latitudes contained low genetic diversity. Data repurposing and machine learning provide valuable tools for detecting patterns with relevance for conservation, but concerted efforts are needed to compile meaningful data sets with greater utility for understanding global biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa N Barrow
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Coleen E P Thompson
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Bryan C Carstens
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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6
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Armeli Minicante S, Piredda R, Quero GM, Finotto S, Bernardi Aubry F, Bastianini M, Pugnetti A, Zingone A. Habitat Heterogeneity and Connectivity: Effects on the Planktonic Protist Community Structure at Two Adjacent Coastal Sites (the Lagoon and the Gulf of Venice, Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy) Revealed by Metabarcoding. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2736. [PMID: 32038505 PMCID: PMC6988810 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Lagoon of Venice (LoV) and the Gulf of Venice (GoV), two adjacent coastal Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites in the northern Adriatic Sea, represent a transitional/marine coupled ecosystem under the influence of regional and local factors. In this study, these sites were sampled on four dates from April 2016 to February 2017 for environmental DNA and relevant abiotic variables, aiming to assess the relative importance of habitat heterogeneity and connectivity in structuring the protist community. High Throughput Sequencing of V4-18S rRNA gene from 56 samples collected at seven stations produced ca 6 million reads, grouped into 7,336 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) at 97% similarity, which were affiliated to protists belonging to 34 taxonomic groups. The whole community was dominated by Bacillariophyta, especially in spring-summer in the LoV, and by Dinophyta, mainly in the GoV. Ciliophora, Syndiniales, and Cryptophyceae were the next more abundant groups. The community structure varied across the seasons and was different in the two ecosystems, which shared 96% of the reads but showed a high proportion of OTUs distributed preferentially in one of the two sites (specialists) and a different partitioning of trophic categories. GoV specialists were mainly Dinophyceae (>56%), followed by Syndiniales and Bacillariophyta, while the LoV specialists were distributed among several groups, including Bacillariophyta, Syndiniales, Ciliophora, Cryptophyceae, and Trebouxiophyceae. The main abiotic drivers of the differences between protist communities were salinity and temperature, which however explained a minor part of the variance (17%), pointing at a higher relevance of biotic factors and inter-taxa relationships. This was more evident in the LoV, where the network analysis highlighted a higher number of OTUs’ connections than in the GoV. Overall, the metabarcoding approach allowed to depict the composition of the whole protist community in the lagoon and adjacent coastal waters with high resolution, revealing many taxa so far not reported in the area. In addition, despite no clear barrier to dispersal processes, differences in the relative abundance and temporal variability of local protist communities indicate that environmental heterogeneity, in these adjacent and connected ecosystems, can be strong enough to allow for ecological segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberta Piredda
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Grazia Marina Quero
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Finotto
- Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council, Venice, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Bastianini
- Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council, Venice, Italy
| | | | - Adriana Zingone
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
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7
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Sperandii MG, Bazzichetto M, Acosta ATR, Barták V, Malavasi M. Multiple drivers of plant diversity in coastal dunes: A Mediterranean experience. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 652:1435-1444. [PMID: 30586828 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In light of the global biodiversity loss, syntheses of the available knowledge about drivers of biodiversity are becoming increasingly important. However, despite the high number of studies analyzing patterns of plant species diversity, few attempts have been made to synthesize findings within different ecosystems. In this work, the relative role of a wide set of predictors imputable to three conceptual-methodological domains (abiotic, human-mediated disturbance and landscape domain, hereafter AD, DD and LD) was simultaneously analyzed in 644 random plots distributed along the coastal dunes of Central Italy. Native species richness and focal species cover, both field-recorded, were used as response variables. Predictors pertaining to the three domains were derived from both field surveys and high-resolution remotely sensed imagery (LiDAR and orthophotos). To test how AD, DD and LD affect native species richness and focal species cover, a GLM and a linear model were fitted respectively. The three domains were then ranked according to their relative importance. Although the role of the three domains was always significant, they turned out to unequally contribute to the explanation of native species richness and focal species cover patterns. For Mediterranean coastal dune ecosystems, AD appears to be the key biodiversity driver, followed by DD and LD. Our results suggest that as long as human disturbance is limited, plant diversity will distribute according to species abiotic tolerances, regardless of habitat loss and fragmentation per se. Representing a first effort towards a synthesis of plant diversity drivers in coastal dunes, this work points to the importance, in Mediterranean coastal dune ecosystems, of zonation dynamics, whose occurrence should be addressed as a priority issue by efficient conservations strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gaia Sperandii
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Roma, Italy.
| | - Manuele Bazzichetto
- Envix-Lab, Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, IS, Italy.
| | | | - Vojtěch Barták
- Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamycka 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Marco Malavasi
- Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamycka 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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8
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White ER. Minimum Time Required to Detect Population Trends: The Need for Long-Term Monitoring Programs. Bioscience 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biy144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Easton R White
- Center for Population Biology at the University of California, Davis
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9
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Escribano N, Galicia D, Ariño AH. The tragedy of the biodiversity data commons: a data impediment creeping nigher? DATABASE-THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DATABASES AND CURATION 2018; 2018:4965857. [PMID: 29688384 PMCID: PMC5892138 DOI: 10.1093/database/bay033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Researchers are embracing the open access movement to facilitate unrestricted availability of scientific results. One sign of this willingness is the steady increase in data freely shared online, which has prompted a corresponding increase in the number of papers using such data. Publishing datasets is a time-consuming process that is often seen as a courtesy, rather than a necessary step in the research process. Making data accessible allows further research, provides basic information for decision-making and contributes to transparency in science. Nevertheless, the ease of access to heaps of data carries a perception of ‘free lunch for all’, and the work of data publishers is largely going unnoticed. Acknowledging such a significant effort involving the creation, management and publication of a dataset remains a flimsy, not well established practice in the scientific community. In a meta-analysis of published literature, we have observed various dataset citation practices, but mostly (92%) consisting of merely citing the data repository rather than the data publisher. Failing to recognize the work of data publishers might lead to a decrease in the number of quality datasets shared online, compromising potential research that is dependent on the availability of such data. We make an urgent appeal to raise awareness about this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Escribano
- Universidad de Navarra, Department of Environmental Biology, Biodiversity and Environmental Quality Data Analysis Group, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - David Galicia
- Universidad de Navarra, Department of Environmental Biology, Biodiversity and Environmental Quality Data Analysis Group, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Arturo H Ariño
- Universidad de Navarra, Department of Environmental Biology, Biodiversity and Environmental Quality Data Analysis Group, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
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10
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Dunnington DW, Spooner IS. Using a linked table-based structure to encode self-describing multiparameter spatiotemporal data. Facets (Ott) 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2017-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiparameter data with both spatial and temporal components are critical to advancing the state of environmental science. These data and data collected in the future are most useful when compared with each other and analyzed together, which is often inhibited by inconsistent data formats and a lack of structured documentation provided by researchers and (or) data repositories. In this paper we describe a linked table-based structure that encodes multiparameter spatiotemporal data and their documentation that is both flexible (able to store a wide variety of data sets) and usable (can easily be viewed, edited, and converted to plottable formats). The format is a collection of five tables (Data, Locations, Params, Data Sets, and Columns), on which restrictions are placed to ensure data are represented consistently from multiple sources. These tables can be stored in a variety of ways including spreadsheet files, comma-separated value (CSV) files, JavaScript object notation (JSON) files, databases, or objects in a software environment such as R or Python. A toolkit for users of R statistical software was also developed to facilitate converting data to and from the data format. We have used this format to combine data from multiple sources with minimal metadata loss and to effectively archive and communicate the results of spatiotemporal studies. We believe that this format and associated discussion of data and data storage will facilitate increased synergies between past, present, and future data sets in the environmental science community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewey W. Dunnington
- Centre for Water Resources Studies, Department of Civil & Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, 1360 Barrington Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ian S. Spooner
- Department of Earth & Environmental Science, Acadia University, 12 University Avenue, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
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11
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Kuebbing SE, Reimer AP, Rosenthal SA, Feinberg G, Leiserowitz A, Lau JA, Bradford MA. Long‐term research in ecology and evolution: a survey of challenges and opportunities. ECOL MONOGR 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara E. Kuebbing
- School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Yale University New Haven Connecticut 06511 USA
| | - Adam P. Reimer
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Michigan State University Hickory Corners Michigan 49060 USA
| | - Seth A. Rosenthal
- School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Yale University New Haven Connecticut 06511 USA
| | - Geoffrey Feinberg
- School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Yale University New Haven Connecticut 06511 USA
| | - Anthony Leiserowitz
- School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Yale University New Haven Connecticut 06511 USA
| | - Jennifer A. Lau
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Michigan State University Hickory Corners Michigan 49060 USA
| | - Mark A. Bradford
- School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Yale University New Haven Connecticut 06511 USA
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12
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Curty RG, Crowston K, Specht A, Grant BW, Dalton ED. Attitudes and norms affecting scientists' data reuse. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189288. [PMID: 29281658 PMCID: PMC5744933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The value of sharing scientific research data is widely appreciated, but factors that hinder or prompt the reuse of data remain poorly understood. Using the Theory of Reasoned Action, we test the relationship between the beliefs and attitudes of scientists towards data reuse, and their self-reported data reuse behaviour. To do so, we used existing responses to selected questions from a worldwide survey of scientists developed and administered by the DataONE Usability and Assessment Working Group (thus practicing data reuse ourselves). Results show that the perceived efficacy and efficiency of data reuse are strong predictors of reuse behaviour, and that the perceived importance of data reuse corresponds to greater reuse. Expressed lack of trust in existing data and perceived norms against data reuse were not found to be major impediments for reuse contrary to our expectations. We found that reported use of models and remotely-sensed data was associated with greater reuse. The results suggest that data reuse would be encouraged and normalized by demonstration of its value. We offer some theoretical and practical suggestions that could help to legitimize investment and policies in favor of data sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Gonçalves Curty
- Departamento de Ciência da Informação, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Kevin Crowston
- School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States of America
| | - Alison Specht
- Centre for the Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity, Foundation for the Research on Biodiversity, Aix-en-Provence, France.,School for Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Queensland, Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bruce W Grant
- Departments of Biology and Environmental Science, Widener University, Chester, PA, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth D Dalton
- Department of Communication Studies, Middle Tennessee State University; Murfreesboro, TN, United States of America
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13
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Kiffner C, Rheault H, Miller E, Scheetz T, Enriquez V, Swafford R, Kioko J, Prins HHT. Long-term population dynamics in a multi-species assemblage of large herbivores in East Africa. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kiffner
- Center For Wildlife Management Studies; The School For Field Studies; PO Box 304 Karatu Tanzania
| | - Helena Rheault
- Westfield State University; 577 Western Avenue Westfield Massachusetts 01086 USA
| | | | - Tanner Scheetz
- Department of Biology; Miami University; 501 East High Street Oxford Ohio 45056 USA
| | - Vivien Enriquez
- Department of Anthropology; Beloit College; 700 College Street Beloit Wisconsin 53511 USA
| | - Rachelle Swafford
- Department of Animal Biotechnology and Conservation; Delaware Valley University; 700 East Butler Avenue Doylestown Pennsylvania 18901 USA
| | - John Kioko
- Center For Wildlife Management Studies; The School For Field Studies; PO Box 304 Karatu Tanzania
| | - Herbert H. T. Prins
- Department of Environmental Sciences; Wageningen University; Wageningen The Netherlands
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14
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Performance of ground-based and aerial survey methods for monitoring wildlife assemblages in a conservation area of northern Tanzania. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-017-1133-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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15
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Hughes BB, Beas-Luna R, Barner AK, Brewitt K, Brumbaugh DR, Cerny-Chipman EB, Close SL, Coblentz KE, de Nesnera KL, Drobnitch ST, Figurski JD, Focht B, Friedman M, Freiwald J, Heady KK, Heady WN, Hettinger A, Johnson A, Karr KA, Mahoney B, Moritsch MM, Osterback AMK, Reimer J, Robinson J, Rohrer T, Rose JM, Sabal M, Segui LM, Shen C, Sullivan J, Zuercher R, Raimondi PT, Menge BA, Grorud-Colvert K, Novak M, Carr MH. Long-Term Studies Contribute Disproportionately to Ecology and Policy. Bioscience 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biw185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Verheyen K, De Frenne P, Baeten L, Waller DM, Hédl R, Perring MP, Blondeel H, Brunet J, Chudomelova M, Decocq G, De Lombaerde E, Depauw L, Dirnböck T, Durak T, Eriksson O, Gilliam FS, Heinken T, Heinrichs S, Hermy M, Jaroszewicz B, Jenkins MA, Johnson SE, Kirby KJ, Kopecký M, Landuyt D, Lenoir J, Li D, Macek M, Maes S, Máliš F, Mitchell FJG, Naaf T, Peterken G, Petřík P, Reczyńska K, Rogers DA, Schei FH, Schmidt W, Standovár T, Świerkosz K, Ujházy K, Van Calster H, Vellend M, Vild O, Woods K, Wulf M, Bernhard-Römermann M. Combining community resurvey data to advance global change research. Bioscience 2016; 67:73-83. [PMID: 30220729 PMCID: PMC6136644 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biw150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
More and more ecologists have started to resurvey communities sampled in earlier decades to determine long-term shifts in community composition and infer the likely drivers of the ecological changes observed. However, to assess the relative importance of, and interactions among, multiple drivers joint analyses of resurvey data from many regions spanning large environmental gradients are needed. In this paper we illustrate how combining resurvey data from multiple regions can increase the likelihood of driver-orthogonality within the design and show that repeatedly surveying across multiple regions provides higher representativeness and comprehensiveness, allowing us to answer more completely a broader range of questions. We provide general guidelines to aid implementation of multi-region resurvey databases. In so doing, we aim to encourage resurvey database development across other community types and biomes to advance global environmental change research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Verheyen
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest & Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Pieter De Frenne
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest & Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium,
| | - Lander Baeten
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest & Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium,
| | - Donald M Waller
- Botany Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 430 Lincoln Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA,
| | - Radim Hédl
- Department of Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Lidická 25/27, Brno, 60200, Czech Republic, ; Department of Botany, Palacky University in Olomouc, Slechtitelu 27, Olomouc, 78371, Czech Republic
| | - Michael P Perring
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest & Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium, ; Ecosystem Restoration and Intervention Ecology Research Group; School of Plant Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35, Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, AUSTRALIA,
| | - Haben Blondeel
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest & Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium,
| | - Jörg Brunet
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 49, 230 53 Alnarp, Sweden,
| | - Markéeta Chudomelova
- Department of Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Lidická 25/27, Brno, 60200, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno CZ-60200, Czech Republic,
| | - Guillaume Decocq
- UR "Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés" (EDYSAN, FRE 3498 CNRS-UPJV), Jules Verne University of Picardy, 1, rue des Louvels, 80037 Amiens Cédex, FRANCE,
| | - Emiel De Lombaerde
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest & Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium,
| | - Leen Depauw
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest & Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium,
| | - Thomas Dirnböck
- Department for Ecosystem Research, Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria,
| | - Tomasz Durak
- Department of Botany, University of Rzeszów, Zelwerowicza 4, Rzeszów PL-35-601, Poland,
| | - Ove Eriksson
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE - 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden,
| | - Frank S Gilliam
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755-2510, USA,
| | - Thilo Heinken
- Biodiversity Research / Systematic Botany, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 1, 14469 Potsdam, Germany,
| | - Steffi Heinrichs
- Department Silviculture & Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Burckhardt Institute, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany,
| | - Martin Hermy
- Dept Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Celestijnenlaan 200E, Heverlee 3001, Belgium,
| | - Bogdan Jaroszewicz
- Białowieża Geobotanical Station, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Sportowa 19, Białowieża, 17-230, Poland
| | - Michael A Jenkins
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2061, USA,
| | - Sarah E Johnson
- Department of Natural Resources and Biology, Northland College, 1411 Ellis Avenue, Ashland, Wisconsin 54806, USA,
| | - Keith J Kirby
- Department of Plant Sciences, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK,
| | - Martin Kopecký
- Department of Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Lidická 25/27, Brno, CZ-602 00, Czech Republic, , : Department of Forest Ecology, : Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, : Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 21, Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Dries Landuyt
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest & Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium,
| | - Jonathan Lenoir
- UR "Ecologie et dynamique des systems anthropisés" (EDYSAN, FRE 3498 CNRS-UPJV), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 1 Rue des Louvels, 80000 Amiens, France,
| | - Daijiang Li
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 430 Lincoln Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA,
| | - Martin Macek
- Dept. of GIS and RS, Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, Průhonice 252 43, Czech Republic,
| | - Sybryn Maes
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest & Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium,
| | - Frantisek Máliš
- Department of Phytology, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, 960 53 Zvolen, Slovakia,
| | | | - Tobias Naaf
- Institute of Land Use Systems, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany,
| | | | - Petr Petřík
- Department of GIS and Remote Sensing, Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, Průhonice 25243, Czech Republic,
| | - Kamila Reczyńska
- Wrocław University, Museum of Natural History, Sienkiewicza 21, Wrocław 50-335, Poland,
| | - David A Rogers
- Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Parkside, 900 Wood Rd., Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141, USA,
| | - Fride Hoistad Schei
- Forestry and Forest Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Fanaflaten 4, 5244 Fana, Norway,
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt
- Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, Faculty of Forestry and Forest Ecology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany,
| | - Tibor Standovár
- Dept. Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary,
| | - Krzystof Świerkosz
- Wrocław University, Museum of Natural History, Sienkiewicza 21, Wrocław 50-335, Poland,
| | - Karol Ujházy
- Department of Phytology, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, SK-960 53 Zvolen, Slovakia,
| | - Hans Van Calster
- Biometry & Quality Assurance, Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Kliniekstraat 25, Brussels, 1070, Belgium,
| | - Mark Vellend
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 2R1, Canada,
| | - Ondřej Vild
- Department of Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Lidická 25/27, Brno, 60200, Czech Republic, Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno CZ-60200, Czech Republic,
| | - Kerry Woods
- Natural Sciences, Bennington College, 1 College Drive, Bennington, VT 05201, USA,
| | - Monika Wulf
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Institute of Land Use Systems, Eberswalder Straße 84, Müncheberg, 15374, Germany,
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17
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O'Brien M, Costa D, Servilla M. Ensuring the quality of data packages in the LTER network data management system. ECOL INFORM 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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18
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Lee DE, Bond ML. Precision, accuracy, and costs of survey methods for giraffeGiraffa camelopardalis. J Mammal 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyw025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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19
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Schmidt B, Gemeinholzer B, Treloar A. Open Data in Global Environmental Research: The Belmont Forum's Open Data Survey. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146695. [PMID: 26771577 PMCID: PMC4714918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper presents the findings of the Belmont Forum’s survey on Open Data which targeted the global environmental research and data infrastructure community. It highlights users’ perceptions of the term “open data”, expectations of infrastructure functionalities, and barriers and enablers for the sharing of data. A wide range of good practice examples was pointed out by the respondents which demonstrates a substantial uptake of data sharing through e-infrastructures and a further need for enhancement and consolidation. Among all policy responses, funder policies seem to be the most important motivator. This supports the conclusion that stronger mandates will strengthen the case for data sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Schmidt
- State and University Library, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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20
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Specht A, Guru S, Houghton L, Keniger L, Driver P, Ritchie EG, Lai K, Treloar A. Data management challenges in analysis and synthesis in the ecosystem sciences. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 534:144-158. [PMID: 25891686 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Open-data has created an unprecedented opportunity with new challenges for ecosystem scientists. Skills in data management are essential to acquire, manage, publish, access and re-use data. These skills span many disciplines and require trans-disciplinary collaboration. Science synthesis centres support analysis and synthesis through collaborative 'Working Groups' where domain specialists work together to synthesise existing information to provide insight into critical problems. The Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (ACEAS) served a wide range of stakeholders, from scientists to policy-makers to managers. This paper investigates the level of sophistication in data management in the ecosystem science community through the lens of the ACEAS experience, and identifies the important factors required to enable us to benefit from this new data-world and produce innovative science. ACEAS promoted the analysis and synthesis of data to solve transdisciplinary questions, and promoted the publication of the synthesised data. To do so, it provided support in many of the key skillsets required. Analysis and synthesis in multi-disciplinary and multi-organisational teams, and publishing data were new for most. Data were difficult to discover and access, and to make ready for analysis, largely due to lack of metadata. Data use and publication were hampered by concerns about data ownership and a desire for data citation. A web portal was created to visualise geospatial datasets to maximise data interpretation. By the end of the experience there was a significant increase in appreciation of the importance of a Data Management Plan. It is extremely doubtful that the work would have occurred or data delivered without the support of the Synthesis centre, as few of the participants had the necessary networks or skills. It is argued that participation in the Centre provided an important learning opportunity, and has resulted in improved knowledge and understanding of good data management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Specht
- Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, a facility of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - S Guru
- Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, a facility of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, University of Queensland, Australia; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - L Houghton
- Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, a facility of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - L Keniger
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - P Driver
- Office of Water, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - E G Ritchie
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - K Lai
- Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, a facility of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - A Treloar
- Australian National Data Service, Monash University, Australia
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21
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Lynch AJJ, Thackway R, Specht A, Beggs PJ, Brisbane S, Burns EL, Byrne M, Capon SJ, Casanova MT, Clarke PA, Davies JM, Dovers S, Dwyer RG, Ens E, Fisher DO, Flanigan M, Garnier E, Guru SM, Kilminster K, Locke J, Mac Nally R, McMahon KM, Mitchell PJ, Pierson JC, Rodgers EM, Russell-Smith J, Udy J, Waycott M. Transdisciplinary synthesis for ecosystem science, policy and management: The Australian experience. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 534:173-84. [PMID: 25957785 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 03/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Mitigating the environmental effects of global population growth, climatic change and increasing socio-ecological complexity is a daunting challenge. To tackle this requires synthesis: the integration of disparate information to generate novel insights from heterogeneous, complex situations where there are diverse perspectives. Since 1995, a structured approach to inter-, multi- and trans-disciplinary(1) collaboration around big science questions has been supported through synthesis centres around the world. These centres are finding an expanding role due to ever-accumulating data and the need for more and better opportunities to develop transdisciplinary and holistic approaches to solve real-world problems. The Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (ACEAS <http://www.aceas.org.au>) has been the pioneering ecosystem science synthesis centre in the Southern Hemisphere. Such centres provide analysis and synthesis opportunities for time-pressed scientists, policy-makers and managers. They provide the scientific and organisational environs for virtual and face-to-face engagement, impetus for integration, data and methodological support, and innovative ways to deliver synthesis products. We detail the contribution, role and value of synthesis using ACEAS to exemplify the capacity for synthesis centres to facilitate trans-organisational, transdisciplinary synthesis. We compare ACEAS to other international synthesis centres, and describe how it facilitated project teams and its objective of linking natural resource science to policy to management. Scientists and managers were brought together to actively collaborate in multi-institutional, cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary research on contemporary ecological problems. The teams analysed, integrated and synthesised existing data to co-develop solution-oriented publications and management recommendations that might otherwise not have been produced. We identify key outcomes of some ACEAS working groups which used synthesis to tackle important ecosystem challenges. We also examine the barriers and enablers to synthesis, so that risks can be minimised and successful outcomes maximised. We argue that synthesis centres have a crucial role in developing, communicating and using synthetic transdisciplinary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J J Lynch
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - R Thackway
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - A Specht
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia; Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia
| | - P J Beggs
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - S Brisbane
- Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia
| | - E L Burns
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia
| | - M Byrne
- Science and Conservation Division, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983, Australia
| | - S J Capon
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia
| | - M T Casanova
- Centre for Environmental Management, Federation University, Mount Helen, Vic 3350, Australia
| | - P A Clarke
- School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia
| | - J M Davies
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - S Dovers
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - R G Dwyer
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - E Ens
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - D O Fisher
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - M Flanigan
- Formerly of Department of Environment, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - E Garnier
- CEntre for the Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity (CESAB-FRB), 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France; Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (UMR 5175), CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, 34293 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - S M Guru
- Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
| | | | - J Locke
- Biocultural Consulting Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia
| | - R Mac Nally
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - K M McMahon
- School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, WA 6027, Australia
| | - P J Mitchell
- CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, College Rd, Hobart, Tas 7005, Australia
| | - J C Pierson
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - E M Rodgers
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - J Russell-Smith
- Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia
| | - J Udy
- Healthy Waterways, PO Box 13086, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia
| | - M Waycott
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; State Herbarium of South Australia, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
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How can we identify and communicate the ecological value of deep-sea ecosystem services? PLoS One 2014; 9:e100646. [PMID: 25055119 PMCID: PMC4108315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Submarine canyons are considered biodiversity hotspots which have been identified for their important roles in connecting the deep sea with shallower waters. To date, a huge gap exists between the high importance that scientists associate with deep-sea ecosystem services and the communication of this knowledge to decision makers and to the wider public, who remain largely ignorant of the importance of these services. The connectivity and complexity of marine ecosystems makes knowledge transfer very challenging, and new communication tools are necessary to increase understanding of ecological values beyond the science community. We show how the Ecosystem Principles Approach, a method that explains the importance of ocean processes via easily understandable ecological principles, might overcome this challenge for deep-sea ecosystem services. Scientists were asked to help develop a list of clear and concise ecosystem principles for the functioning of submarine canyons through a Delphi process to facilitate future transfers of ecological knowledge. These ecosystem principles describe ecosystem processes, link such processes to ecosystem services, and provide spatial and temporal information on the connectivity between deep and shallow waters. They also elucidate unique characteristics of submarine canyons. Our Ecosystem Principles Approach was successful in integrating ecological information into the ecosystem services assessment process. It therefore has a high potential to be the next step towards a wider implementation of ecological values in marine planning. We believe that successful communication of ecological knowledge is the key to a wider public support for ocean conservation, and that this endeavour has to be driven by scientists in their own interest as major deep-sea stakeholders.
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24
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Peters DPC, Havstad KM, Cushing J, Tweedie C, Fuentes O, Villanueva-Rosales N. Harnessing the power of big data: infusing the scientific method with machine learning to transform ecology. Ecosphere 2014. [DOI: 10.1890/es13-00359.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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25
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Peters DPC, Loescher HW, SanClements MD, Havstad KM. Taking the pulse of a continent: expanding site-based research infrastructure for regional- to continental-scale ecology. Ecosphere 2014. [DOI: 10.1890/es13-00295.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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26
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McInerny GJ, Chen M, Freeman R, Gavaghan D, Meyer M, Rowland F, Spiegelhalter DJ, Stefaner M, Tessarolo G, Hortal J. Information visualisation for science and policy: engaging users and avoiding bias. Trends Ecol Evol 2014; 29:148-57. [PMID: 24565371 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Visualisations and graphics are fundamental to studying complex subject matter. However, beyond acknowledging this value, scientists and science-policy programmes rarely consider how visualisations can enable discovery, create engaging and robust reporting, or support online resources. Producing accessible and unbiased visualisations from complicated, uncertain data requires expertise and knowledge from science, policy, computing, and design. However, visualisation is rarely found in our scientific training, organisations, or collaborations. As new policy programmes develop [e.g., the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)], we need information visualisation to permeate increasingly both the work of scientists and science policy. The alternative is increased potential for missed discoveries, miscommunications, and, at worst, creating a bias towards the research that is easiest to display.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg J McInerny
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Wolfson Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QD, UK; Computational Science Laboratory, Microsoft Research Ltd, 21 Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2FB, UK.
| | - Min Chen
- Oxford E-science Research Centre, 7 Keble Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QG, UK
| | - Robin Freeman
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - David Gavaghan
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Wolfson Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QD, UK
| | - Miriah Meyer
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, School of Computing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Francis Rowland
- EMBL, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - David J Spiegelhalter
- Statistical Laboratory, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0WB, UK
| | | | - Geizi Tessarolo
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Departamento de Biogeografía y Cambio Global, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquin Hortal
- Departamento de Biogeografía y Cambio Global, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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Patterson LD, Drake CC, Allen ML, Parent L. Detecting a population decline of woodland caribou (
Rangifer tarandus caribou
) from non‐standardized monitoring data in Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario. WILDLIFE SOC B 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucy D. Patterson
- Parks Canada AgencyPukaskwa National ParkP.O. Box 212Heron BayON, CanadaP0T 1R0
| | - Christine C. Drake
- Parks Canada AgencyPukaskwa National ParkP.O. Box 212Heron BayON, CanadaP0T 1R0
| | - Martha L. Allen
- Parks Canada AgencyPukaskwa National ParkP.O. Box 212Heron BayON, CanadaP0T 1R0
| | - Lynn Parent
- Parks Canada AgencyPukaskwa National ParkP.O. Box 212Heron BayON, CanadaP0T 1R0
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28
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Davies AL, Colombo S, Hanley N. Improving the application of long-term ecology in conservation and land management. J Appl Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Althea L. Davies
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences; University of Stirling; Stirling FK9 4LA UK
| | - Sergio Colombo
- Department of Agricultural Economics; IFAPA; Junta de Andalusia; Granada Spain
| | - Nick Hanley
- Economics Division; Stirling Management School; University of Stirling; Stirling FK9 4LA UK
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29
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Karl JW, Herrick JE, Unnasch RS, Gillan JK, Ellis EC, Lutters WG, Martin LJ. Discovering Ecologically Relevant Knowledge from Published Studies through Geosemantic Searching. Bioscience 2013. [DOI: 10.1525/bio.2013.63.8.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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30
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Craine JM. Long-term climate sensitivity of grazer performance: a cross-site study. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67065. [PMID: 23840584 PMCID: PMC3688624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change will affect grasslands in a number of ways, but the consequences of a warmer, drier world for grazers is uncertain. Predicting future grazer performance is complex since climate change affects both the quantity and quality of forage through a combination of processes that occur over a range of time scales. To better predict the consequences of climate change for grazer performance, a dataset was compiled of over a quarter million bison weights distributed across 22 US herds that span a large range of climates. Patterns of bison body mass among sites, age classes, and sexes were analyzed with respect to differences in geographic patterns of climate and interannual variation in climate. While short-term effects of climate variability are likely to depend on the magnitude and timing of precipitation during the year, grazers will be negatively affected by sustained hotter, drier conditions most likely associated with reductions in forage quality. Short-term, little effect of high temperatures on bison performance is observed, which suggests that the long-term effects of higher temperatures are likely to accrue over time as nitrogen availability in grasslands is reduced and forage quality declines. If relationships observed for bison are general for cattle, the economic consequences of higher temperatures due to decreased weight gain in US cattle could be on the order of US$1B per 1°C increase in temperature. Long-term monitoring of forage quality as well as native and domesticated grazer performance is recommended to better understand climate change effects on grazers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Craine
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA.
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31
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Webb SL, Gee KL, DeYoung RW, Harju SM. Variance component analysis of body mass in a wild population of deer (Odocoileus virginianus): results from two decades of research. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2013. [DOI: 10.1071/wr12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Long-term studies of large, vertebrate mammals using capture–recapture data are scarce, even though long-term ecological studies are requisite to understanding quantitative genetics and evolutionary processes that can be applied as part of management programs.
Aims
Objectives were to (1) partition components of variation in body mass to understand the differential effects of environmental variation on the sexes during ontogeny, to better prescribe habitat-improvement projects, and (2) estimate repeatability to assess potential for selection on body mass.
Methods
We used a 23-year dataset (1983–2005) of capture–recapture records of wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to estimate components of variance and repeatability of body mass. We used an animal-model approach that employed the use of general linear mixed models and restricted maximum likelihood to adjust for the effects of age (i.e. fixed effect), and to partition the total phenotypic variance into among-individual (i.e. the deer), permanent environmental (i.e. year of birth) and temporary environmental (i.e. year of measurement and residual) effects (all modelled as random effects).
Key results
We found that body mass increased with age in both sexes, repeatability of body mass was 0.595 for females and 0.716 for males, and among-individual variation was more influential on body mass than were permanent and temporary environmental effects combined. Year of birth was more important in males than females, but changed during the course of ontogeny for both sexes. Year of measurement did not influence post-rut body mass in males, but did contribute to variation in body mass of females.
Conclusions
These long-term data offer insights into the sources of variation that influence body mass of deer, which can be used to understand how environmental sources of variation influence phenotypic traits, and for developing management plans and making selection decisions.
Implications
Knowledge of repeatability (as an upper limit to heritability) can be used to make management decisions related to selection, culling and breeding, whereas understanding environmental effects can lead to better management recommendations (e.g. habitat-improvement projects).
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Kao RH, Gibson CM, Gallery RE, Meier CL, Barnett DT, Docherty KM, Blevins KK, Travers PD, Azuaje E, Springer YP, Thibault KM, McKenzie VJ, Keller M, Alves LF, Hinckley ELS, Parnell J, Schimel D. NEON terrestrial field observations: designing continental-scale, standardized sampling. Ecosphere 2012. [DOI: 10.1890/es12-00196.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Strasser CA, Hampton SE. The fractured lab notebook: undergraduates and ecological data management training in the United States. Ecosphere 2012. [DOI: 10.1890/es12-00139.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Browning DM, Duniway MC, Laliberte AS, Rango A. Hierarchical analysis of vegetation dynamics over 71 years: soil-rainfall interactions in a Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2012; 22:909-926. [PMID: 22645820 DOI: 10.1890/11-1193.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Proliferation of woody plants in grasslands and savannas is a persistent problem globally. This widely observed shift from grass to shrub dominance in rangelands worldwide has been heterogeneous in space and time largely due to cross-scale interactions among soils, climate, and land-use history. Our objective was to use a hierarchical framework to evaluate the relationship between spatial patterns in soil properties and long-term shrub dynamics in the northern Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico, USA. To meet this objective, shrub patch dynamics from 1937 to 2008 were characterized at patch and landscape scales using historical imagery and a recent digital soils map. Effects of annual precipitation on patch dynamics on two soils revealed strong correlations between shrub growth on deep sandy soils and above-average rainfall years (r = 0.671, P = 0.034) and shrub colonization and below-average rainfall years on shallow sandy soils (r = 0.705, P = 0.023). Patch-level analysis of demographic patterns revealed significant differences between shrub patches on deep and shallow sandy soils during periods of above- and below-average rainfall. Both deep and shallow sandy soils exhibited low shrub cover in 1937 (1.0% +/- 2.3% and 0.3% +/- 1.3%, respectively [mean +/- SD]) and were characterized by colonization or appearance of new patches until 1960. However, different demographic responses to the cessation of severe drought on the two soils and increased frequency of wet years after 1960 have resulted in very different endpoints. In 2008 a shrubland occupied the deep sandy soils with cover at 19.8% +/- 9.1%, while a shrub-dominated grassland occurred on the shallow sandy soils with cover at 9.3% +/- 7.2%. Present-day shrub vegetation constitutes a shifting mosaic marked by the coexistence of patches at different stages of development. Management implications of this long-term multi-scale assessment of vegetation dynamics support the notion that soil properties may constrain grassland remediation. Such efforts on sandy soils should be focused on sites characterized by near-surface water-holding capacity, as those lacking available water-holding capacity in the shallow root zone pose challenges to grass recovery and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn M Browning
- USDA-ARS, Jornada Experimental Range, P.O. Box 30003, MSC 3JER, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA.
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Fame, glory and neglect in meta-analyses. Trends Ecol Evol 2011; 26:493-4. [PMID: 21840081 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2011.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Revised: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 07/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Peters DPC, Lugo AE, Chapin FS, Pickett STA, Duniway M, Rocha AV, Swanson FJ, Laney C, Jones J. Cross-system comparisons elucidate disturbance complexities and generalities. Ecosphere 2011. [DOI: 10.1890/es11-00115.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Caro T. On the merits and feasibility of wildlife monitoring for conservation: a case study from Katavi National Park, Tanzania. Afr J Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2011.01268.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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