Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO)’s Post

A recent #ecology #research metastudy finds substantial numbers of studies being underpowered in statistical terms to estimate effect sizes of ecolgical factors right. Selection bias for statistical significance thresholds and 'unexpected findings' in #science thus remains a driver of biased estimates. The article well describes possible root causes: unconscious bias of investigators during data analysis, alongside the pull of success measures such as citation scores. This is notably not implying any fraudulence, while clearly marking the potential impact that circumstantial factors may have on giving us a wrong idea of environmental interactions. An important call for thought on a difficult challenge that has no simple resolve. But initiatives are emerging. To the article at 'Nature Ecology & Evolution': https://lnkd.in/ezsA2qN4

Although focused on ecology, the presented principles can be applied in other fields! https://lnkd.in/dRTfEM3Q "We acknowledge that it can be challenging for researchers to remain engaged with the complexities of statistical practice (...) it is our hope that clear guidance and critical engagement with statistical methods will help to build statistical competence and fluency" At the Advance Data Analysis unit GIMM, we aim to give that kind of guidance and support. Working alongside researchers to improve their statistical literacy and see the improvement in methodology but, above all else, in their understanding, is truly rewarding. #stats

Preparing your reading list for next week? Don't forget to have a look at our #ResearchHighlights so you can get the latest on #SeedScience! The need for mechanistic explanations in (seed) ecology. https://lnkd.in/ehMrT5HJ Large dataset analyses advance knowledge of seed ecology and evolutionary biology. https://lnkd.in/eiqM3DYj MicroRNA164e suppresses NAC100 transcription factor-mediated synthesis of seed storage proteins in chickpea. https://lnkd.in/eGiQ4kcg Co-repressors AtSDR4L and DIG1 interact with transcription factor VAL2 and promote Arabidopsis seed-to-seedling transition. https://lnkd.in/emJnmuzr Seeds in the guts: can seed traits explain seed survival after being digested by wild ungulates? https://lnkd.in/eRamD4Ga

Check out this ASAPbio blog post by Gracielle Higino on how a dedicated group of ECR's designed the change they wanted to see in peer review. Using the PREreview Review Assessment Rubric (part of the Open Reviewers Toolkit: prereview.org/resources) as a basis, they developed 'A crowdsourced kind peer review guide for ECRs in Ecology and Evolution' Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eP-eWF4i #peerreview #ecr #Ecology #researchevaluation

Iceworld Ecology: Bacteria In Earth's Arctic Seabed Are Active All Year Round #astrobiology #arctic #polar #microbiology

Looking for advice on statistics in ecology? Check out this new paper "Four principles for improved statistical ecology" in Methods in Ecology and Evolution by Popovic et al. #statistics #ecology https://lnkd.in/ep_6WRdP

Severe quality problems are found in all scientific fields now. A rather recent study in ecology (Nature) is shocking, but unfortunately not surprising: “In many scientific disciplines, common research practices have led to unreliable and exaggerated evidence about scientific phenomena” “In an analysis of over 350 studies published between 2018 and 2020, we detect empirical evidence of exaggeration bias and selective reporting of statistically significant results. This evidence implies that the published effect sizes in ecology journals exaggerate the importance of the ecological relationships that they aim to quantify.” Kaitlin Kimmel et al, Empirical evidence of widespread exaggeration bias and selective reporting in ecology, Nature Ecology (2023) https://lnkd.in/diR_3QHE

#ReviewArticle Review of the Scientific Literature on Biology, Ecology, and Aspects Related to the #Fishing Sector of the #StripedVenus (#Chameleagallina) in Northern Adriatic Sea https://lnkd.in/gFAhhYWc #mdpijmse via Bioscience Research Center Università degli Studi di Trieste Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta Agenzia Regionale per lo Sviluppo Rurale - Ersa #clams #hydraulicpumps #naturalresourcedepletion #speciesconservation #stocksustainability

Excited to share insights from our recent publication in Nature Ecology and Evolution, where we explore the concept of decolonizing science, particularly in the fields of ecology and conservation. Our discussion was sparked by a unique world map, placing Africa at the center and inverting the traditional north-south orientation. This seemingly simple choice revealed deeply ingrained biases and sparked intense debate, especially on social media. This map serves as a powerful symbol of the need to challenge and rethink the Eurocentric perspectives that dominate our understanding of the world. Findings go beyond geography, addressing how colonial norms have historically shaped the development of Ecology and Conservation as disciplines. As academics from the Global South with experience in Northern universities, we bring a unique perspective to this issue. Our work not only critiques the existing biases in science but also proposes practical steps towards more inclusive and ethical research practices. We delve into the broader impact of colonialism in Western Science, highlighting issues like linguistic bias in peer reviews and the displacement of indigenous communities. These issues underline the need for a shift in how we perceive and conduct scientific research. Our collection of essays is more than academic discourse; it's a call to action for the scientific community to acknowledge and rectify its historical biases. This is crucial in our global efforts to tackle challenges like climate change and future pandemics. We invite you to read more about our approach to decolonizing science and join the conversation on how we can reshape knowledge systems for a more inclusive future. Let's embrace diverse perspectives for a richer, more accurate understanding of our world. Read more here: @leafwarbler https://lnkd.in/eKC7QSCU #DecolonizingScience #Ecology #Conservation #GlobalPerspectives #InclusiveScience

PhD scholarship in aquatic ecology Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three-year PhD–position in aquatic ecology with focus on the ecology of mixotrophic phytoplankton. In recent decades, Gonyostomum semen has transitioned from being a rare species found only in bog ponds to becoming one of the most widespread algae in Northern and Eastern Europe. When G. semen becomes dominant in a lake, the amount of phytoplankton increases significantly, sometimes by an order of magnitude. This often occurs in lakes where other phytoplankton species are suppressed due to low concentrations of inorganic nutrients. The successful candidate will investigate how G. semen obtains nutrients from both allochthonous and autochthonous dissolved organic matter (DOM). This will involve analyzing different fractions of DOM, studying enzyme activity, and determining the relative importance of organic nutrients for the metabolism of G. semen using stable isotopes and labeled DOM. The project will include working with algal cultures in the laboratory and conducting fieldwork in lakes where G. semen is dominant. This research is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Research and Higher Education, with the intended start date being November 2024. #phd #research #aquaticecology https://lnkd.in/d2EjNucv