Institut für Landschafts- und Pflanzenökologie

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Ableitung von Restitutionspotenzialen als Entscheidungshilfe bei der Umsetzung von Moorschutzprogrammen
(2005) Röhl, Markus; Böcker, Reinhard
As one of the last peatland-rich states of Germany, Baden-Württemberg possesses no self-standing, conservation program to protect its peatlands. Therefore, after consideration of the state administration, a strategy should be created in the next few years for a Baden-Württemberg peatland protection concept. With this in mind, a methodology for the derivation of peatland restitution potential was developed that can direct the future implementation of such a strategy. The exemplary methodology was developed for the nature conservation area ?Schwenninger Moos?, a medium sized former raised bog strongly disturbed by peat digging and agricultural amelioration. The results were applied to the entire surrounding bio-geographical region, the Baar and the Baaralb. Through this verification of the methodology, significant shortfalls in the state-wide dataset could become evident. As the basis of the evaluation of the restitution potential, data concerning the water level, trophy, and species and biotypes in Schwenninger Moos were collected. The water level of Schwenninger Moos was documented through 34 water gauges, the data from which was analysed through various methods. The half-year median and the combined examination of amplitude, average, and minimum values proved especially suitable for the characterisation of the sites. The trophic classifications of the sites were compared through measuring the principal nutrient levels, pH and conductivity values, as well as the C/N ratio. The vegetation of the investigation area was mapped and the results were subsequently compared to the mapping of biotypes of Baden-Württemberg, the mapping performed in the frame of Natura 2000, as well as that of indicator species groups. The mapping of indicator-species groups proved particularly suitable for the appraisal of the current status of a moor complex. The available data on the mires from the peatland register of Baden-Württemberg were somewhat old (40 years). Therefore these data were verified through comparison-boring and continued measurement by means of georadar. Significant differences arose in a number of comparisons between the peatland register and the author?s investigations with respect to the positional accuracy and the stratum sequence. The derivation of the restitution potential was carried out through the combination of three separate assessments: rewetting-possibility, biotic potential, and conversion potential. These three factors were derived through verbal-argument and brought together in a simple, five-step classification. The rewetting-possibility of an area is the main factor determining the restitution, and it depends considerably on drainage systems, topography, condition of the peat, and the water level. The biotic potential consists of the presence of peat-producing plants and the effects of rewetting on populations of endangered species. The conversion potential is essentially dependent on the dominant uses, ownership and social framework. The methodology was applied to altogether 34 peatland complexes of the Baar and Baaralb. The identification of these locations was only possible by a laborious combination of the peatland register, pedological cartography and conservation-oriented publications. It was found that the peatland register exhibited substantial deficits regarding the classification of small and shallow-layered locations in the Baar. Data concerning vegetation and the occurrence of animals and plants were available for the derivation of the restitution potential. However, some of these proved too old and/or too inaccurate or not spatially verified. Little to no data were present as to the water balance and drainage systems. Only three of the 34 locations exhibited a high restitution potential. 23,5% were classified as having moderate restitution potential; most of these sites are already under protection as nature conservation sites. A slight restitution potential was present in a total of 38.2% of the mire complexes, which consist mostly of small-scale spring mires and intensively agriculturally and silviculturally used locations. Likewise, 29.4% of the moorlands exhibited no more restitution potential. For the implementation of a state-wide mire protection program in the context of the investigation, the substantial deficits were pointed out and recommendations for action were formulated. Primarily, an updated and complete peatland register must be available. Furthermore, vegetation and endangered species maps of the entire peatland complexes protected as high conservation value areas should be available. It is in this regard that a system of indicator vegetation units of south German mires is to be aimed for, as is employed in northeast Germany, for example. Lists of priority sites should be made by regional teams of experts for the respective moor regions or administrative districts.
Automatic classification of submerged macrophytes at Lake Constance using laser bathymetry point clouds
(2024) Wagner, Nike; Franke, Gunnar; Schmieder, Klaus; Mandlburger, Gottfried; Wagner, Nike; Department of Geodesy and Geoinformation, TU Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria;; Franke, Gunnar; Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology (320), University of Hohenheim, Ottilie-Zeller-Weg 2, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (G.F.); (K.S.); Schmieder, Klaus; Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology (320), University of Hohenheim, Ottilie-Zeller-Weg 2, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (G.F.); (K.S.); Mandlburger, Gottfried; Department of Geodesy and Geoinformation, TU Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria;; Stateczny, Andrzej
Submerged aquatic vegetation, also referred to as submerged macrophytes, provides important habitats and serves as a significant ecological indicator for assessing the condition of water bodies and for gaining insights into the impacts of climate change. In this study, we introduce a novel approach for the classification of submerged vegetation captured with bathymetric LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) as a basis for monitoring their state and change, and we validated the results against established monitoring techniques. Employing full-waveform airborne laser scanning, which is routinely used for topographic mapping and forestry applications on dry land, we extended its application to the detection of underwater vegetation in Lake Constance. The primary focus of this research lies in the automatic classification of bathymetric 3D LiDAR point clouds using a decision-based approach, distinguishing the three vegetation classes, (i) Low Vegetation, (ii) High Vegetation, and (iii) Vegetation Canopy, based on their height and other properties like local point density. The results reveal detailed 3D representations of submerged vegetation, enabling the identification of vegetation structures and the inference of vegetation types with reference to pre-existing knowledge. While the results within the training areas demonstrate high precision and alignment with the comparison data, the findings in independent test areas exhibit certain deficiencies that are likely addressable through corrective measures in the future.
Biomonitoring von Fluorwasserstoff
neue Ansätze zum Einsatz Höherer Pflanzen als Akkumulationsindikatoren
(2009) Blanckart, Peter; Fangmeier, Andreas
The standardised grass culture as described in VDI guideline 3957 sheet 2 has successfully been used for years to identify pollution related effects and to assess pollution load with hydrogen fluoride. At the moment, two directives are in preparation for the evaluation of the results from the exposure of standardised grass cultures which provide scales for judging and values for orientation on the basis of detailed studies. The directives will be published as VDI 3857 sheet 1 and sheet 2 as green print in 2009. The directive VDI 2310 sheet 3 is being revised as well. Its publication (green print) is also expected for 2009. According to no. 5.3 of the directive VDI 3957 sheet 2, samples with less than 2 g of dry substance have to be rejected. However, the rejection of these samples leads to a time gap for assessing of 14 days or even of 4 weeks. In this context it should be tested how the accumulation of fluoride after exposure with air containing hydrogen fluoride would be affected at lower growth rates. It should also be tested if samples of exposed grass with a minimum weight of less than the required 2 g of dry substance can be used for determining the pollution situation. To evaluate these problems, exposures were performed with standardised grass cultures and with modified methodology in an area ? the city of Ransbach-Baumbach ? which is highly contaminated by fluorides. Parallel to bioindication, the fluoride concentration in the air was assessed with radial symmetric passive samplers as a physicochemical method. By this means a direct comparison of the concentration of air pollutants with the pollutant concentration in the grass could be performed. The tests confirmed that the study area is indeed quite contaminated with fluoride from anthropogenic sources. The area around Ransbach-Baumbach can be considered as a hot-spot for higher fluoride concentrations within Germany. The results confirm that fluoride pollution in Central Europe is still an ongoing problem, even though the pollution is mostly scattered and small scale limited. Therefore, evaluation fundamentals for bioindication methods for fluoride (passive and active) should be worked out for the future, although fluoride accumulations are no longer regularly determined in large scale bioindication monitoring networks. The application of Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. as an accumulation indicator as a possible alternative to Lolium multiflorum Lam. could not be confirmed in this study; the deviations of fluoride concentrations in Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. and in Lolium multiflorum Lam. were too large in the spatiotemporal comparison. The measurements performed with radialsymmetric passive samplers did not show a good relationship between the hydrogen fluoride concentration in the air and the fluoride concentration F- [µg g-1 ds] in the Lolium grass cultures. There were only very low correlations between the fluoride concentration and the increase of biomass as raw and dry weight of Lolium multiflorum Lam. (R2 of 0.0258 and 0.0099 at two measurement stations, respectively). Since conventionally an R2 of ≥ 0,6 is required to indicate significant relationships in ecological/ecotoxicological field studies, no link between the increase of biomass and fluoride concentration for the accumulation indicator Lolium multiflorum Lam. is concluded. Therefore, it is recommended to revise the VDI guideline 3957 sheet 2 so that standardised grass culture samples of less than 2 g dry substance are also accounted for in the determination of the accumulation of air pollutants like fluoride in plants.
Bird and insect pollinators differ in specialization and potential pollination services along disturbance and resource gradients
(2023) Neu, Alexander; Cooksley, Huw; Esler, Karen J.; Pauw, Anton; Roets, Francois; Schurr, Frank M.; Schleuning, Matthias
Combined studies of the communities and interaction networks of bird and insect pollinators are rare, especially along environmental gradients. Here, we determined how disturbance by fire and variation in sugar resources shape pollinator communities and interactions between plants and their pollinating insects and birds. We recorded insect and bird visits to 21 Protea species across 21 study sites and for 2 years in Fynbos ecosystems in the Western Cape, South Africa. We recorded morphological traits of all pollinator species (41 insect and nine bird species). For each site, we obtained estimates of the time since the last fire (range: 2–25 calendar years) and the Protea nectar sugar amount per hectare (range: 74–62 000 g/ha). We tested how post‐fire age and sugar amount influence the total interaction frequency, species richness and functional diversity of pollinator communities, as well as pollinator specialization (the effective number of plant partners) and potential pollination services (pollination service index) of insects and birds. We found little variation in the total interaction frequency, species richness and functional diversity of insect and bird pollinator communities, but insect species richness increased with post‐fire age. Pollinator specialization and potential pollination services of insects and birds varied differently along the environmental gradients. Bird pollinators visited fewer Protea species at sites with high sugar amount, while there was no such trend for insects. Potential pollination services of insect pollinators to Protea species decreased with increasing post‐fire age and resource amounts, whereas potential pollination services of birds remained constant along the environmental gradients. Despite little changes in pollinator communities, our analyses reveal that insect and bird pollinators differ in their specialization on Protea species and show distinct responses to disturbance and resource gradients. Our comparative study of bird and insect pollinators demonstrates that birds may be able to provide more stable pollination services than insects.
Development of assessment tools for Lake Sevan (Armenia) by the application of remote sensing data and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques
(2011) Agyemang, Thomas Kwaku; Schmieder, Klaus
Lake Sevan is the biggest source of water in Armenia. Its littoral zone, in addition to being a food source and a substrate for macrophytes, algae and invertebrates, provide refuge and spawning habitats for both young & old organisms especially fishes. Between 1933 and 1960s, the lake level had been lowered by 20 m below the original level by increasing the lake outflow intermittently for irrigation and electricity generation. This evidently had ecological and economical consequences on the lake ecosystem. The importance of assessing the accuracy of spatial data classifications derived from remote sensing methods and used in geographic information system (GIS) analyses has been regarded as a critical component of many projects. In this project, supervised classified QuickBird satellite imageries of both submersed macrophytes and landcover types (emersed vegetation) of the Gavaraget, Tsovazard and Masrik Regions of the study area were validated in a GIS environment. The results of these assessments were represented by error matrices presenting the overall accuracy, the user and producer accuracies in each category, as well as the kappa coefficients. For submersed macrophytes at the vegetation level, the overall accuracy ranging between 77-88% was achieved in all the investigation years. Alga blooms in the different years impacted on the accuracy of the classification. However, even through severe algal blooms user accuracies between 55% and 95% were achieved. On the other hand, at the growth type level, the overall accuracy was as high as over 70% and as low as below 49%. For emersed vegetation types, predominantly high overall accuracies of more than 70% were obtained in 2 of the investigation years. Above all, in 2008, only slight overall accuracy could be obtained. For reeds areas, high user accuracies of more than 78% could be obtained, while for shrubs, trees, no vegetation and grasses in the different years, very different classification accuracies were attained. Two habitat suitability models (one for fishes and one for birds) were built in a GIS environment in this project. While the Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus Gibelio Bloch) was chosen as lead species for the fish habitat, the Common Coot (Fulica atra) and the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) were chosen for the bird habitat models based on expert knowledge on Lake Sevan. Five fish habitat suitability classes were assigned in the model. There was a similar trend in the fish habitat areas in all the landscapes in Gavaraget, Tsovazard and Masrik regions. The habitat areas increased in 2007 and decreased in 2008. The increases in all the regions were the same (around 43%) while the highest reduction occurred in Gavaraget (47%) followed by Masrik (38%) and Tsovazard (25%) respectively. Apart from the reductions in habitat areas in 2008, there were severe decreases in the quality of the habitat areas in all the regions of interests. The increases and decreases were as a result of interannual fluctuations due to water level fluctuations and algal blooms of Lake Sevan. Also, for the bird habitat model, five classes were assigned. Tsovazard and Masrik had a similar trend in habitat areas with an initial increase in 2007 followed by a decrease in 2008. However, Gavaraget had reductions in 2007 and 2008. Again, in addition to the severe reductions in the habitat areas in 2008, there were severe decreases in the quality of the habitat areas in all the regions of interests. The changes in emersed macrophyte vegetations and the lake water level fluctuations effected the different changes in the bird habitat areas.
Evaluation der Richtlinienkonformität von Verträglichkeitsprüfungen nach Artikel 6 Flora-Fauna-Habitat-Richtlinie in der Planungspraxis
(2011) Matthäus, Gunther; Dieterich, Martin
The dissertation presents findings of a study on the practical implementation of the Habitats Direktive, Art. 6 (3). The formal und methodological quality of 50 appropriate assessments according to the Habitats-Direktive was analysed. Overall, a solid or even high to very high level of quality was found. Only few assessments exhibited serious shortcomings or mistakes with relevant effects on the finding of the assessments. These shortcomings coud be avoided by the introdiktion of binding quality standards.
Floral visitation to alien plants is non‐linearly related to their phylogenetic and floral similarity to native plants
(2022) Razanajatovo, Mialy; Rakoto Joseph, Felana; Rajaonarivelo Andrianina, Princy; van Kleunen, Mark
Biological invasions are key to understanding ecological processes that determine the formation of novel interactions. Alien species can negatively impact floral visitation to native species, but native species may also facilitate early establishment of closely related alien species by providing a preadapted pollinator community. We tested whether floral visitation to alien species depended on phylogenetic relatedness and floral similarity to native species. In a field experiment, we simulated the early stages of an invasion by adding potted alien plants into co‐flowering native communities. We paired each alien plant with a host native plant, and recorded floral visitation to them for 3,068 hr (totalling 84,814 visits). We used 34 alien and 20 native species in 151 species combinations. We tested whether the number of floral visits to alien plants, the proportion of visits to alien plant relative to visits to both alien and native plants, and the similarity in flower visitor compositions of alien and native plants depended on phylogenetic and floral trait distances between alien and native species. Floral visitation to alien species was highest when they had intermediate floral trait distances to native species, and either low or high phylogenetic distances. Alien species received more similar flower‐visitor groups to natives when they had low phylogenetic and either low or high floral trait distances to native species. Co‐flowering native species may facilitate floral visitation to closely related alien species, and distantly related alien plants seem to avoid competition for flower visitors with native plants. Alien species with similar floral traits to natives compete with them for flower visitors, and alien species with dissimilar floral traits may not share flower visitors with native species. Alien species with intermediate floral trait distances to natives are most likely to receive flower visitors, as they are not too dissimilar and may still share flower visitors with native species, but not too similar to compete for flower visitors with them. The non‐linear patterns between floral visitation and similarity of the alien and native species suggest that an interplay of facilitation and competition simultaneously drives the formation of novel plant‐pollinator interactions.
Increases in functional diversity of mountain plant communities is mainly driven by species turnover under climate change
(2023) Schuchardt, Max A.; Berauer, Bernd J.; Duc, Anh Le; Ingrisch, Johannes; Niu, Yujie; Bahn, Michael; Jentsch, Anke
Warming in mountain regions is projected to be three times faster than the global average. Pronounced climate change will likely lead to species reshuffling in mountain plant communities and consequently change ecosystem resilience and functioning. Yet, little is known about the role of inter‐ versus intraspecific changes of plant traits and their consequences for functional richness and evenness of mountain plant communities under climate change. We performed a downslope translocation experiment of intact plant‐soil mesocosms from an alpine pasture and a subalpine grassland in the Swiss and Austrian Alps to simulate an abrupt shift in climate and removal of dispersal barriers. Translocated plant communities experienced warmer and dryer climatic conditions. We found a considerable shift from resource conservative to resource acquisitive leaf‐economy in the two climate change scenarios. However, shifts in leaf‐economy were mainly attributable to species turnover, namely colonization by novel lowland species with trait expressions for a wider range of resource use. We also found an increase in vegetative height of the warmed and drought‐affected alpine plant community, while trait plasticity to warming and drought was limited to few graminoid species of the subalpine plant community. Our results highlight the contrast between the strong competitive potential of novel lowland species in quickly occupying available niche space and native species' lack of both the intraspecific trait variability and the plant functional trait expressions needed to increase functional richness under warming and drought. This is particularly important for the trailing range of many mountain species (i.e. subalpine zone) where upward moving lowland species are becoming more abundant and abiotic climate stressors are likely to become more frequent in the near future. Our study emphasizes mountain plant communities' vulnerability to novel climates and biotic interactions under climate change and highlights graminoid species as potential winners of a warmer and dryer future. Keywords: alpine grassland, functional diversity, invasion, species turnover, traitspace, translocation
Interactions between protea plants and their animal mutualists and antagonists are structured more by energetic than morphological trait matching
(2022) Neu, Alexander; Cooksley, Huw; Esler, Karen J.; Pauw, Anton; Roets, Francois; Schurr, Frank M.; Schleuning, Matthias
Traits mediate mutualistic and antagonistic interactions between plants and animals, and should thus be useful for predicting trophic species interactions. Studies to date have examined the importance of morphological trait matching for plant–animal interactions, but have rarely explored the extent to which these interactions are shaped by matching between energetic provisions of plants and energetic demands of animals. We tested whether energetic and/or morphological trait matching shapes interactions between Protea plant species and their interacting animal mutualists and antagonists in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. We recorded interactions between 22 Protea species, pollinating insects and vertebrates as well as seed predators (endophagous insect larvae in protea cones) at 21 study sites. To relate species interactions to matching trait pairs, we measured key morphological traits (shape and size of flower heads and seed cones, and mouth part length as well as body length) and quantified the animals' energetic demands (metabolic rate) together with the plants' energetic provisions (nectar sugar amount, seed‐to‐cone mass ratio). We calculated log ratios of both energetic and morphological traits between animals and plants as predictor variables for the number of observed interactions between Protea species and their animal interaction partners. For both mutualistic and antagonistic interactions, we found significant effects of morphological and energetic trait ratios on the interactions between plants and animals. Trait ratios accounted for 11% to 22% of variation in species interactions. Consistent with energetic trait matching, we found a hump‐shaped relationship between interaction frequency and log ratios of energetic traits of animals and plants, indicating that interactions were most frequent at intermediate log ratios between energetic demand and provision. Effects of morphological trait ratios on interactions were statistically supported in most cases, but were variable in the magnitude and shape of the predicted relationships. Across animal taxa and interaction types, energetic traits had more consistent effects on interactions between plants and animals than morphological traits. This suggests that energy can function as an important interaction currency and facilitate the understanding and prediction of trophic species interactions.
Nitrogen dynamics of grassland soils with differing habitat quality: high temporal resolution captures the details
(2023) Kukowski, Sina; Ruser, Reiner; Piepho, Hans‐Peter; Gayler, Sebastian; Streck, Thilo
Excessive nitrogen (N) input is one of the major threats for species‐rich grasslands. The ongoing deterioration of habitat quality highlights the necessity to further investigate underlying N turnover processes. Our objectives were (1) to quantify gross and net rates of mineral N production (mineralization and nitrification) and consumption in seminatural grasslands in southwest Germany, with excellent or poor habitat quality, (2) to monitor the temporal variability of these processes, and (3) to investigate differences between calcareous and decalcified soils. In 2016 and 2017, gross N turnover rates were measured using the 15N pool dilution technique in situ on four Arrhenatherion meadows in biweekly cycles between May and November. Simultaneously, net rates of mineralization and nitrification, soil temperature, and moisture were measured. The vegetation was mapped, and basic soil properties were determined. The calcareous soils showed higher gross nitrification rates compared with gross mineralization. In contrast, nitrification was inhibited in the decalcified soils, most likely due to the low pH, and mineralization was the dominant process. Both mineralization and nitrification were characterized by high temporal variability (especially the former) and short residence times of N in the corresponding pools (<2 days) at all sites. This illustrates that high temporal resolution is necessary during the growing season to detect N mineralization patterns and capture variability. Parallel determination of net N turnover rates showed almost no variability, highlighting that net rates are not suitable for drawing conclusions about actual gross turnover rates. During the growing season, the data show no clear relationship between soil temperature/soil moisture and gross N turnover rates. For future experiments, recording of microbial biomass, dissolved organic matter, and root N uptake should be considered.
Quantifying patch‐specific seed dispersal and local population dynamics to estimate population spread of an endangered plant species
(2021) Zhu, Jinlei; Hrušková, Karolína; Pánková, Hana; Münzbergová, Zuzana
Aim: Habitat loss and fragmentation impose high extinction risk upon endangered plant species globally. For many endangered plant species, as the remnant habitats become smaller and more fragmented, it is vital to estimate the population spread rate of small patches in order to effectively manage and preserve them for potential future range expansion. However, population spread rate has rarely been quantified at the patch level to inform conservation strategies and management decisions. To close this gap, we quantify the patch-specific seed dispersal and local population dynamics of Minuartia smejkalii, which is a critically endangered plant species endemic in the Czech Republic and is of urgent conservation concern. Location: Želivka and Hrnčíře, Czechia. Methods: We conducted demographic analyses using population projection matrices with long-term demographic data and used an analytic mechanistic dispersal model to simulate seed dispersal. We then used information on local population dynamics and seed dispersal to estimate the population spread rate and compared the relative contributions of seed dispersal and population growth rate to the population spread rate. Results: We found that although both seed dispersal and population growth rate in M. smejkalii were critically limited, the population spread rate depended more strongly on the maximal dispersal distance than on the population growth rate. Main conclusions We recommend conservationists to largely increase the dispersal distance of M. smejkalii. Generally, efforts made to increase seed dispersal ability could largely raise efficiency and effectiveness of conservation actions for critically endangered plant species.
Same data, different analysts: variation in effect sizes due to analytical decisions in ecology and evolutionary biology
(2025) Gould, Elliot; Berauer, Bernd J.; Ernst, Ulrich Rainer; Zitomer, Rachel A.; Gould, Elliot; School of Agriculture Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Fraser, Hannah S.; School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Parker, Timothy H.; Department of Biology, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Ave, 99362, Walla Walla, WA, USA; Nakagawa, Shinichi; School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Griffith, Simon C.; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Rd, Macquarie Park, 2109, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Vesk, Peter A.; School of Agriculture Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Fidler, Fiona; School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Hamilton, Daniel G.; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 750 Collins Street, 3008, Docklands, VIC, Australia; Abbey-Lee, Robin N.; Länsstyrelsen Östergötland, Östgötagatan 3, 58186, Linköping, Sweden; Abbott, Jessica K.; Biology Department, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, 22362, Lund, Sweden; Aguirre, Luis A.; Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, 1 Campus Center Way, 01003, Amherst, MA, USA; Alcaraz, Carles; Marine and Continental Waters, IRTA, Carretera Poble Nou Km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Catalonia, Spain; Aloni, Irith; Department of Life Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.Box 653, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel; Altschul, Drew; Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, EH9 1HB, Edinburgh, UK; Arekar, Kunal; Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute of Science, 560012, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India; Atkins, Jeff W.; Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, PO Box 700, 29809, New Ellenton, SC, USA; Atkinson, Joe; Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114-116, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark; Baker, Christopher M.; School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Barrett, Meghan; Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 420 University Blvd, 46202, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Bell, Kristian; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, 3125, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Bello, Suleiman Kehinde; Department of Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, 80200, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Beltrán, Iván; Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, 205ACR Culloden Road, 2113, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia; Berauer, Bernd J.; Department of Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, Ottilie-Zeller-Weg, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Bertram, Michael Grant; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, SE-907 36, Umeå, Sweden; Billman, Peter D.; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 75 N. Eagleville Rd, 06226, Storrs, CT, USA; Blake, Charlie K.; STEM Center, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 1 Hairpin Dr, 62026, Edwardsville, IL, USA; Blake, Shannon; University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, N1G 2W1, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Bliard, Louis; Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland; Bonisoli-Alquati, Andrea; Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, USA; Bonnet, Timothée; Centre d’Études Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, Université de la Rochelle - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 405 route de Prissé la Charrière, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France; Bordes, Camille Nina Marion; Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 529000, Israel; Bose, Aneesh P. H.; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, SE-907 36, Umeå, Sweden; Botterill-James, Thomas; School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, TAS, Private Bag 55, 7001, Hobart, Australia; Boyd, Melissa Anna; Whitebark Institute, 3399 Main Street, Suite W5, 93546, Mammoth Lakes, CA, USA; Boyle, Sarah A.; Department of Biology, Rhodes College, 2000 N. 38112, Parkway, Memphis, TN, USA; Bradfer-Lawrence, Tom; Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, 2 Lochside View, EH12 9DH, Edinburgh, UK; Bradham, Jennifer; Environmental Studies, Wofford College, 429 N. Church St, 29303, Spartanburg, SC, USA; Brand, Jack A.; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, SE-907 36, Umeå, Sweden; Brengdahl, Martin I.; IFM Biology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden; Bulla, Martin; Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha - Suchdol, Czech Republic; Bussière, Luc; Biological and Environmental Sciences & Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 7B, SE-413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden; Camerlenghi, Ettore; School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Rainforest Walk 25, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Campbell, Sara E.; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 569 Dabney Hall, 37996, Knoxville, TN, USA; Campos, Leonardo L. F.; Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, UFSC, Campus Universitário - Córrego Grande Florianópolis – SC; CEP, 88040-900, Florianópolis, Brazil; Caravaggi, Anthony; School of Biological and Forensic Sciences, University of South Wales, The Alfred Russel Wallace Building, 9 Graig Fach, CF37 4BB, Glyntaff, Pontypridd, UK; Cardoso, Pedro; Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) &, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal; Carroll, Charles J. W.; Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, 1472 Campus Delivery, 80523-1472, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Catanach, Therese A.; Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 19096, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chen, Xuan; Salisbury University, 1101 Camden Ave, 21801, Biology, Salisbury, MD, USA; Chik, Heung Ying Janet; Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, Netherlands; Choy, Emily Sarah; Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, L8S 4K1, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Christie, Alec Philip; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing St, CB2 3EJ, Cambridge, UK; Chuang, Angela; Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Rd, 33850, Lake Alfred, FL, USA; Chunco, Amanda J.; Environmental Studies, Elon University, McMichael Science Building, 2625 Campus Box, 27244, Elon, NC, USA; Clark, Bethany L.; BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, CB2 3QZ, Cambridge, UK; Contina, Andrea; School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, One West University Boulevard, 78520, Brownsville, TX, USA; Covernton, Garth A.; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks St, M5S 3B2, Toronto, ON, Canada; Cox, Murray P.; Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Cressman, Kimberly A.; LLC, Catbird Stats, PO Box 2018, 39553, Gautier, MS, USA; Crotti, Marco; School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, UK; Crouch, Connor Davidson; School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, 200 E Pine Knoll Dr. 86001, Flagstaff, AZ, USA; D’Amelio, Pietro B.; Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse, 82319, Seewiesen, Oberbayern, Germany; de Sousa, Alexandra Allison; School of Sciences: Center for Health and Cognition, Bath Spa University, BA2 9BN, Newton Park, Bath, UK; Döbert, Timm Fabian; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, T6G 2R3, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Dobler, Ralph; Applied Zoology, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01217, Dresden, TUDresden, Germany; Dobson, Adam J.; School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8Qq, Glasgow, UK; Doherty, Tim S.; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, 2006, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Drobniak, Szymon Marian; Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland; Duffy, Alexandra Grace; Biology Department, Brigham Young University, 4102 Life Science Building, Provo, UT, USA; Duncan, Alison B.; Institute of Evolutionary Sciences Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France; Dunn, Robert P.; Baruch Marine Field Laboratory, University of South Carolina, 2306 Crabhaul Rd, 29440, Georgetown, SC, USA; Dunning, Jamie; Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Buckhurst road, SL5 7PY, Berkshire, UK; Dutta, Trishna; European Forest Institute, Platz d. Vereinten Nationen 7, 53113, Bonn, Germany; Eberhart-Hertel, Luke; Department of Ornithology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Eberhard-Gwinner Str. 7, 82319, Seewiesen, Germany; Elmore, Jared Alan; Forestry and Environmental Conservation, National Bobwhite and Grassland Initiative, Clemson University, 243 Lehotsky Hall, 29634, Clemson, SC, USA; Elsherif, Mahmoud Medhat; Department of Psychology and Vision Science, University of Birmingham, 52 Pritchatts Road. Edgbaston, B15 2TT, Baily Thomas GrantBirmingham, UK; English, Holly M.; School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Belfield, Ireland; Ensminger, David C.; Department of Biological Sciences, San José State University, 129 S 10th Street, 95112, San Jose, CA, USA; Ernst, Ulrich Rainer; Apicultural State Institute, University of Hohenheim, Erna-Hruschka-Weg 6, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Ferguson, Stephen M.; Department of Biology, St. Norbert College, 100 Grant St, 54115, De Pere, WI, USA; Fernandez-Juricic, Esteban; Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W. State Street, 47907, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Ferreira-Arruda, Thalita; Biodiversity, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Macroecology & BiogeographyBüsgenweg 1, 37077, Göttingen, Germany; Fieberg, John; Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, 55108, St. Paul, MN, USA; Finch, Elizabeth A.; CABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, UK; Fiorenza, Evan A.; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, 321 Steinhaus Hall, 92697, IrvineIrvine, CA, USA; Fisher, David N.; School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, King Street, AB244FX, Aberdeen, UK; Fontaine, Amélie; Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, H9X 3V9, Montreal, QC, Canada; Forstmeier, Wolfgang; Department of Ornithology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Eberhard-Gwinner Str. 7, 82319, Seewiesen, Germany; Fourcade, Yoan; Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (iEES), Univ. Paris-Est Creteil, 61 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010, Créteil, France; Frank, Graham S.; Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, 321 Richardson Hall, 97331, Corvallis, OR, USA; Freund, Cathryn A.; Wake Forest University, 1834 Wake Forest Road, 27109, Winston Salem, NC, USA; Fuentes-Lillo, Eduardo; Laboratorio de Invasiones Biológicas (LIB), Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Victoria 631, Concepción, Chile; Gandy, Sara L.; Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, UK; Gannon, Dustin G.; Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, College of Forestry, Oregon State University, 97333, Corvallis, OR, USA; García-Cervigón, Ana I.; Biodiversity and Conservation Area, Rey Juan Carlos University, C/ Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain; Garretson, Alexis C.; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Ave #813, 02111, Boston, MA, USA; Ge, Xuezhen; Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, N1G 2W1, Guelph, ON, Canada; Geary, William L.; School of Life and Environmental Sciences (Burwood Campus), Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Géron, Charly; CNRS, University of Rennes, 263 Avenue du Général Leclerc, 35042, Rennes, France; Gilles, Marc; Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany; Girndt, Antje; Fakultät für Biologie, Arbeitsgruppe Evolutionsbiologie, Universität Bielefeld, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany; Gliksman, Daniel; Chair of Meteorology, Institute for Hydrology and Meteorology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Pienner Str. 23, 01737, Tharandt, Germany; Goldspiel, Harrison B.; Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, 5755 Nutting Hall, Room 210, 04469-5755, Orono, ME, USA; Gomes, Dylan G. 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University Ave, 48109, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Greenler, Skye M.; College of Forestry, Oregon State University, 3100 SW Jefferson Way, 97333, Corvallis, OR, USA; Griffioen, Maaike; University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, België, Belgium; Griffith, Daniel M.; Earth & Environmental Sciences, Wesleyan University, 45 Wyllys Ave, 06459, Middletown, CT, USA; Griffith, Frances J.; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 389 Whitney Ave, 06511, New Haven, CT, USA; Grossman, Jake J.; Biology Department and Environmental Studies Department, St. Olaf College, 1520 St Olaf Ave, 55057, Northfield, MN, USA; Güncan, Ali; Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ordu University, Ordu University, 52200, Altinordu/Ordu, Turkey; Haesen, Stef; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001, Leuven, Belgium; Hagan, James G.; Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden; Hager, Heather A.; Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave West, N2L 3C5, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Harris, Jonathan Philo; Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, 2310 Pammel Dr, 50011, Ames, IA, USA; Harrison, Natasha Dean; School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, 6009, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; Hasnain, Sarah Syedia; Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Üniversiteler Mahallesi, Dumlupınar Bulvarı No: 1, 06800, Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey; Havird, Justin Chase; Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin,2415 Speedway #C0930, Austin, TX, USA; Heaton, Andrew J.; Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 6005 Bayou Heron Rd, 39562, Moss Point, MS, USA; Herrera-Chaustre, María Laura; Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 # 18A-12, Bogotá, Colombia; Howard, Tanner J.; School of Agriculture Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Hsu, Bin-Yan; Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turun Yliopisto, FI-20014, Turku, Finland; Iannarilli, Fabiola; Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, 55108, St. Paul, MN, USA; Iranzo, Esperanza C.; Instituto de Ciencia Animal. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja s/n, Valdivia, Chile; Iverson, Erik N. K.; Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway #C0930, 78712, Austin, Texas, USA; Jimoh, Saheed Olaide; Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, 82071, Laramie, WY, USA; Johnson, Douglas H.; Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, 55108, St. Paul, MN, USA; Johnsson, Martin; Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Jorna, Jesse; Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University, 84602, Provo, UT, USA; Jucker, Tommaso; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TQ, Bristol, UK; Jung, Martin; International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria; Kačergytė, Ineta; Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls Väg 16, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Kaltz, Oliver; Université de Montpellier, ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, 34000, Montpellier, IRD, France; Ke, Alison; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, 1 Shields Ave, 95616, DavisDavis, CA, USA; Kelly, Clint D.; Département des Sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, 141 Avenue du Président-Kennedy, H2X 1Y4, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Keogan, Katharine; Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, EH9 3JW, Edinburgh, UK; Keppeler, Friedrich Wolfgang; Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 680 N Park St, 53706, Madison, WI, USA; Killion, Alexander K.; Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, 165 Prospect St, 06511, New Haven, CT, USA; Kim, Dongmin; Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford Cir, 55108, St. PaulSt Paul, MN, USA; Kochan, David P.; Institute of Environment and Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st St, 33181, North Miami, FL, USA; Korsten, Peter; Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA, Penglais, Aberystwyth, UK; Kothari, Shan; Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Université de Montréal, 4101, H1X 2B2, Sherbrooke St E, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Kuppler, Jonas; Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany; Kusch, Jillian M.; Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 45 Arctic Ave, A1C5S7, St John’s NL, Canada; Lagisz, Malgorzata; Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, High Street 2052, Kensington, NSW, Australia; Lalla, Kristen Marianne; Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, H9X 3V9, Montreal, QC, Canada; Larkin, Daniel J.; Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, 55108, St. Paul, MN, USA; Larson, Courtney L.; The Nature Conservancy, 258 Main Street, 82520, Lander, WY, USA; Lauck, Katherine S.; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, 1 Shields Ave, 95616, DavisDavis, CA, USA; Lauterbur, M. Elise; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, 1041 E Lowell St, 85721, Tucson, AZ, USA; Law, Alan; Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Cottrell Building, FK9 4LA, Stirling, UK; Léandri-Breton, Don-Jean; Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, H9X 3V9, Montreal, QC, Canada; Lembrechts, Jonas J.; Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; L’Herpiniere, Kiara; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Rd, Macquarie Park, 2109, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Lievens, Eva J. P.; Aquatic Ecology and Evolution Group, Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Mainaustraße 252, 78464, Konstanz, Germany; de Lima, Daniela Oliveira; Campus Cerro Largo, Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Rua Jacob Haupenthal, 158097900-000, Cerro Largo, RS, CEP, Brazil; Lindsay, Shane; School of Psychology and Social Work, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, HU6 7RX, Hull, UK; Luquet, Martin; UMR 1224, ECOBIOP, Université de Pau et des Pays de l′Adour, 173 Route de Saint-Jean-de-Luz, 64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France; MacLeod, Ross; School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, L3 3AF, Liverpool, UK; Macphie, Kirsty H.; Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, The University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, EH9 3FL, Edinburgh, UK; Magellan, Kit; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Mair, Magdalena M.; Statistical Ecotoxicology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany; Malm, Lisa E.; Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Linnaeus väg 6, 907 36, Umeå, Sweden; Mammola, Stefano; Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 28922, Corso Tonolli 50, Verbania, Italy; Mandeville, Caitlin P.; Department of Natural History, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 1, 7034, Trondheim, Norway; Manhart, Michael; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 679 Hoes Lane West, 08854, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Manrique-Garzon, Laura Milena; Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 Nº 18A - 12, 111711, Bogotá, Bogotá D. 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Beach Drive, 39564, Ocean Springs, MS, USA; Ramananjato, Veronarindra; Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Valley Life Science Building 5075, 94720, BerkeleyBerkeley, CA, USA; Randimbiarison, Finaritra Tolotra; Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Mention Zoologie et Biodiversié Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, BP 906, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar; Razafindratsima, Onja H.; Department of Integrative Biology, Valley Life Sciences Building 3140, University of California, University of California Berkeley, 94720, BerkeleyBerkeley, CA, USA; Rennison, Diana J.; Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, 92093, La Jolla, CA, USA; Riva, Federico; Institute for Environmental Sciences, VU Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1111, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Riyahi, Sepand; Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1 (UBB), 1030, Wien, Austria; Roast, Michael James; Konrad Lorenz Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstrasse 1A, 1160, Vienna, Austria; Rocha, Felipe Pereira; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China; Roche, Dominique G.; Institut de biologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Román-Palacios, Cristian; School of Information, University of Arizona, 1103 E. 2nd St, 85721, Tucson, AZ, USA; Rosenberg, Michael S.; Center for Biological Data Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842030, 1000 W. 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Although variation in effect sizes and predicted values among studies of similar phenomena is inevitable, such variation far exceeds what might be produced by sampling error alone. One possible explanation for variation among results is differences among researchers in the decisions they make regarding statistical analyses. A growing array of studies has explored this analytical variability in different fields and has found substantial variability among results despite analysts having the same data and research question. Many of these studies have been in the social sciences, but one small “many analyst” study found similar variability in ecology. We expanded the scope of this prior work by implementing a large-scale empirical exploration of the variation in effect sizes and model predictions generated by the analytical decisions of different researchers in ecology and evolutionary biology. We used two unpublished datasets, one from evolutionary ecology (blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus , to compare sibling number and nestling growth) and one from conservation ecology ( Eucalyptus , to compare grass cover and tree seedling recruitment). The project leaders recruited 174 analyst teams, comprising 246 analysts, to investigate the answers to prespecified research questions. Analyses conducted by these teams yielded 141 usable effects (compatible with our meta-analyses and with all necessary information provided) for the blue tit dataset, and 85 usable effects for the Eucalyptus dataset. We found substantial heterogeneity among results for both datasets, although the patterns of variation differed between them. For the blue tit analyses, the average effect was convincingly negative, with less growth for nestlings living with more siblings, but there was near continuous variation in effect size from large negative effects to effects near zero, and even effects crossing the traditional threshold of statistical significance in the opposite direction. In contrast, the average relationship between grass cover and Eucalyptus seedling number was only slightly negative and not convincingly different from zero, and most effects ranged from weakly negative to weakly positive, with about a third of effects crossing the traditional threshold of significance in one direction or the other. However, there were also several striking outliers in the Eucalyptus dataset, with effects far from zero. For both datasets, we found substantial variation in the variable selection and random effects structures among analyses, as well as in the ratings of the analytical methods by peer reviewers, but we found no strong relationship between any of these and deviation from the meta-analytic mean. In other words, analyses with results that were far from the mean were no more or less likely to have dissimilar variable sets, use random effects in their models, or receive poor peer reviews than those analyses that found results that were close to the mean. The existence of substantial variability among analysis outcomes raises important questions about how ecologists and evolutionary biologists should interpret published results, and how they should conduct analyses in the future.
Simulating the spread and establishment of alien species along aquatic and terrestrial transport networks: A multi‐pathway and high‐resolution approach
(2022) Bagnara, Maurizio; Nowak, Larissa; Boehmer, Hans Juergen; Schöll, Franz; Schurr, Frank M.; Seebens, Hanno
The introduction and further spread of many alien species have been a result of trade and transport. Consequently, alien species are often found close to traffic infrastructure and urban areas. To contain and manage the spread of alien species, it is essential to identify and predict major routes of spread, which cannot be obtained by applying common modelling approaches such as species distribution models. Here, we present a new model called CASPIAN to simulate the dispersal of alien species along traffic infrastructure and the establishment of populations along these routes. The model simulates simultaneous spread of species of up to eight different modes of transport along roads, railways and waterways. We calibrated and validated the model using two species that spread within Germany as case studies: the terrestrial plant Senecio inaequidens and the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea, and performed a shortest path analysis to quantify the relative importance of individual routes for spread. The application of the model yielded detailed predictions of dispersal and establishment for >600,000 segments of the traffic network throughout Germany. Once calibrated, the model captured the general spread dynamics of the two species with higher accuracy for the freshwater environment due to the higher quality of data available for the aquatic species. The quantification of spread routes using the shortest path analysis revealed a clear backbone of major routes of spread, which varied depending on the type of traffic network and the starting points considered. Major routes of spread aligned with high traffic intensities, but high traffic per se did not necessarily result in high spread intensities. Synthesis and application. By simulating the spreading dynamics of alien species along transport networks across multiple pathways, CASPIAN enables the identification of major spread routes along different dispersal pathways and quantification of their relative importance, which helps prioritising pathways of introduction as required by international biodiversity goals such as the CBD Aichi targets.

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