Controlling biases in targeted plant removal experiments
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We propose accounting for such biases within the experimental design, using a gradient of biomass removal controls. We demonstrate the relevance of this design by presenting (1) conceptual examples of suspected biases and (2) how to observe and control for these biases.
Using data from a mycorrhizal association-based removal experiment, we show that ignoring biomass removal biases (including by assuming ecosystem recovery) can lead to incorrect, or even contrary conclusions (e.g. false positive and false negative). Our gradient design can prevent such incorrect interpretations, regardless of whether aboveground biomass has fully recovered.
Our approach provides more objective and quantitative insights, independently assessed for each variable, than using a proxy to assume ecosystem recovery. Our approach circumvents the strict statistical assumptions of, for example, ANCOVA and thus offers greater flexibility in data analysis.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | New Phytologist |
Vol/bind | 242 |
Udgave nummer | 4 |
Sider (fra-til) | 1835-1845 |
Antal sider | 11 |
ISSN | 0028-646X |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 2024 |
Bibliografisk note
Funding Information:
We thank the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat and SITES for the logistical support for the work done at the Abisko Scientific Research Station. This study was financially supported by the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Helge Ax:son Johnsons stiftelse (NrF22‐0184) and Arcum (SM); Swiss Polar Institute Exploratory Grant (SPIEG‐2020‐001) and Swiss National Science Foundation (grant PZ00P2_174047) (KG); Waldemar von Frenckells stiftelse, Oskar Öflunds stiftelse, the Osk. Huttunen Foundation; and the University of Oulu and Academy of Finland PROFI4 (Grant 318930) (MV). We thank James T. Weedon for critical input on statistical data processing, Anika Mayr for obtaining and processing data on growth and isotopic nitrogen content, and Sonia Meller for lending us the SEAR scanner. We also thank Anna Miettinen, Chantal Polenz, Elisa Jung, Henrike Lange, Janne Welling, Lorenzo Masini, Luca Dettmers, Margaux Chadanson, Paul Schulz, Yannick Bernard and Yi‐Ho Tseng for their help in the maintenance of the experiment and data collection. B. nana
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© 2023 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2023 New Phytologist Foundation.
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