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The handbook for standardized field and laboratory measurements in terrestrial climate change experiments and observational studies (ClimEx)
Author(s) -
Halbritter Aud H.,
De Boeck Hans J.,
Eycott Amy E.,
Reinsch Sabine,
Robinson David A.,
Vicca Sara,
Berauer Bernd,
Christiansen Casper T.,
Estiarte Marc,
Grünzweig José M.,
Gya Ragnhild,
Hansen Karin,
Jentsch Anke,
Lee Hanna,
Linder Sune,
Marshall John,
Peñuelas Josep,
Kappel Schmidt Inger,
StuartHaëntjens Ellen,
Wilfahrt Peter,
Vandvik Vigdis
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
methods in ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.425
H-Index - 105
ISSN - 2041-210X
DOI - 10.1111/2041-210x.13331
Subject(s) - climate change , environmental resource management , biodiversity , computer science , observational study , data science , ecology , environmental science , biology , mathematics , statistics
Abstract Climate change is a world‐wide threat to biodiversity and ecosystem structure, functioning and services. To understand the underlying drivers and mechanisms, and to predict the consequences for nature and people, we urgently need better understanding of the direction and magnitude of climate change impacts across the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum. An increasing number of climate change studies are creating new opportunities for meaningful and high‐quality generalizations and improved process understanding. However, significant challenges exist related to data availability and/or compatibility across studies, compromising opportunities for data re‐use, synthesis and upscaling. Many of these challenges relate to a lack of an established ‘best practice’ for measuring key impacts and responses. This restrains our current understanding of complex processes and mechanisms in terrestrial ecosystems related to climate change. To overcome these challenges, we collected best‐practice methods emerging from major ecological research networks and experiments, as synthesized by 115 experts from across a wide range of scientific disciplines. Our handbook contains guidance on the selection of response variables for different purposes, protocols for standardized measurements of 66 such response variables and advice on data management. Specifically, we recommend a minimum subset of variables that should be collected in all climate change studies to allow data re‐use and synthesis, and give guidance on additional variables critical for different types of synthesis and upscaling. The goal of this community effort is to facilitate awareness of the importance and broader application of standardized methods to promote data re‐use, availability, compatibility and transparency. We envision improved research practices that will increase returns on investments in individual research projects, facilitate second‐order research outputs and create opportunities for collaboration across scientific communities. Ultimately, this should significantly improve the quality and impact of the science, which is required to fulfil society's needs in a changing world.