Quality of basic data and method to identify shape affect richness-altitude relationships in meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Biodiversity Science
• Arthropod Studies

Background:

• Species richness-altitude (SRA) relationships are fundamental ecological patterns.
• Meta-analysis aims to synthesize findings but can be sensitive to study selection criteria.
• The robustness of identified patterns depends on the quality and selection of included studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test if the identification of SRA pattern shape and robustness are contingent on study selection in meta-analysis.
• To determine if uncertainty in SRA pattern shape increases with relaxed study inclusion criteria.
• To assess the robustness of SRA patterns in studies meeting stringent selection criteria.

Main Methods:

• Compiled 109 species richness-altitude relationships in arthropods.
• Categorized studies into stringent, intermediate, and lax subsets based on sampling design.
• Identified SRA relationship shapes using statistical and visual methods, resolving ambiguity by consensus.

Main Results:

• Arthropod SRA relationships exhibited multiple forms, with a predominance of hump-shaped patterns in the stringent subset.
• Uncertainty in identifying SRA pattern shape significantly increased with intermediate and lax selection criteria.
• Analytical methods interacted with data quality to influence pattern distribution.

Conclusions:

• Critical evaluation of literature is essential for reliable meta-analysis, not just large data compilation.
• Stringent study selection is vital for confidently inferring general ecological patterns.
• The shape and robustness of species richness-altitude patterns are highly dependent on the meta-analysis inclusion criteria.