Genotypic variability enhances the reproducibility of an ecological study

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Experimental Biology
• Scientific Methodology

Background:

• The scientific community faces a reproducibility crisis, with many findings proving difficult to repeat.
• A hypothesis suggests that excessive standardization in experiments can paradoxically decrease reproducibility by amplifying lab-specific environmental influences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis that introducing controlled systematic variability (CSV) enhances experimental reproducibility.
• To investigate the effects of genotypic and environmental CSV on the reproducibility of ecological studies.

Main Methods:

• 14 European laboratories conducted a microcosm experiment with grass monocultures and grass-legume mixtures.
• Controlled environmental and genotypic CSV were introduced in growth chambers and glasshouses.
• Among-laboratory variability was measured to assess reproducibility.

Main Results:

• Genotypic CSV reduced among-laboratory variability by 18% in growth chambers, indicating increased reproducibility.
• Genotypic CSV had no significant effect in glasshouses, where overall reproducibility was lower.
• Environmental CSV showed minimal impact on reproducibility.

Conclusions:

• Deliberately incorporating genotypic variability can enhance the reproducibility of ecological studies, particularly under stringent environmental controls.
• This strategy offers a potential solution to improve the reliability of scientific findings in the face of the reproducibility crisis.