[LTER-BioProd] update for LTER synthesis working group on scaling-up BEF

[Forest Isbell]

Dear all,

Herein I would like to provide an update on progress for each of the projects identified in our third meeting. For your reference, the list of projects and leaders can also be found here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LX400TISO1ERwCWI_5i6vfzlrrZP9DMvgevhoSknx1I/edit?usp=sharing <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iML_EzPHvhQjNI50Z0ITYCGj58kiP7lbUBSog9aQ5IU/edit?usp=sharing>
If you would like to contribute to one or more of these projects, then please feel free to contact the project leader(s) and offer ways to help. If you have questions, then please feel free to ask the project leaders or me. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

Best wishes,

Forest, Jane, and Laura



Nonrandom changes in biodiversity and EF co-led by Laura Dee and Tim Newbold
From Laura: Laura is working on a full draft of the paper to circulate to a core team (by end of Oct.) and then to group, outlining remaining tasks that people can sign up for if they are opting in. Please reach out if you'd like to help with the revisions - that would be most welcome :)  Results from BioTime from Jarrett and PREDICTS from Tim are integrated. NutNet is in progress.

BEF causality review led by Laura Dee
From Laura: We had a productive meeting and discussion at the writing retreat and worked on revising this paper and re-scoping the paper. Laura and Jarrett are implementing those changes to dramatically reduce the length and complexity of the paper. Laura is also working on including a worked example using Cedar Creek data with a R tutorial. I aim to have an updated draft by mid-Nov.  To make the paper manageable, following your comments and advice, two sections have been cut to be made seperate follow up papers: Omitted Variables Bias (paper to be led by Jarrett), and rarefaction approaches to address circularity concerns (Alex Pigot lead w/ Michel).

NutNet BEF causality analysis led by Laura Dee
From Laura: In revision stage. I forget who was interested in being looped into this paper beyond NutNet folks, Jane & Michel. If I've missed you, I'm sorry - there is a lot to keep track of w/ working with NutNet too, please reach out and let me know how you'd like to contribute ASAP since this paper is far along.

Global Change Drivers, Coexistence mechanisms, and Scaling BEF led by Jane Cowles
No update at this time.

Consequences of nonrandom species loss in BioCON led by Jane Cowles
From Jane: I've run a suite of analyses examining using subsets of data from this randomized diversity loss experiment to simulate non-random loss and how different scenarios may lead to different BEF relationships. I'm looking of course for more ways to perhaps better address this question, and have spoke to a few people about it, but if you're interested in getting involved in this project at this phase, email Jane (jcowles at umn.edu).

Quantifying performance-enhancing insurance effects led by Forest Isbell
From Forest: Waiting to determine whether there should first be a separate manuscript presenting the main results of the tree diversity experiments. Will discuss this with Andy H when he visits Minnesota next week. Also, working with Shaopeng Wang to determine whether there might be a simpler version of the partition that could also be applied to these data. This is an opt-out paper. Although it is not moving as quickly as I would like, I do promise to finish it and to include anyone who would like to collaborate.

Global survey/maps
From Forest: I have started creating a survey that will eventually be circulated to solicit expert knowledge regarding effects of drivers on biodiversity and effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning at global scales. Next steps will be to complete and revise the survey, circulate the survey to collaborators for further feedback and obtain approvals needed for conducting human subjects research. Many of you have already chosen to opt-in to this project. To check whether you have already opted-in, or to opt-in now, please visit the spreadsheet at the link above and make sure your name is included in the opt-in list for this project. Once a draft of the survey is ready, I will send it to the people who have opted-in to request your feedback.

Drivers of stability across spatial scales led by Yann Hautier
From Yann: The data were put together. First bivariate plots and SEM were conducted. Part of the introduction is written. Help needed to build a final SEM with/without environmental variables (Skype with Jarrett is planned).

Global drivers of biodiversity loss (N) led by Yann Hautier
No update at this time.

SAR, EAR, and BEF led by Akira Mori
From Akira: I will soon circulate the manuscript, which is nearly complete, to people who would like to opt-in and contribute.

Agenda 2049 led by Mary O’Connor
No update at this time, but Mary presented this at a conference last summer and progress is being made!

Global BEF led by Sasha Wright
From Sasha: I have a new unifying figure and I'm working on reorganizing the paper around this. Should have complete draft in January 2020.


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