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

[Eric Seabloom]

Thank you, Forest. 

Ecology Letters has a new section - Viewpoints - that might be an interesting venue for one of the papers out this group. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/14610248/homepage/forauthors.html#tips2

Keep save everyone,

Eric

Viewpoints

Science does not exist in a vacuum, but interfaces with the broader world in ways that are not always overt but are becoming increasingly complex. This includes new transformative technologies, digital disruption, and emerging/growing global issues that require integration of diverse perspectives (e.g. social, environmental, economic). Options for how we communicate, discuss and debate topics relevant to the broader scientific community and other stakeholders (e.g. government, industry, the public) have diversified in recent years and will continue to do so. More traditional approaches focused on publishing peer–reviewed papers in professional journals are largely unidirectional and somewhat static – i.e. passive rather than actively promoting useful discussion and debate beyond the specifics of the science, and in fact generally don’t actively seek to engage across domain boundaries. Viewpoints are topical editorials linked to an online curated platform to enable scientists and others to engage transparently in dialogue around issues raised in the editorials.

Viewpoints provide a channel to stimulate broader discussion of the science of ecology and evolution and linked topics. Examples of broad topic areas could include (but are clearly not limited to):

	• The discipline and practice of science (e.g. how might AI/machine learning change how scientific investigation is conducted in the future?)
	• Critical intersections with other fields (including philosophy, sociology etc.)
	• Underpinning science needed, implications and ethical considerations associated with emerging technologies (e.g. gene–drive);
	• Translational issues (e.g. bringing theory/experimentation into real–world application; the emerging discipline of translational ecology);
	• Effectiveness and appropriateness of science advocacy and outreach (what is our role?)
	• Data management and access – what is needed?
	• The culture and broad goals of science (how do the signals we send influence behaviours?); what should determine success (e.g. individual vs. team–focus) etc.
	• Future models for sharing information and disseminating science (e.g. approaches to publishing)
Viewpoints are 1500 words maximum, and can include up to two figures or tables. If two authors wish to write Viewpoint articles from different perspectives, we will publish these back-to-back if both are accepted. Papers need to lay out arguments clearly, and should start with a clear problem statement (<100 words), followed by an exposition of the author’s views, before finishing with a succinct conclusion (<200 words). Any figures and tables should follow guidelines for Letters.

Each accepted Viewpoint will be published in Ecology Letters and will include a link to an online platform to enable post–publication discourse in a moderated forum. As part of the requirements for acceptance, authors could be asked to help lead and contribute to the discussion. 

If you are interested in writing a Viewpoint, please contact the Ecology Letters editorial office in the first instance, outlining your proposal.


**********************************************************
Eric Seabloom, Professor
Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
University of Minnesota
140 Gortner Laboratory                 TEL: (612) 624-3406
1479 Gortner Avenue                    FAX: (612) 624-6777
St. Paul, MN 55108                 EMAIL: seabloom at umn.edu

http://umn.edu/~seabloom
**********************************************************


> On Jun 9, 2020, at 3:01 PM, Forest Isbell <isbell at umn.edu> wrote:
> 
> Dear all,
> 
> Here in Minneapolis, we are grieving the murder of George Floyd and seeking justice and meaningful reforms. We are also adjusting to the many challenges presented by this pandemic. We are in this together.
> 
> Herein I will provide another update on the projects identified in our third meeting, which was in February 2019. 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
> 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: All analyses (and reanalyses) and figures are now done for all the datasets. The draft of the paper was winding, so Laura is doing a redraft to simplify the message. Laura will send out a draft with an outline and some complete sections (and some for people to sign up to help with) -- aiming for this month -- for comments and to get feedback and reengagement from the group. 
> 
> BEF causality review led by Laura Dee
> From Laura: Laura met with Forest to go over the Cedar Creek data and started to analyze for an example to go with this paper.  No other updates at this time but please reach out if you would like to help me push this along with revisions of sections of this text.
> 
> NutNet BEF causality analysis led by Laura Dee
> Same as last time --- From Laura: I circulated a draft to core subteam, got some feedback, and updated analyses in response. I am now revising the text. Figures/Tables are mostly done.  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 survey
> From Forest: We received thousands of responses to our survey and I am making progress on creating figures and writing. Stay tuned for a message from me on this project. 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.
> 
> Quantifying performance-enhancing insurance effects led by Forest Isbell
> From Forest: No new progress. Still working with Shaopeng Wang to consider multiple partitions. Although it is not moving as quickly as I would like, I still plan to finish this paper.
> 
> Drivers of stability across spatial scales led by Yann Hautier
> From Yann: submitted and fingers crossed.
> 
> Global drivers of biodiversity loss (N) led by Yann Hautier
> From Yann: next paper on my list 
> 
> SAR, EAR, and BEF led by Akira Mori
> From Akira: the manuscript was just submitted.
> 
> Agenda 2049 led by Mary O’Connor
> From Mary: Progress on the Agenda stalled after our burst of momentum last fall. But it will pick up again in the next month because I am giving a talk on it at ESA in a session organized by Andy, Laura, Katie Barry and Sasha. So stay tuned, I’ll send out a draft for comment in June. We had some good discussions last July on adding a case study, so I’ll have to refresh myself on that
> 
> Global BEF led by Sasha Wright
> Sasha has revised this paper and circulated the draft to everyone who has contributed.
> 
> 
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