Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

How can my research paper be useful for future meta-analyses on forest restoration plantations?

  • Published:
New Forests Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Statistical meta-analysis is a powerful and useful tool to quantitatively synthesize the information conveyed in published studies on a particular topic. It allows identifying and quantifying overall patterns and exploring causes of variation. The inclusion of published works in meta-analyses requires, however, a minimum quality standard of the reported data and information on the methodology used. Our experience with conducting a meta-analysis on the relationship between seedling quality and field performance is that nearly one third of the apparently relevant publications had to be discarded because essential data, usually statistical dispersion parameters, were not properly reported. In addition, we encountered substantial difficulty to explore the effect of covariates due to the poor description of nursery cultivation methods, plantation location, and management in a significant proportion of the selected primary studies. Thus, we present guidelines for improving methodology detail and data presentation so that future forest restoration-oriented research can be more readily incorporated into meta-analyses. In general, research studies should report data on means, sample size, and any measure of variation even if they are not statistically significant. The online availability of raw data is the best practice to facilitate the inclusion of primary research on meta-analyses. Providing full information about the production of nursery seedlings, such as plant material and experimental conditions, is essential to test whether these procedures might have an effect on seedling quality. In addition, detailed information about field trials such as site climate, soil preparation techniques, previous land use, or post-plantation management, is needed to elucidate whether seedling quality is context-dependent. Thus, we provide a detailed checklist of important information that should be included when reporting forest restoration research involving the use of nursery-produced seedlings. All this will help to quantitatively synthetize current state-of-knowledge and thus contribute to the advancement of the forest restoration discipline.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Andivia E, Fernández M, Vázquez-Piqué J (2014) Assessing the effect of late-season fertilization on Holm oak plant quality: insights from morpho-nutritional characterizations and water relations parameters. New For 45:149–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-013-9397-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archibold OW, Acton C, Ripley EA (2000) Effect of site preparation on soil properties and vegetation cover, and the growth and survival of white spruce (Picea glauca) seedlings, in Saskatchewan. For Ecol Manag 131:127–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(99)00205-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casselman CN, Fox TR, Burger JA et al (2006) Effects of silvicultural treatments on survival and growth of trees planted on reclaimed mine lands in the Appalachians. For Ecol Manag 223:403–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Côté IM, Curtis PS, Rothstein HR, Stewart GB (2013) Gathering data: searching literature and selection criteria. In: Koricheva J, Gurevitch J, Mengersen K (eds) Handbook of meta-analysis in ecology and evolution, Princeton, pp 37–51

  • Dominguez-Lerena S, Herrero Sierra N, Carrasco Manzano I et al (2006) Container characteristics influence Pinus pinea seedling development in the nursery and field. For Ecol Manag 221:63–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2005.08.031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumroese RK, Page-Dumroese DS, Salifu KF, Jacobs DF (2005) Exponential fertilization of Pinus monticola seedlings: nutrient uptake efficiency, leaching fractions, and early outplanting performance. Can J For Res 35:2961–2967. https://doi.org/10.1139/x05-226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumroese RK, Luna T, Landis TD (2008) Nursery manual for native plants: a guide for tribal nurseries. Agriculture Handbook 730, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC

  • Dumroese RK, Page-Dumroese DS, Brown RE (2011) Allometry, nitrogen status, and carbon stable isotope composition of Pinus ponderosa seedlings in two growing media with contrasting nursery irrigation regimes. Can J For Res 41:1091–1101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumroese RK, Montville ME, Pinto JR (2015) Using container weights to determine irrigation needs: a simple method. Native Plants J 16:67–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumroese KR, Landis TD, Pinto JR et al (2016) Meeting forest restoration challenges: using the target plant concept. Reforesta 1:37–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duryea ML (1984) Nursery cultural practices: impacts on seedling quality. In: Duryea ML, Landis TD, Perry CR (eds) Forestry nursery manual: production of bareroot seedlings. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 143–164

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Duryea ML (ed) (1985) Evaluating seedling quality: principles, procedures, and predictive abilities of major tests. Forest Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerstner K, Moreno-Mateos D, Gurevitch J et al (2017) Will your paper be used in a meta-analysis? Make the reach of your research broader and longer lasting. Methods Ecol Evol 8:777–784. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12758

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Aparicio L (2009) The role of plant interactions in the restoration of degraded ecosystems: ameta-analysis across life-forms and ecosystems. J Ecol 97:1202–1214. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2745.2009.01573.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman SN, Fanelli D, Ioannidis JPA (2016) What does research reproducibility mean? Sci Transl Med 8:341ps12. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf5027

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grossnickle SC (2012) Why seedlings survive: influence of plant attributes. New For 43:711–738. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-012-9336-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grossnickle SC (2017) Why seedlings grow: influence of plant attributes. New For. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-017-9606-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grossnickle SC, El-Kassaby YA (2015) Bareroot versus container stocktypes: a performance comparison. New For. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-015-9476-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hahn P (1984) Plug + 1 seedling production. In: Duryea ML, Landis TD, Perry CR (eds) Forest nursery manual: production of bareroot seedlings. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 165–181

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hainds MJ (2004) Determining the correct planting depth for container-grown longleaf pine seedlings. Gen Tech Rep SRS‒71, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, South Res Sta, Asheville NC, pp 317–318

  • Hillebrand H, Gurevitch J (2013) Reporting standards in experimental studies. Ecol Lett 16:1419–1420. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12190

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kabrick JM, Knapp BO, Dey DC, Larsen DR (2015) Effect of initial seedling size, understory competition, and overstory density on the survival and growth of Pinus echinata seedlings underplanted in hardwood forests for restoration. New For. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-015-9487-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koricheva J, Gurevitch J (2014) Uses and misuses of meta-analysis in plant ecology. J Ecol 102:828–844. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koricheva J, Gurevitch J, Mengersen K (eds) (2013) Handbook of meta-analysis in ecology and evolution. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Lajeunesse MJ (2013) Recovering missing or partial data from studies: a survey of conversions and imputations for meta-analysis. In: Koricheva J, Gurevitch J, Mengersen K (eds) Handbook of meta-analysis in ecology and evolution, Princeton, pp 195–206

  • Landis TD (1989) Mineral nutrients and fertilization. In: Landis TD, Tinus RW, McDonald SE, Barnett JP (eds) The container tree nursery manual, vol 4, seedling nutrition and irrigation. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, pp 1–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Löf M, Dey DC, Navarro RM, Jacobs DF (2012) Mechanical site preparation for forest restoration. New For 43:825–848. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-012-9332-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCreary DD, Tecklin J (2001) The effects of different sizes of tree shelters on blue oak (Quercus douglasii) growth. West J Appl For 16:153–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minnemeyer S, Laestadius L, Sizer N et al (2011) A world of opportunity. World Resource Institute, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Mollá S, Villar-Salvador P, García-Fayos P, Peñuelas Rubira JL (2006) Physiological and transplanting performance of Quercus ilex L. (holm oak) seedlings grown in nurseries with different winter conditions. For Ecol Manage 237:218–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2006.09.047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakagawa S, Cuthill IC (2007) Effect size, confidence interval and statistical significance: a practical guide for biologists. Biol Rev 82:591–605. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-185X.2007.00027.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakagawa S, Santos ESA (2012) Methodological issues and advances in biological meta-analysis. Evol Ecol 26:1253–1274. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-012-9555-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakagawa S, Noble DWA, Senior AM, Lagisz M (2017) Meta-evaluation of meta-analysis: ten appraisal questions for biologists. BMC Biol 15:18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-017-0357-7

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Oliet JA, Jacobs DF (2012) Restoring forests: advances in techniques and theory. New For 43:535–541

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliet JA, Artero F, Cuadros S et al (2012) Deep planting with shelters improves performance of different stocktype sizes under arid Mediterranean conditions. New For 43:925–939. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-012-9345-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palacios G, Navarro Cerrillo RM, del Campo A, Toral M (2009) Site preparation, stock quality and planting date effect on early establishment of Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) seedlings. Ecol Eng 35:38–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.09.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parker TH, Forstmeier W, Koricheva J et al (2016) Transparency in ecology and evolution: real problems, real solutions. Trends Ecol Evol 31:711–719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2016.07.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pigott TD (1994) Methods for handling missing data in research synthesis. The handbook of research synthesis. Russell Sage Foundation, New York, pp 163–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Piñeiro J, Maestre FT, Bartolomé L, Valdecantos A (2013) Ecotechnology as a tool for restoring degraded drylands: ameta-analysis of field experiments. Ecol Eng 61:133–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.09.066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto JR, Dumroese RK, Davis AS, Landis TD (2011) Conducting seedling stocktype trials: a new approach to an old question. J For 109:293–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Puértolas J, Benito LF, Peñuelas JL (2009) Effects of nursery shading on seedling quality and post-planting performance in two Mediterranean species with contrasting shade tolerance. New For 38:295–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-009-9148-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Querejeta JI, Roldán A, Albaladejo J, Castillo V (2001) Soil water availability improved by site preparation in a Pinus halepensis afforestation under semiarid climate. For Ecol Manag 149:115–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(00)00549-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radoglou K, Raftoyannis Y (2002) The impact of storage, desiccation and planting date on seedling quality and survival of woody plant species. Forestry 75:179–190. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/75.2.179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rey-Benayas JM (1998) Growth and survival in Quercus ilex L. seedlings after irrigation and artificial shading on Mediterranean set-aside agricultural land. Ann For Sci 55:801–807

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie GA (1984) Assessing seedling quality. In: Duryea ML, Landis TD, Perry CR (eds) Forestry nursery manual: production of bareroot seedlings. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 243–259

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie GA, Dunlap JR (1980) Root growth potential: its development and expression in forest tree seedlings. NZJ For Sci 10:218–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg MS, Rothstein HR, Gurevitch J (2013) Effect sizes: conventional choices and calculations. In: Koricheva J, Gurevitch J, Mengersen K (eds) Handbook of meta-analysis in ecology and evolution, Princeton, pp 61–71

  • South DB, Rose RW, Mcnabb KL (2001) Nursery and site preparation interaction research in the United States. New For 22:43–58. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012079014625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Squeo FA, Holmgren M, Jiménez M et al (2007) Tree establishment along an ENSO experimental gradient in the Atacama desert. J Veg Sci 18:195–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanturf JA, Palik BJ, Dumroese RK (2014) Contemporary forest restoration: a review emphasizing function. For Ecol Manag 331:292–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart G (2010) Meta-analysis in applied ecology. Biol Lett 6:78. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2009.0546

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson B (1984) Establishing a vigorous nursery crop: bed preparation, seed sowing, and early seedling growth. In: Duryea ML, Landis TD, Perry CR (eds) Forest nursery manual: production of bareroot seedlings. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 41–49

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Trubat R, Cortina J, Vilagrosa A (2008) Short-term nitrogen deprivation increases field performance in nursery seedlings of Mediterranean woody species. J Arid Environ 72:879–890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.11.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van den Driessche R (1982) Relationship between spacing and nitrogen fertilization of seedlings in the nursery seedling size and out planting performance. Can J For Res 12:865–875

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez de Castro A, Oliet JA, Puértolas J, Jacobs DF (2014) Light transmissivity of tube shelters affects root growth and biomass allocation of Quercus ilex L. and Pinus halepensis Mill. Ann For Sci 71:91–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-013-0335-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villar-Salvador P, Planelles R, Oliet J et al (2004) Drought tolerance and transplanting performance of holm oak (Quercus ilex) seedlings after drought hardening in the nursery. Tree Physiol 24:1147–1155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villar-Salvador P, Puértolas J, Cuesta B et al (2012) Increase in size and nitrogen concentration enhances seedling survival in Mediterranean plantations. Insights from an ecophysiological conceptual model of plant survival. New For 43:755–770. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-012-9328-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wakeley PC (1954) Planting the southern pines. Agricultural Monograph 18, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington

  • Wilson BC, Jacobs DF (2006) Quality assessment of temperate zone deciduous hardwood seedlings. New For 31:417–433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-005-0878-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang X, Bauhus J, Both S et al (2013) Establishment success in a forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning experiment in subtropical China (BEF-China). Eur J For Res 132:593–606

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao D, Kane M, Borders BE (2011) Growth responses to planting density and management intensity in loblolly pine plantations in the southeastern USA Lower Coastal Plain. Ann For Sci 68:625–635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuur AF, Ieno EN (2016) A protocol for conducting and presenting results of regression-type analyses. Methods Ecol Evol 7:636–645. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12577

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the network Remedinal-3 (S2013/MAE-2719) of the Community of Madrid and Project CGL2014-53308-P SERAVI of the MINECO. EA was supported by the postdoctoral Grant “Ayudas para contratos para la formación postdoctoral” (FPDI-2013-15573) from the Ministry of Economy of the Spanish Government. We thank the suggestions and comments of Douglass F. Jacobs and two anonymous reviewers.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest Ecology and Restoration Group, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain

    Enrique Andivia & Pedro Villar-Salvador

  2. Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, E.T.S. Ingenieros de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Juan A. Oliet

  3. The Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK

    Jaime Puértolas

  4. Rocky Mountain Research Station, US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Moscow, USA

    R. Kasten Dumroese

Authors
  1. Enrique Andivia
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pedro Villar-Salvador
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Juan A. Oliet
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jaime Puértolas
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R. Kasten Dumroese
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Enrique Andivia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Andivia, E., Villar-Salvador, P., Oliet, J.A. et al. How can my research paper be useful for future meta-analyses on forest restoration plantations?. New Forests 50, 255–266 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-018-9631-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-018-9631-y

Keywords

Profiles

  1. Enrique Andivia View author profile
  2. Juan A. Oliet View author profile