Meta-analysis: a novel methodological tool to evaluate the impact of drivers and pressures on biodiversity
Les méta-analyses : un nouvel outil méthodologique pour évaluer les impacts des forçages et pressions sur la biodiversité
Résumé
Reviewing of research has an important place in scientific progress: it enables us to assess whether the results can be generalised or not. Reviews provide useful summaries of sometimes very complex and controversial subjects. In this communication, we explained what a formal meta-analysis is and how to proceed and then briefly summarised related methodological problems. Then, we gave one example of a published meta-analysis that tested the relationship between tree species diversity and forest insect herbivory. Finally, we presented the meta-analysis we performed within the Alter-net network on the differences of species richness between unmanaged and managed forests throughout Europe. More specifically, we wanted to analyse whether the response to forest management could differ among taxonomic groups and whether the variability of their response could depend on the time since forest abandonment and the type of forest management. Time schedule and main results were presented.