Short answer

Leverage large, curated datasets like Compadre to inform design decisions related to ecological restoration, species management, and understanding the impact of environmental factors on biological systems.

Field: Modelling
Source: Journal of Ecology (2014)
Method: Database compilation and curation
Sample: 468 studies from 598 species worldwide, with 5621 matrices.
Evidence: Strong effect

The Compadre Plant Matrix Database aggregates thousands of plant demographic matrix models, providing a centralized, open-access resource for synthesizing and analyzing plant population dynamics globally. This modelling research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in Journal of Ecology. Using Database compilation and curation with 468 studies from 598 species worldwide, with 5621 matrices., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Leverage large, curated datasets like Compadre to inform design decisions related to ecological restoration, species management, and understanding the impact of environmental factors on biological systems.

Study

ModellingHigh ImpactStrong effect

Compadre Database: A Global Repository for Plant Demographic Matrix Models

Journal of Ecology · 2014

Key Findings

01The Compadre database contains a substantial collection of plant demographic matrix models from diverse species and regions.
02The database includes ancillary information that allows for rich interpretation and comparative analysis of demographic traits.
03Centralizing these dispersed data enables large-scale synthetic analyses of plant population dynamics.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Utilize the Compadre database to inform the design of ecological models, conservation strategies, or even bio-inspired designs by understanding fundamental plant life-history patterns.

Project actions

01When using databases, always check the data's origin and any associated metadata for context.
02Consider how data standardization in a database impacts the comparability of different studies.

Method & Evidence

AimTo create and maintain an open-source online repository of plant matrix population models to facilitate global-scale synthetic analysis of plant demography.

MethodDatabase compilation and curation

ProcedureThe Compadre database was built by collecting and standardizing data from published and grey literature on plant matrix population models. This involved extracting information on survival, growth, and reproduction rates, along with ancillary data such as species taxonomy, growth form, and ecoregion, and organizing it into a structured, accessible format.

Sample468 studies from 598 species worldwide, with 5621 matrices.

ContextEcology, Conservation Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Botany

Variables

IV["Species","Ecoregion","Growth form"]

DV["Population growth rate","Survival probability","Reproductive output"]

CV["Matrix model structure","Data extraction methodology"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Global scale and species diversity.
+Standardized data format and ancillary information.

Limitations

The database relies on the quality of the original research; some species or regions might be underrepresented.

Reliability & validity

Reliability is enhanced by the standardized data format and the inclusion of metadata. Validity is supported by the empirical basis of the matrix models, though interpretation of specific matrices may require expert knowledge.

Think critically

How might the biases in data collection (e.g., focus on certain species or regions) influence the conclusions drawn from analyses using this database?

Design Principles

"Centralized data repositories foster large-scale synthesis and advance understanding of complex biological systems."

This database is crucial for researchers and designers aiming to understand plant life-history traits, predict population responses to environmental changes, and develop conservation or management strategies. By standardizing and centralizing complex demographic data, it enables large-scale comparative analyses that were previously infeasible.

What This Means for Your Design

Imagine a giant library filled with detailed blueprints for how different plants grow, survive, and reproduce. This database is like that library, but for scientists, making it easier to study plants all over the world.

How to use in your project

1.Reference the Compadre database as a source of empirical data for comparative studies on plant life-history traits.
2.Use the database to identify patterns in plant demography that could inspire design solutions for ecological challenges.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The Compadre Plant Matrix Database (Salguero-Gómez et al., 2014) provides a comprehensive, open-access repository of plant demographic matrix models. This resource facilitates large-scale comparative analyses of plant life-history traits and population dynamics, offering valuable empirical data for understanding ecological responses and informing design strategies in areas such as conservation and environmental management.

Source

Journal of Ecology

The <scp>compadre</scp><scp>P</scp>lant <scp>M</scp>atrix <scp>D</scp>atabase: an open online repository for plant demography

journal · 2014

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about compadre database: a global repository for plant demographic matrix models?: Leverage large, curated datasets like Compadre to inform design decisions related to ecological restoration, species management, and understanding the impact of environmental factors on biological systems. Evidence: Journal of Ecology (2014).
Why does "Compadre Database: A Global Repository for Plant Demographic Matrix Models" matter for design?: This database is crucial for researchers and designers aiming to understand plant life-history traits, predict population responses to environmental changes, and develop conservation or management strategies. By standardizing and centralizing complex demographic data, it enables large-scale comparative analyses that were previously infeasible.
How can designers apply this research?: Leverage large, curated datasets like Compadre to inform design decisions related to ecological restoration, species management, and understanding the impact of environmental factors on biological systems.
What were the main findings?: The Compadre database contains a substantial collection of plant demographic matrix models from diverse species and regions.. The database includes ancillary information that allows for rich interpretation and comparative analysis of demographic traits.. Centralizing these dispersed data enables large-scale synthetic analyses of plant population dynamics.
What research method was used?: Database compilation and curation with 468 studies from 598 species worldwide, with 5621 matrices..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2014 journal from Journal of Ecology.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Utilize the Compadre database to inform the design of ecological models, conservation strategies, or even bio-inspired designs by understanding fundamental plant life-history patterns.
What are the limitations?: The quality and availability of data can vary depending on the original studies; interpretation of matrices may require domain expertise.