Payne, Richard J., Babeshko, Kirill V., van Bellen, Simon et al. (17 more authors) (2016) Significance testing testate amoeba water table reconstructions. Quaternary Science Reviews. pp. 131-135. ISSN 0277-3791
Abstract
Transfer functions are valuable tools in palaeoecology, but their output may not always be meaningful. A recently-developed statistical test ('randomTF') offers the potential to distinguish among reconstructions which are more likely to be useful, and those less so. We applied this test to a large number of reconstructions of peatland water table depth based on testate amoebae. Contrary to our expectations, a substantial majority (25 of 30) of these reconstructions gave non-significant results (P > 0.05). The underlying reasons for this outcome are unclear. We found no significant correlation between randomTF P-value and transfer function performance, the properties of the training set and reconstruction, or measures of transfer function fit. These results give cause for concern but we believe it would be extremely premature to discount the results of non-significant reconstructions. We stress the need for more critical assessment of transfer function output, replication of results and ecologically-informed interpretation of palaeoecological data.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | Embargo Period 24 months. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd |
Keywords: | Palaeoecology,Palaeohydrology,Protist,RandomTF,Testate amoeba,Transfer function |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Environment and Geography (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 25 May 2016 10:10 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 13:00 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.01.030 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.01.030 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:100146 |
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