The influence of sample size and sampling design on estimating population-level intra specific trait variation (ITV) along environmental gradients.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the relationship between intraspecific trait variability (ITV) and its biotic and abiotic drivers is crucial for advancing population and community ecology. Despite its importance, there is a lack of guidance on how to effectively sample ITV and reduce bias in the resulting inferences. In this study, we explored how sample size affects the estimation of population-level ITV, and how the distribution of sample sizes along an environmental gradient (i.e., sampling design) impacts the probabilities of committing Type I and II errors. We investigated Type I and II error probabilities using four simulated scenarios which varied sampling design and the strength of the ITV-environment relationships. We also applied simulation scenarios to empirical data on populations of the small m

SUBMITTER: Fluck IE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11420108 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature