03 Nov 2020
03 Nov 2020
Ideas and Perspectives: When ocean acidification experiments are not the same, reproducibility is not tested
- 1School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
- 2Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, 27515 Bremerhaven, Germany
- 3Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK
- 4Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 06230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France
- 5Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, 75006 Paris, France
- 1School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
- 2Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, 27515 Bremerhaven, Germany
- 3Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK
- 4Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 06230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France
- 5Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, 75006 Paris, France
Abstract. Can experimental studies on the impacts of ocean acidification be trusted? That question was raised in early 2020 when a high-profile paper failed to corroborate previously-observed impacts of high CO2 on the behaviour of coral reef fish. New information on the methodologies used in the replicated
studies now provides the explanation: the experimental conditions were substantially different. High sensitivity to test conditions is characteristic of ocean acidification research; such response variability shows that effects are complex, interacting with many other factors. Open-minded assessment of all research results, both negative and positive, remains the best way to develop process-based understanding of those responses. Whilst replication studies can provide valuable insights and challenges, they can unfortunately also be counter-productive to scientific advancement if carried out in a spirit of confrontation rather than collaboration.
Phillip Williamson et al.


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SC1: 'Pragmatism is also needed', M. Solan, 11 Nov 2020
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AC1: 'Reply on SC1 (Solan)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC1: 'Reply on SC1 (Solan)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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SC2: 'No experiment can capture the complexity of the biological response to ocean acidification', Sam Dupont, 11 Nov 2020
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AC2: 'Reply to SC2 (Dupont)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC2: 'Reply to SC2 (Dupont)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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SC3: 'The importance of interactive discussions about consensus science', Sophie McCoy, 11 Nov 2020
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AC3: 'Reply to SC3 (McCoy)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC3: 'Reply to SC3 (McCoy)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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RC1: 'Defining criteria for future replication versus reproducibility studies', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 Nov 2020
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AC5: 'Reply to RC1', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC5: 'Reply to RC1', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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RC2: 'Broaden the scope of consideration', Anonymous Referee #2, 18 Dec 2020
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AC6: 'Reply to RC2', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC6: 'Reply to RC2', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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SC4: 'Comment to Williamson et al', Cristian Duarte, 21 Dec 2020
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AC4: 'Reply on SC4 (Duarte)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC4: 'Reply on SC4 (Duarte)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021


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SC1: 'Pragmatism is also needed', M. Solan, 11 Nov 2020
-
AC1: 'Reply on SC1 (Solan)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC1: 'Reply on SC1 (Solan)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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SC2: 'No experiment can capture the complexity of the biological response to ocean acidification', Sam Dupont, 11 Nov 2020
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AC2: 'Reply to SC2 (Dupont)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC2: 'Reply to SC2 (Dupont)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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SC3: 'The importance of interactive discussions about consensus science', Sophie McCoy, 11 Nov 2020
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AC3: 'Reply to SC3 (McCoy)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC3: 'Reply to SC3 (McCoy)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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RC1: 'Defining criteria for future replication versus reproducibility studies', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 Nov 2020
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AC5: 'Reply to RC1', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC5: 'Reply to RC1', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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RC2: 'Broaden the scope of consideration', Anonymous Referee #2, 18 Dec 2020
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AC6: 'Reply to RC2', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC6: 'Reply to RC2', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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SC4: 'Comment to Williamson et al', Cristian Duarte, 21 Dec 2020
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AC4: 'Reply on SC4 (Duarte)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
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AC4: 'Reply on SC4 (Duarte)', Phillip Williamson, 15 Jan 2021
Phillip Williamson et al.
Phillip Williamson et al.
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Cited
replicatedstudies differed in many ways. Open-minded and collaborative assessment of all research results, both negative and positive, remains the best way to develop process-based understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification on marine organisms.