Editorial: Biotropica Announces a New Paper Category: Synthesis

Abstract

What does it take to tackle big questions in ecology, evolution, and conservation that do not have quick answers? Several important tools have emerged in recent years including literature synthesis and meta-analysis (Halpern et al. 2023; Lortie 2014), complemented by distributed network experiments (Powers et al. 2009; Roslin et al. 2017). Synthesis often consists of meta-analyses and data integration, wherein researchers compile and analyze data from multiple sources in the literature. Often, these studies integrate information from multiple spatial sources and yield inferences at continental or global scales. The success of this approach is underscored by the creation of centers for ecological synthesis, such as the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) in the United States or the Synthesis Centre for Biodiversity Sciences in Germany (sDiv). In parallel, other research groups have developed distributed ecological networks of experiments and/or observations, for example, NutNet or DarkDivNet (Borer et al. 2014; Pärtel et al. 2025). In these projects, researchers focus on different locations, but they all implement standardized methods to yield geographically comparative data. These approaches have undoubtedly contributed to our understanding of ecological patterns and processes at broad spatial scales, and yet they are not the only method of synthesis. The nature of tropical ecological research often means that some researchers and research groups return to the same study location year after year, building programs of investigation over decades that may integrate the role of fluctuating environmental conditions in their study system. This approach chips away at big questions one paper at a time and yields major results when synthesized (e.g., Melin et al. 2020).

Meta-analyses or literature reviews typically begin with database searches, such as Google Scholar or Web of Science, and discourage “excessive” self-citation, as the objective is to derive generalizable patterns across many published studies. While global syntheses have provided broad ecological insights, this may have cost us the types of ecological insights that come from “slow ecology” focused on a deeper understanding of a single study system at one location (Billick and Price 2010). Such studies, with the deep glimpses they provide into the natural history of an ecosystem, are often the source of novel observations and mechanistic understanding in ecology. They are also critical for conservation and management that require local action. We contend that we lack a platform that encourages groups of investigators to synthesize and integrate their findings from a concerted and coordinated program of study conducted in a single place over decades, that is, papers where the goal is to trace the arc of a research program over many years through “self-citation”. To fill this gap, Biotropica is creating a new paper category called “Synthesis”. The aim is not for authors to present a typical “Review Article” or meta-analysis. The new Biotropica Synthesis papers will be distinguished by being deep in time and site-specific, celebrating the insights that emerge from local, place-based ecology and showing a profound understanding of the site's natural history over a concerted period of time.

How will Synthesis papers work? Synthesis papers will follow the same format as “Reviews”, that is, 8000 word limit (excluding references). As the emphasis is on understanding the insights from a research group's work, extensive self-citations are acceptable and, indeed, expected. However, in contrast to Biotropica's Review paper category, Synthesis papers will be solicited by invitation, referral, or self-referral. The authors of all Synthesis papers are requested to send a brief inquiry email before submission to the Editorial Office that details: the location of the research, the topics or ideas addressed by the research program, the number of years of work that will be synthesized (i.e., we expect 10 years at least), a list of the major publications that will be discussed and a list of potential co-authors that would ideally include graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and research assistants. If locally based field assistants have made substantial contributions to the work presented in the Synthesis, we strongly recommend authors consider whether their contributions merit co-authorship (see Ramírez-Castaneda et al. 2022). Last, the inquiry should include a couple of sentences on how synthesizing this research program will provide new insights that will be of interest to tropical ecologists, that is, Biotropica readers. The Biotropica Editorial Office will then provide feedback and encourage or discourage a full submission that will be subjected to our standard peer review processes (i.e., submission does not guarantee acceptance). As Synthesis represents a new paper category for Biotropica, we do not yet have a collection of examples to use as guidelines. However, we point potential Synthesis authors to an excellent review paper that exemplifies the goals of this new paper category entitled “Primate life history, social dynamics, ecology, and conservation: Contributions from long-term research in Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica” by Melin et al. (2020). We look forward to receiving your contributions and hope that this new paper category spurs integration and reflection, and also serves to identify future research directions—all of which are necessary to make progress toward answering the big questions in ecology and conservation.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.