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Posts by Lexi Wilkes

Assistant/Associate Teaching Professor, Marine Biology About the Opportunity About the Opportunity: The Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts invites applications from qualified candidates for ...

My department is hiring a Teaching Professor in Marine Biology!
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
Application review will begin on March 31, 2026 #EcoEvoJobs #EvolJobs #PhDjobs @ecoevo.social.ecoevo.social.ap.brid.gy

1 month ago 19 19 0 2

Please read, share, and show up. Thank you 💪🏽🤩🏁

3 months ago 6 4 0 1

And she passed! Welcome Dr. @breckmccollum.bsky.social!

5 months ago 13 1 0 0
Defense poster for Breckie McCollum!

Defense poster for Breckie McCollum!

This morning! See @breckmccollum.bsky.social talk subtidal rock wall ecology as she defends her PhD! Zoom link in image!

5 months ago 8 1 0 1

So excited for your defense @breckmccollum.bsky.social ! Can’t wait to see all the awesome work you’ve done :)

6 months ago 3 0 0 0
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Check out "Scaling the r-spatial ecosystem" by Dewey Dunnington 🌍📦
An exploration of how R’s spatial tools can be used for big(ger) data.

Video: youtu.be/tjNEoIYr_ag?...
Slides: dewey.dunnington.ca/slides/rspat...

#RStats #rspatial #GIS #SpatialData

8 months ago 15 11 1 1
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A preprint of our paper on #CausalInference in #Ecology - Best practices for moving from correlation to causation in ecological research - led by Hannah Correia is now up as a preprint ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v... 🧪🌍

This came from a GREAT workshop last year, and gives a solid framework and howto

10 months ago 63 29 0 3
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Just incredibly proud of Taylor Kielczewski's honors poster on determinants of #kelp distributions in Long Island Sound from working with @lexiwilkes.bsky.social. Fantastic work!!!

10 months ago 7 1 0 0
Call for Expert Input: Consultation on Biology and Ecosystems Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) – Global Ocean Observing System

After a lot of hard work, the Global Ocean Observing System #GOOS Bio-Eco panel has released their Essential Ocean Variable spec sheets for expert review. If you're doing work with anything biological in the ocean, take a look at goosocean.org/news/call-fo... and give us your expert opinion! #IOOS

11 months ago 10 6 1 1
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Rapid Response Bridge Funding Program In the face of recent abrupt shifts in federal funding for education research, including large-scale terminations of National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant awards, we have developed a rap...

FYI: The Spencer Foundation, Kapor Foundation, The William T. Grant Foundation, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation have collaborated to offer $25K rapid response grants.

"This rapid response bridge funding opportunity is for scholars and teams whose grants have recently been cancelled by NSF."

11 months ago 764 551 6 23
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URGENT ACTION FOR NSF GRANTEES.

For current & recent (since 2020) awards, archive your award history this afternoon/tonight. Screenshot/download/print your work in research.gov & alert your partners.

We have credible threats to integrity of awards tracking systems (via @jeremymberg.bsky.social)

11 months ago 317 325 2 11
Graphical summary of 10 quick tips to get started with Bayesian statistics and how they fit into a larger view of an analytical workflow with Bayesian models.

Graphical summary of 10 quick tips to get started with Bayesian statistics and how they fit into a larger view of an analytical workflow with Bayesian models.

🚨🎉 New paper "Ten quick tips to get you started with Bayesian statistics", hope you'll like it 😇🤗

✍🏽 w/ Andy Royle, Marc Kéry and Chloé Nater

🔗 dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...

@plos.org @cnrsecologie.bsky.social @cnrsoccitanieest.bsky.social @umontpellier.bsky.social

1 year ago 162 69 3 2
The subject of investigating causation in ecology has been widely discussed in recent years, especially by advocates of a structural causal model (SCM) approach. Some of these advocates have criticized the use of predictive models and model selection for drawing inferences about causation. We argue that the comparison of model-based predictions with observations is a key step in hypothetico-deductive (H-D) science and remains a valid approach for assessing causation. We draw a distinction between two approaches to inference based on predictive modeling. The first approach is not guided by causal hypotheses and focuses on the relationship between a (typically) single response variable and a potentially large number of covariates. We agree that this approach does not yield useful inferences about causation and is primarily useful for hypothesis generation. The second approach follows a H-D framework and is guided by specific hypotheses about causal relationships. We believe that this has been, and continues to be, a useful approach to causal inference. Here, we first define different kinds of causation, arguing that a “probability-raisers-of-processes” definition is especially appropriate for many ecological systems. We outline different scientific “designs” for generating the observations used to investigate causation. We briefly outline some relevant components of the SCM and H-D approaches to investigating causation, emphasizing a H-D approach that focuses on modeling causal effects on vital rate (e.g., rates of survival, recruitment, local extinction, colonization) parameters underlying system dynamics. We consider criticisms of predictive modeling leveled by some SCM proponents and provide two example analyses of ecological systems that use predictive modeling and avoid these criticisms. We conclude that predictive models have been, and can continue to be, useful for providing inferences about causation.

The subject of investigating causation in ecology has been widely discussed in recent years, especially by advocates of a structural causal model (SCM) approach. Some of these advocates have criticized the use of predictive models and model selection for drawing inferences about causation. We argue that the comparison of model-based predictions with observations is a key step in hypothetico-deductive (H-D) science and remains a valid approach for assessing causation. We draw a distinction between two approaches to inference based on predictive modeling. The first approach is not guided by causal hypotheses and focuses on the relationship between a (typically) single response variable and a potentially large number of covariates. We agree that this approach does not yield useful inferences about causation and is primarily useful for hypothesis generation. The second approach follows a H-D framework and is guided by specific hypotheses about causal relationships. We believe that this has been, and continues to be, a useful approach to causal inference. Here, we first define different kinds of causation, arguing that a “probability-raisers-of-processes” definition is especially appropriate for many ecological systems. We outline different scientific “designs” for generating the observations used to investigate causation. We briefly outline some relevant components of the SCM and H-D approaches to investigating causation, emphasizing a H-D approach that focuses on modeling causal effects on vital rate (e.g., rates of survival, recruitment, local extinction, colonization) parameters underlying system dynamics. We consider criticisms of predictive modeling leveled by some SCM proponents and provide two example analyses of ecological systems that use predictive modeling and avoid these criticisms. We conclude that predictive models have been, and can continue to be, useful for providing inferences about causation.

New #statistics #ecopubs @esajournals.bsky.social:

Predictive models are indeed useful for causal inference doi.org/10.1002/ecy....

Sounds like a response to 'Predictive models aren't for causal inference' doi.org/10.1111/ele....

1 year ago 26 10 1 1
Graphic of kelp genetics.

Graphic of kelp genetics.

Giant kelp. In particular, kelp forests are declining in many parts of the northeast Pacific, practically right off my doorstep where we live close to Puget Sound [Salish Sea]. "Bemmels et al. sequenced the genomes of 429 bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) and 211 giant kelp (Macrocystis sp.) from the coastlines of British Columbia and Washington." They found 'low effective population size was associated with low genetic diversity and high inbreeding coefficients (including increased selfing rates), with extreme variation in these genetic health indices among bull kelp populations but more moderate variation in giant kelp.' They found fewer deleterious variants than predicted, but suspect their loss was more likely due to genetic drift rather than purging. "The researchers predict (1) reduced within-population inbreeding depression in small populations, which may be associated with an observed shift toward increased selfing rate, and (2) hybrid vigor in crosses between small populations." These findings inform several possible strategies for optimal sourcing and crossing of populations for restoration + aquaculture. Kelp have keystone ecosystem functions, but also represent a potential source of both biofuel + agricultural amendments.

Giant kelp. In particular, kelp forests are declining in many parts of the northeast Pacific, practically right off my doorstep where we live close to Puget Sound [Salish Sea]. "Bemmels et al. sequenced the genomes of 429 bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) and 211 giant kelp (Macrocystis sp.) from the coastlines of British Columbia and Washington." They found 'low effective population size was associated with low genetic diversity and high inbreeding coefficients (including increased selfing rates), with extreme variation in these genetic health indices among bull kelp populations but more moderate variation in giant kelp.' They found fewer deleterious variants than predicted, but suspect their loss was more likely due to genetic drift rather than purging. "The researchers predict (1) reduced within-population inbreeding depression in small populations, which may be associated with an observed shift toward increased selfing rate, and (2) hybrid vigor in crosses between small populations." These findings inform several possible strategies for optimal sourcing and crossing of populations for restoration + aquaculture. Kelp have keystone ecosystem functions, but also represent a potential source of both biofuel + agricultural amendments.

Curr. Biol. (2025) 10.1016/j.cub.2024.12.025  Kelp forests are integral + critical to aquatic ecosystems, but species such as giant kelp + bull kelp have experienced population bottlenecks in recent decades.

1 year ago 9 9 0 0
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1 year ago 18382 4384 188 111

obsessed

1 year ago 0 0 0 0

📣 JOB ALERT📣
The Silbiger Lab is hiring a full time research tech @ University of Hawai’i at Mānoa to support research on intertidal ecology in Hawai’i & coral reef/coastal oceanography in Okinawa, Japan. RCUH ID: 225085 application link below. 1 year to start, but have several years of funding.

1 year ago 23 23 1 1

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!
Cheer your #WomeninScience on today. They need it!

1 year ago 3 2 0 0
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STAND UP FOR SCIENCE 2025 Join us in Washington, DC or your state capitol on March 7th, 2025 to stand up for science!

Website is still under construction but worth it to keep checking for those interested in science advocacy and how to join local teams👇🏽

#standupforscience2025 #sciencenotsilence #scienceforall

1 year ago 19 7 0 1

A show of support to the scientists and staff at NOAA. This is among the best collection of scientists in the world who provide an invaluable public service via data and forecasting. Their work proves essential for daily operations of the military to commerce to the rest of the private sector.

1 year ago 481 119 5 6
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1 year ago 29588 4795 212 121
Map of Northern Europe showing how temperatures would change after eventual AMOC collapse. Cities like London, Reykjavik or Bergen would chill drastically, by almost 15C for some.

Map of Northern Europe showing how temperatures would change after eventual AMOC collapse. Cities like London, Reykjavik or Bergen would chill drastically, by almost 15C for some.

What would happen if key ocean currents that bring warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic collapse?

Temperatures in northern Europe would drop drastically, studies suggest.

Our full story on the risks of AMOC collapse:
www.bbc.com/news/article...

1 year ago 117 42 9 6
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SHARE WIDELY.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

With mass deportations starting today across the country, it is vitally important - for both citizens and non-citizens - to know your rights.

You have the right to remain silent. Assert it. You have the right to a lawyer. Ask for one.

(1/3)

1 year ago 51928 28646 936 941

A really beautiful and inspiring thread for anyone who needs a reminder that despite everything going on focusing on joy is so crucial. I know I needed the reminder. Thank you for sharing @mishellbaker.bsky.social💛

1 year ago 3 0 0 0

Very excited this paper is now out in Ecology Letters onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... #causalsky

1 year ago 125 47 2 2
Call for nominations for fellows for the methodological assessment of integrated biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity (6 Sep 2024 - 24 Jan 2025) | IPBES secretariat Dear IPBES members, observers and other interested stakeholders,

Exciting opportunity - Last minute call for nominations for experts and fellows for the #IPBES methodological assessment of integrated biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity

Fellows:
www.ipbes.net/spatial-plan...
Experts:
www.ipbes.net/spatial-plan...

1 year ago 13 10 0 0
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$1,131,794,901

That's how much Big Oil has spent over the last 30 years paying off Congress to look the other way on climate action while the planet burns.

Well, the planet is burning.
Don't let them look away.

1 year ago 55830 16362 1166 525

Gisele Pelicot is an incredible woman and a hero for her nerve in bringing all those rapists to justice and for knowing the shame does not lie worth her — bravely declining anonymity was incredible.

1 year ago 16971 1983 195 66
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Fellowship Opportunity!

🌊 NOAA has announced 33 #fellowship positions to support their Climate Resilience Regional Challenge projects!

➡️Learn more and apply by Feb 28, 2025: loom.ly/EwSRTg4

1 year ago 15 9 0 0
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Scientists Question the Use of “Tipping Point” Metaphor in Climate Change Discussions

Scientists Question the Use of “Tipping Point” Metaphor in Climate Change Discussions (from Rutgers Today)

1 year ago 11 3 0 0