Long-Term Study of 'Spatial Synchrony' Uncovers Ecological Patterns with Major Impacts on Conservation and Agriculture.

A recent study published in Ecology Letters by researchers at the University of Kansas underscores the powerful role of long-term data in revealing ecological phenomena known as spatial synchrony. This refers to a pattern where populations of animals and plants, even those separated by thousands of miles, experience simultaneous rises and declines influenced by shared environmental factors.

Lead author Daniel Reuman, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Kansas and senior scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, explained the importance of this concept. "There are many examples of spatial synchrony," he said, referencing a study from the early 2000s that tracked musk ox populations on opposite sides of Greenland’s ice sheet—separated by 1,000 miles yet showing synchronized population fluctuations.

Reuman and his co-authors analyzed two decades' worth of research, focusing on how understanding spatial synchrony improves when studied across extended timeframes. One of their key findings centers on what Reuman describes as "timescale structure." Populations don’t just change yearly—they fluctuate on multiple timescales, from annual to decadal or longer, and different drivers may influence synchrony depending on the timescale in question.

The study emphasizes that long-term ecological research is exponentially more valuable than short-term investigations. “A 20-year study is more than twice as informative as a 10-year one,” Reuman noted. “Long-term monitoring projects have been pivotal in reshaping our conceptual understanding, and it’s essential that we continue to support them.”

Co-author Max Castorani of the University of Virginia echoed these sentiments, noting that extended studies are rare but invaluable. “Our synthesis shows that long-term ecological research not only deepens our understanding of natural systems but also informs critical societal and industry decisions—ranging from fisheries management to climate policy,” he said.

Another contributor, Lawrence Sheppard from the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey, pointed out the dual benefits of long-term plankton data: it reveals both consistent seasonal cycles and broader oceanic shifts occurring over decades.

Reuman emphasized that advancements in technology and the availability of long-term datasets have allowed scientists to test earlier theoretical ideas about what drives synchrony—ideas that were previously difficult to verify. "Now, we can more confidently determine what environmental factors influence synchrony, provided we have sufficient data and analyze it across the right timescales," he said.

The study also draws a connection between changing synchrony patterns and climate change. Reuman explained that detecting alterations in synchrony requires even more data than identifying synchrony itself. As climate oscillations increase, possibly driven by global warming, they are increasingly being linked to changes in synchrony on a large scale.

Beyond ecological theory, the findings have practical implications—particularly in agriculture. Reuman cited a 2016 study on aphid populations, which showed that when these crop pests rise and fall in sync across regions, simultaneous outbreaks can devastate harvests. “In such cases, pest damage is widespread and harder to manage,” he explained.

Synchrony also affects crop yields more broadly. “If all corn farms in a region like Kansas have a poor harvest simultaneously, the overall supply drops, impacting prices,” Reuman said. “But if some farms succeed while others fail, the effects can balance out.” This concept of synchronous versus asynchronous fluctuations similarly applies to the spread of diseases in both crops and wildlife.

Ultimately, the study reinforces the message that long-term ecological research is essential—not only for advancing scientific knowledge but also for addressing practical challenges in conservation, climate adaptation, and agriculture.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-04-spatial-synchrony-term-exposes-ecological.html

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.