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165 real negative results, null findings, and replication failures in Environmental Science · Negative / Null Result Report. Search the index →

WASTE indexes published research — it does not host or republish full papers. Each entry is a metadata record compiled from open scholarly databases; the abstract is shown in full only where the paper is openly licensed, otherwise a short excerpt under fair use. Classifications are automated and approximate.

Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forests in the Northeastern United States: Structure, Dynamics, and Prospects for Restoration

Mark J. Ducey, John Gunn, Andrew A. Whitman · 2013 · Forests

Restoration of old-growth forest structure is an emerging silvicultural goal, especially in those regions where old-growth abundance falls below the historic range of variability. However, longitudinal studies of old-growth dynamics that can inform silvicultural and policy options are few. We analyzed the change in structure, including stand density, diameter distribution, and the abundance of large live, standing dead, and downed dead trees on 58 late-successional and old-growth plots in Maine, USA, and compared these to regional data from the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis program. Struc

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Modelling the synergistic effect of bacteriophage and antibiotics on bacteria: Killers and drivers of resistance evolution

Quentin J. Leclerc, Jodi A. Lindsay, Gwenan M. Knight · 2022 · PLoS Computational Biology

Bacteriophage (phage) are bacterial predators that can also spread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes between bacteria by generalised transduction. Phage are often present alongside antibiotics in the environment, yet evidence of their joint killing effect on bacteria is conflicted, and the dynamics of transduction in such systems are unknown. Here, we combine in vitro data and mathematical modelling to identify conditions where phage and antibiotics act in synergy to remove bacteria or drive AMR evolution. We adapt a published model of phage-bacteria dynamics, including transduction, to add

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Boreal winter low‐frequency variability in CMIP5 models

Yun‐Young Lee, Robert X. Black · 2013 · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres

Abstract This study assesses the capability of CMIP5 models in representing primary modes of boreal winter extratropical low‐frequency variability. Rotated principal component analysis is applied to monthly mean output from historical…

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Variability in Fitness Trade-Offs Amongst Coral Juveniles With Mixed Genetic Backgrounds Held in the Wild

Kate M. Quigley, Magena R. Marzonie, Blake D. Ramsby et al. · 2021 · Frontiers in Marine Science

Novel restoration methods are currently under consideration worldwide to help coral reefs recover or become more resilient to higher temperature stress. Critical field-based information concerning the paradigm of “local is best” is lacking for many methods; information which is essential to determine the risk and feasibility associated with restoration. One method involves breeding corals from different reef regions with expected variation in heat tolerance and moving those offspring to new locations to enhance offspring survival; thereby augmenting local stock to enhance survival for anticipa

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Negative / Null Result ReportEnvironmental Science

Synthesizing Laboratory and Field Experiments to Quantify Dominant Transformation Mechanisms of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) in Aquatic Environments

Amber White, Michelle Nault, Katherine D. McMahon et al. · 2022 · Environmental Science & Technology

Laboratory studies used to assess the environmental fate of organic chemicals such as pesticides fail to replicate environmental conditions, resulting in large errors in predicted transformation rates. We combine laboratory and field data…

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Land surveys show regional variability of historical fire regimes and dry forest structure of the western United States

William L. Baker, Mark A. Williams · 2018 · Ecological Applications

An understanding of how historical fire and structure in dry forests (ponderosa pine, dry mixed conifer) varied across the western United States remains incomplete. Yet, fire strongly affects ecosystem services, and forest restoration…

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Across Date Species Detection Using Airborne Imaging Spectroscopy

Anthony Laybros, Daniel Schläpfer, Jean‐Baptiste Féret et al. · 2019 · Remote Sensing

Imaging spectroscopy is a promising tool for airborne tree species recognition in hyper-diverse tropical canopies. However, its widespread application is limited by the signal sensitivity to acquisition parameters, which may require new training data in every new area of application. This study explores how various pre-processing steps may improve species discrimination and species recognition under different operational settings. In the first experiment, a classifier was trained and applied on imaging spectroscopy data acquired on a single date, while in a second experiment, the classifier wa

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Characterization of Osmotically Induced Filaments of Salmonella enterica

Zachary L. Pratt, Bingming Chen, Charles J. Czuprynski et al. · 2012 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Salmonella enterica forms aseptate filaments with multiple nucleoids when cultured in hyperosmotic conditions. These osmotic-induced filaments are viable and form single colonies on agar plates even though they contain multiple genomes and…

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Using Silviculture to Influence Carbon Sequestration in Southern Appalachian Spruce-Fir Forests

Patrick Moore, R. Justin DeRose, James N. Long et al. · 2012 · Forests

Enhancement of forest growth through silvicultural modification of stand density is one strategy for increasing carbon (C) sequestration. Using the Fire and Fuels Extension of the Forest Vegetation Simulator, the effects of even-aged, uneven-aged and no-action management scenarios on C sequestration in a southern Appalachian red spruce-Fraser fir forest were modeled. We explicitly considered C stored in standing forest stocks and the fate of forest products derived from harvesting. Over a 100-year simulation period the even-aged scenario (250 Mg C ha−1) outperformed the no-action scenario (241

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Spatial prediction of soil properties in two contrasting physiographic regions in Brazil

Michele Duarte de Menezes, Sérgio Henrique Godinho Silva, Carlos Rogério de Mello et al. · 2016 · Scientia Agricola

This study compared the performance of ordinary kriging (OK) and regression kriging (RK) to predict soil physical-chemical properties in topsoil (0-15 cm). Mean prediction of error and root mean square of prediction error were used to assess the prediction methods. Two watersheds with contrasting soil-landscape features were studied, for which the prediction methods were performed differently. A multiple linear stepwise regression model was performed with RK using digital terrain models (DTMs) and remote sensing images in order to choose the best auxiliary covariates. Different pedogenic facto

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Variation in tree mortality and regeneration affect forest carbon recovery following fuel treatments and wildfire in the Lake Tahoe Basin, California, USA

Chris H. Carlson, Solomon Z. Dobrowski, Hugh D. Safford · 2012 · Carbon Balance and Management

BACKGROUND: Forest fuel treatments have been proposed as tools to stabilize carbon stocks in fire-prone forests in the Western U.S.A. Although fuel treatments such as thinning and burning are known to immediately reduce forest carbon stocks, there are suggestions that these losses may be paid back over the long-term if treatments sufficiently reduce future wildfire severity, or prevent deforestation. Although fire severity and post-fire tree regeneration have been indicated as important influences on long-term carbon dynamics, it remains unclear how natural variability in these processes might

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Osmotic stress in colony and planktonic cells of Pseudomonas putida mt-2 revealed significant differences in adaptive response mechanisms

Nancy Hachicho, Astrid Birnbaum, Hermann J. Heipieper · 2017 · AMB Express

Planktonic cells and those grown on surfaces (or as colony biofilm) are known to show significant differences regarding growth behavior, cell physiology, gene expression and stress tolerance. In order to compare stress behavior of different growth forms, shake cultures for planktonic growth and agar plate cultivation for colony growth, were carried out with the well investigated model organism, Pseudomonas putida mt-2. Cells were exposed to sodium chloride to cause osmotic stress as one main environmental stressor bacteria have to cope with when growing in soil. Planktonic cells were more tole

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Montpellier broom (Genista monspessulana) and Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) in South Africa: An assessment of invasiveness and options for management

Sjirk Geerts, Pieter Willem Botha, Vernon Visser et al. · 2013 · South African Journal of Botany

The legumes (Fabaceae) Genista monspessulana and Spartium junceum are major invaders in several other parts of the world, but not yet so in South Africa. We determine their current distributions in South Africa at different spatial scales, assess population structure (soil seed banks and size at reproduction) evaluate current management activities, and provide recommendations for control (including assessing the feasibility of nation-wide eradication). G. monspessulana occurs at nine localities in three quarter-degree cells, covering a total of 22.7 ha. S. junceum is much more widespread, occu

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Can Social Comparison Feedback Affect Indicators of Eco-Friendly Travel Choices? Insights from Two Online Experiments

Rouven Doran, Daniel Hanss, Torvald Øgaard · 2017 · Sustainability

Two online experiments explored the effects of social comparison feedback on indicators of eco-friendly travel choices. It was tested whether the chosen indicators are sensitive to the information conveyed, and if this varies as a function of in-group identification. Study 1 (N = 134) focused on unfavourable feedback (i.e., being told that one has a larger ecological footprint than the average member of a reference group). People who received unfavourable feedback reported stronger intentions to choose eco-friendly travel options than those who received nondiscrepant feedback, when in-group id

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Negative / Null Result ReportEnvironmental Science

Restoring Attentional Resources With Nature: A Replication Study of Berto’s (2005) Paradigm Including Commentary From Dr. Rita Berto

Brittany N. Neilson, Curtis M. Craig, Raelyn Y. Curiel et al. · 2020 · Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to replicate Berto's (2005) heavily cited work on attention restoration. BACKGROUND: Nature interventions have gained increased interest for improving performance of attentionally demanding tasks. Berto…

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Contest-Based and Norm-Based Interventions: (How) Do They Differ in Attitudes, Norms, and Behaviors?

Magnus Bergquist, Andréas Nilsson, Emma Ejelöv · 2019 · Sustainability

Setting up a contest is a popular means to promote pro-environmental behaviors. Yet, research on contest-based interventions is scarce while norm-based interventions have gained much attention. In two field experiments, we randomly assigned 79 apartments to either a contest-based or a norm-based electricity conservation intervention and measured kWh usage for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Results from both studies showed that contest-based interventions promote intensive but short-lived electricity saving. In Study 1 apartments assigned to a norm-based intervention showed more stable electricit

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Artificial agri‐environment scheme ponds do not replicate natural environments despite higher aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate richness and abundance

Marina Reyne, Myles Nolan, Henry McGuiggan et al. · 2020 · Journal of Applied Ecology

Abstract Farmland ponds are a highly threatened freshwater habitat which has undergone dramatic losses during the last 200 years due to land drainage schemes and agricultural intensification. Agri‐environment schemes (AES) incentivize farmers to adopt farming methods to benefit biodiversity, yet there are a paucity of data evaluating the success of artificially created AES ponds as analogues of natural ponds in an attempt to recreate lost environments. We examined variation in environmental parameters and aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate communities between 38 natural ponds and 91 artifici

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Significant Differences in the Effects of Nitrogen Doping on Pristine Biochar and Graphene-like Biochar for the Adsorption of Tetracycline

Lingling Rong, Ligui Wu, Tiao Zhang et al. · 2023 · Molecules

To improve the adsorption efficiency of pollutants by biochar, preparing graphene-like biochar (GBC) or nitrogen-doped biochar are two commonly used methods. However, the difference in the nitrogen doping (N-doping) effects upon the adsorption of pollutants by pristine biochar (PBC) and GBC, as well as the underlying mechanisms, are still unclear. Take the tetracycline (TC) as an example, the present study analyzed the characteristics of the adsorption of TCs on biochars (PBC, GBC, N-PBC, N-GBC), and significant differences in the effects of N-doping on the adsorption of TCs by PBC and GBC wer

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Developmental psychologists should adopt citizen science to improve generalization and reproducibility

Wei Li, Laura Germine, Samuel A. Mehr et al. · 2022 · Infant and Child Development

Widespread failures of replication and generalization are, ironically, a scientific triumph, in that they confirm the fundamental metascientific theory that underlies our field. Generalizable and replicable findings require testing large…

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

The dimensionality reductions of environmental variables have a significant effect on the performance of species distribution models

Haotian Zhang, Wen‐Yong Guo, Wenting Wang · 2023 · Ecology and Evolution

How to effectively obtain species-related low-dimensional data from massive environmental variables has become an urgent problem for species distribution models (SDMs). In this study, we will explore whether dimensionality reduction on environmental variables can improve the predictive performance of SDMs. We first used two linear (i.e., principal component analysis (PCA) and independent components analysis) and two nonlinear (i.e., kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) and uniform manifold approximation and projection) dimensionality reduction techniques (DRTs) to reduce the dimensionali

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

The Origins and Control of Forest Fires in the Tropics

Clare Balboni, Robin Burgess, Benjamin Olken · 2025 · The Review of Economic Studies

Abstract Environmental externalities—uncompensated damages imposed on others—lie at the root of climate change, pollution, deforestation and biodiversity loss. Empirical evidence is limited, however, as to how externalities drive private decision making. We study one such behaviour, illegal tropical forest fires, using 15 years of daily satellite data covering over 107,000 fires across Indonesia. Weather-induced variation in fire spread risk and variation in who owns surrounding land allow us to identify how far externalities influence the decision to use fire. Relative to when all spread risk

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Does fox control improve red–legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) survival? An experimental study in Northern Spain

IREC, CSIC–UCLM–JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain, Ainhoa Mateo-Moriones, Rafael Villafuerte et al. · 2012 · Animal Biodiversity and Conservation

This work evaluates the effectiveness of fox control as a method to improve the survival of red–legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). We radio–tracked 89 adult partridges and their chicks (62 few days old chicks and 46 over one–month–old chicks) and monitored their nests (N = 45) on two hunting estates in northern Spain over two years. Generalist predators (red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and magpie, Pica pica) were selectively controlled on one half of each estate during the first year, and on the other half in the second year. We estimated the effect of predator control on survival rates. Predator cont

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Negative / Null Result ReportEnvironmental Science

Stream Mesocosm Experiments Show Significant Differences in Sensitivity of Larval and Emerging Adults to Metals

Christopher J. Kotalik, William H. Clements · 2019 · Environmental Science & Technology

Evaluations of aquatic insect responses to contaminants typically use larval life stages to characterize taxa sensitivity, but the effects of contaminants to emerging terrestrial adults have received less attention. We present the results…

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Negative / Null Result ReportEnvironmental Science

Effects of competition with Bromus tectorum on early establishment of Poa secunda accessions: can seed source impact restoration success?

Mollie E. Herget, Kristina M. Hufford, Daniel L. Mummey et al. · 2015 · Restoration Ecology

When landscapes are heavily impacted by biological invasion, local populations of native plant species may no longer be adapted to altered environmental conditions. In these cases, it is useful to investigate alternative sources of…

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Volumetric urban sprawl: Horizontal and vertical growth in two metropolitans

Alì Soltani, Parviz Azizi, Aliasghar Rahimioun et al. · 2025 · Journal of Urban Management

The escalating complexities of rapid urbanization necessitate a paradigm shift in urban form evaluation, moving beyond traditional horizontal analyses to incorporate the crucial dimension of vertical growth. This study pioneers a volumetric approach, integrating 3D and 2D spatial analyses, to dissect compactness, sprawl, and their underlying drivers across two contrasting metropolitan regions: the Tehran Metropolitan Region (TMR) and the Greater Sydney Region (GSR) over a 40-year period (1980s–2020s). Our findings reveal a striking dichotomy: TMR exhibits pronounced ‘vertical sprawl,’ characte

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Sub-lethal effects of energy development on a migratory mammal—The enigma of North American pronghorn

Jon P. Beckmann, Sarah H. Olson, Renee G. Seidler et al. · 2016 · Global Ecology and Conservation

To meet societal demands for energy, ∼50,000 gas sites are developed annually in North America, among which many are in western less-developed and wildlife rich areas. To evaluate effects of increasing energy infrastructure requires…

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Negative / Null Result ReportOpen accessEnvironmental Science

Resolving a heated debate: The utility of prescribed burning as a management tool for biodiversity on lowland heath

Barbara Smith, Dan Carpenter, J. M. Holland et al. · 2023 · Journal of Applied Ecology

Abstract Lowland heath is a priority habitat for conservation, nowadays largely managed for biodiversity. Historically, prescribed burning has been the principal management tool, but there are increasing calls to substitute burning with cutting to improve biodiversity outcomes. However, poor understanding of potential impacts compromises decision making. Our study was carried out in the New Forest National Park, the largest area of lowland heath in Europe. Using a multi‐trophic approach, we compared the ecological impact of prescribed burning with two types of vegetation cutting (swiping and b

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