Statistical methods in the context of environmental quality assessment: On the example of riparian beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Abstract

Modern environmental research involves the use of a broad range of statistical methods and programs. In any study, the results are obtained, as a rule, using statistical calculations, beginning with the calculation of reliability of data, and ending with complex statistical methods that allow estimating trends and predicting the processes that are evaluated. However, there is a problem associated with the correct interpretation of biological results by experts in statistics and, accordingly, the correctness of the choice and application of various statistical methods by biologists. In this paper, the evaluation of the results of studies of the effect of changes in the hydrological regime of the river caused by the functioning of the dam on the structure and spatial distribution of riparian carabids was considered. On the banks of intact rivers, the structure of the riparian assemblage naturally changes depending on the quality of coastal sediments. In order to assess the changes in the structure of the riparian assemblage, a number of statistical methods were employed. It was shown that not every method will adequately interpret the results of ecological studies. The differences in obtaining adequate interpretations while using various statistical methods were understood.