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Abstract Aquatic insects use polarized light as a reliable visual cue for locating water surfaces given their need to locate sites for oviposition. However, many man-made surfaces polarize light more strongly than natural waterbodies creating an evolutionary trap in which many species preferentially lay their eggs on these polarizing artificial surfaces. Previous work has shown that the attractiveness of artificial surfaces to aquatic insects is diminished by adding non-polarizing gridlines to these surfaces. However, it is unknown how this mitigation affects aquatic insect preferences. We tested two alternative hypotheses about how aquatic insects judge the quality of potential oviposition sites. The visual averaging hypothesis states that insects judge the quality of a surface based on the percent area of the surface that is polarizing. An alternative hypothesis is that the quality of a polarizing surface is judged by the degree to which it is fragmented by non-polarizing elements. This experiment was conducted using oil tray traps as artificial polarizers whose percentage of polarizing area and the presence/absence of fragmentation was manipulated. Only Diptera were captured in sufficient numbers to test the hypotheses. Our findings for the dominant family in our captures, Dolichopodidae, were consistent with the visual averaging hypothesis – increasing the percent area that was non-polarizing significantly decreased captures, but the fragmentation of a polarizing surface had no significant effect on the number captured. For the other families of aquatic Diptera combined, however, there was a complex interactive effect of percent area of a surface that was polarizing and its fragmentation by non-polarizing gridlines. For the conservation of aquatic insects, these findings support the effectiveness of reducing the attractiveness of artificial polarizing surfaces such as solar panels by adding non-polarizing elements, but also show that for some aquatic insects, it is important to consider if the non-polarizing elements fragment the surface. 

ABSTRACT Spatial synchrony, the tendency for temporal fluctuations in an ecological variable to be positively associated in different locations, is a widespread and important phenomenon in ecology. Understanding of the nature and mechanisms of synchrony, and how synchrony is changing, has developed rapidly over the past 2 decades. Many recent developments have taken place through the study of long‐term data sets. Here, we review and synthesise some important recent advances in spatial synchrony, with a focus on how long‐term data have facilitated new understanding. Longer time series do not just facilitate better testing of existing ideas or more precise statistical results; more importantly, they also frequently make possible the expansion of conceptual paradigms. We discuss several such advances in our understanding of synchrony, how long‐term data led to these advances, and how future studies can continue to improve the state of knowledge. 

Abstract Synthesis research in ecology and environmental science improves understanding, advances theory, identifies research priorities, and supports management strategies by linking data, ideas, and tools. Accelerating environmental challenges increases the need to focus synthesis science on the most pressing questions. To leverage input from the broader research community, we convened a virtual workshop with participants from many countries and disciplines to examine how and where synthesis can address key questions and themes in ecology and environmental science in the coming decade. Seven priority research topics emerged: (1) diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), (2) human and natural systems, (3) actionable and use‐inspired science, (4) scale, (5) generality, (6) complexity and resilience, and (7) predictability. Additionally, two issues regarding the general practice of synthesis emerged: the need for increased participant diversity and inclusive research practices; and increased and improved data flow, access, and skill‐building. These topics and practices provide a strategic vision for future synthesis in ecology and environmental science.