Realism and usefulness of multispecies experiment designs with regard to application in radioecology: a review

Abstract Multispecies experiments like microcosms and mesocosms are widely used in many fields of research but not in radioecology. In radioecology, size limitations are important as large experimental volumes involve problems with waste (radionuclides), or shielding, absorption and available space in gamma fields (often within a climate chamber). We have therefore performed a literature review (ISI web of science, n=406) of the design and properties of multispecies effect studies