Concentrations of lipophilic contaminants in biota are frequently corrected for variation in tissue lipid content. Usually, this correction is accomplished by dividing tissue contaminant concentration by lipid concentration to form lipid‐normalized data. This ratio‐based approach is satisfactory when contaminant concentration varies in direct proportion to lipid content. However, when such a relationship does not exist, erroneous conclusions may be reached. Recent research has emphasized the potential shortcomings of the use of ratio variables. We demonstrate the importance of considering these shortcomings when lipid‐normalizing data. Three examples are presented, and an alternative approach based upon the use of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) is suggested.
The IUCN World Parks Congress is a once in a decade event that has traditionally been a major forum for advancing global protected area policy and practice. The Congress this November in Sydney Australia will be run along eight streams; addressing biodiversity, climate change, health, ecosystem services, development, governance, indigenous peoples issues and youth; cross-cutting themes address marine issues, capacity building, World Heritage and a New Social Compact. In the following extended editorial, the organisers of the various streams lay out their aims and hopes for the 2014 Congress.
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