Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-7-2011

Publication Title

PloS One

Department

Department of Anthropology

Additional Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

Bayesian mixing models have allowed for the inclusion of uncertainty and prior information in the analysis of trophic interactions using stable isotopes. Formulating prior distributions is relatively straightforward when incorporating dietary data. However, the use of data that are related, but not directly proportional, to diet (such as prey availability data) is often problematic because such information is not necessarily predictive of diet, and the information required to build a reliable prior distribution for all prey species is often unavailable. Omitting prey availability data impacts the estimation of a predator's diet and introduces the strong assumption of consumer ultrageneralism (where all prey are consumed in equal proportions), particularly when multiple prey have similar isotope values.

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0022015

Included in

Life Sciences Commons

Share

COinS