Bayesian Methods for Ecology

An accessible text describing how to use Bayesian methods of statistical analysis in ecology.

Michael A. McCarthy (Author)

9780521615594, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 10 May 2007

312 pages, 47 b/w illus. 8 tables
22.6 x 15 x 1.8 cm, 0.48 kg

"[This book] will advance any ecologists' understanding of Bayesian statistics. ... the many diverse examples, which are the book's greatest strength, make the topic very approachable, even for people with moderate understanding of statistical theory. ... I therefore would highly recommend it to any ecologist interested in learning more about Bayesian statistics, and especially to those who want to learn to run Bayesian analyses in Win BUGS." - Tabitha Graves, Ecology

The interest in using Bayesian methods in ecology is increasing, however many ecologists have difficulty with conducting the required analyses. McCarthy bridges that gap, using a clear and accessible style. The text also incorporates case studies to demonstrate mark-recapture analysis, development of population models and the use of subjective judgement. The advantages of Bayesian methods, are also described here, for example, the incorporation of any relevant prior information and the ability to assess the evidence in favour of competing hypotheses. Free software is available as well as an accompanying web-site containing the data files and WinBUGS codes. Bayesian Methods for Ecology will appeal to academic researchers, upper undergraduate and graduate students of Ecology.

1. Introduction
2. Critiques of statistical methods
3. Analysing averages and frequencies
4. How good are the models?
5. Regression and correlation
6. Analysis of variance
Case studies
7. Mark-recapture analysis
8. Effects of marking frogs
9. Population dynamics
10. Subjective priors
11. Conclusion
Appendix A. A tutorial for running WinBUGS
Appendix B. Probability distributions
Appendix C. MCMC algorithms.

Subject Areas: Applied ecology [RNC], Probability & statistics [PBT]