Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"[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
Synopsis
Statistical analysis of data is fundamentally important in ecology but most ecologists have difficulty with conducting analyses. McCarthy describes how to use Bayesian methods to analyse a wide range of data and models in ecology. This accessible text will appeal to academic researchers, upper undergraduate and graduate students of Ecology.
Synopsis
Statistical analysis of data and models is fundamentally important in ecology. There is increasing interest in using Bayesian methods in ecology, but most ecologists have difficulty with conducting the required analyses. This book aims to bridge the gap by describing how to use Bayesian methods to analyse a wide range of data and models in ecology. Free software is available as well as an accompanying web-site containing the data files and WinBUGS codes. It will appeal to academic researchers, upper undergraduate and graduate students of Ecology.
Synopsis
An accessible text describing how to use Bayesian methods of statistical analysis in ecology.
About the Author
Michael A. McCarthy is Senior Ecologist at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne and Senior Fellow in the School of Botany at the University of Melbourne.
Table of Contents
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.