Abstract
The cascade model is a standard model for food web data. This article describes a method for testing the cascade model that complements existing tests. Like existing tests, the new test is conditional on the number of links observed in the predation matrix. One important feature of the cascade model is that an ordering of species is required, but in practice the true order is unknown. This feature has important implications for tests of the model, both for the new test and for existing tests. The analysis here does not require a single assumed order. Some real food webs are used for illustration.
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Roberts, J.M. Testing the cascade model for food webs. JABES 8, 196–204 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1198/1085711031544
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1198/1085711031544