You are here:
User's Manual MCnest - Markov Chain Nest Productivity Model Version 2.0
Citation:
Etterson, M. AND K. Garber. User's Manual MCnest - Markov Chain Nest Productivity Model Version 2.0. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-17/277, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
This user’s guide is intended for use with the new (v. 2.0) release of MCnest, incorporating the Terrestrial Investigation Model. The guide gives step by step instructions for parameterizing and operating the model. It is intended for use by USEPA risk assessors in the Office of Pesticide Programs and by risk assessors and scientists within the regulated community.
Description:
The Markov chain nest productivity model, or MCnest, is a set of algorithms for integrating the results of avian toxicity tests with reproductive life-history data to project the relative magnitude of chemical effects on avian reproduction. The mathematical foundation of MCnest is in the analysis of Markov chains, which provides a flexible template for modeling the variation in avian breeding cycles among species. There are two versions MCnest available. The basic version was finalized in 2013 and is available for public download at: https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/markov-chain-nest-productivity-model. The version described in this manual extends the basic version to enable the use of exposure profiles generated using USEPAs Terrestrial Investigation Model. MCnest now accounts for background mortality to breeding females as well as the potential for adult mortality due to pesticide exposure.