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User’s manual for basic version of MCnest Markov chain nest productivity model
Citation:
Bennett, R. AND M. Etterson. User’s manual for basic version of MCnest Markov chain nest productivity model. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R/13/034, 2013.
Impact/Purpose:
The Markov Chain Nest Productivity Model (or MCnest) integrates existing toxicity information from three standardized avian toxicity tests with information on species life history and the timing of pesticide applications relative to the timing of avian breeding seasons to quantitatively estimate the impact of pesticide-use scenarios on the annual reproductive success of bird populations. MCnest provides risk assessors with a tool to go beyond the current screening-level quotient method approaches for assessing reproductive effects by estimating the proportional change in reproductive success. MCnest translates toxicity information into the currency needed for conducting a population-level assessment of pesticide risks. The User’s Manual provides users with an introduction and examples of all the features of the MCnest model.
Description:
The Markov Chain Nest Productivity Model (or MCnest) integrates existing toxicity information from three standardized avian toxicity tests with information on species life history and the timing of pesticide applications relative to the timing of avian breeding seasons to quantitatively estimate the impact of pesticide-use scenarios on the annual reproductive success of bird populations. MCnest provides risk assessors with a tool to go beyond the current screening-level quotient method approaches for assessing reproductive effects by estimating the proportional change in reproductive success. MCnest translates toxicity information into the currency needed for conducting a population-level assessment of pesticide risks. The User’s Manual provides users with an introduction and examples of all the features of the MCnest model.