Hello,
I am a beginner using M-Surge to study cost of reproduction in an iteroparous vertebrate. I am using 4 states, based on the “reproductive intensity” and am looking for difference in probability to breed and survive the following season (year t+1) according to breeding status year t.
I have some very basic questions regarding the GEMACO language:
1. does it make sense to use “different” states for the previous (from) and the current state (to)? For example, is it OK to define a model like: Psi [from(1, 2:4).to(1, 2, 3, 4]?
2. If yes, do I have to change the “Transition patterns” matrix for this particular model?
3. Then, I am using some covariates to model yearly variations in survival. For example, I would like to see whether variations in survival can be explained by variation in spring temperature (data normalized before analyses). The most parsimonious model I found for survival was : Phi[f(1, 2:4).t + a]. To test for covariate effect, is this OK to write: Phi[f(1, 2:4).t*x + f(1, 2:4) + a] ?
Thanks a lot,
Laurent