frair: an R package for fitting and comparing consumer functional responses

Abstract

Consumer-resource interactions (i.e. the functional response) underpin decades of ecological advancements. However, selecting, fitting and comparing functional response models using appropriate methods remains a non-trivial endeavour. The R package frair provides tools for selecting and differentiating various forms of consumer functional response models, a consistent interface for fitting and visualising response curves, and a selection of statistically robust methods for comparing fitted parameters. Using real data from crustacean predator-prey systems, we demonstrate the utility of frair, highlighting best practice and common analytical mistakes.