Optimizing stable isotope sampling design in terrestrial movement ecology research

The recognition of adequate sampling designs is an interdisciplinary topic that has gained popularity over the last decades. In ecology, many research questions involve across extensive and complex environmental gradients. This case for stable isotope analyses, which are widely used to characterize large-scale movement patterns dietary preferences organisms taxa. Because natural-abundance variation in environment incorporated into inert animal tissues, such as feathers or hair, it possible draw inferences about type food water resources individuals consumed locations where tissues were synthesized. However, modern can benefit from implementation robust statistical analyses well-designed approaches improve geographic assignment interpretation. We employed hydrogen simulations study regarding probability origin migratory reveal gaps efforts while highlighting uncertainties model extrapolations. present integrative approach explores multiple strategies species with different ranges understand advantages limitations based on data. show characteristics through isotopic gradients establish a set diagnostic tools uncover attributes these evaluate results. Our analysis demonstrates regimes should be evaluated relation specific constraints, adopting single method lead costly but less effective strategy.