Read this and answer the following questions. [Note that the reading in the next section may also be helpful for some of these questions.]

  1. Define L∞, K, t0, L0, ω, L1, L2, and L3 (be very specific with these definitions, possibly including what these items are NOT.)
  2. What data is required to fit a VBGF?
  3. Write the equations for the typical, original, Schnute, Gallucci and Quinn, and Francis parametrizations of the von Bertlanffy Growth Function (VBGF).
  4. How will the fits of these various VBGF parameterizatons differ?
  5. What are the assumptions required to fit a VBGF with nonlinear regression?

Read Section 12.1-12.3 in Ogle (2016) and answer the following questions.

  1. What R function is used to find starting values for fitting a VBGF? What arguments does it need?
  2. What R function is used for fitting a nonlinear regression? What arguments does it need for fitting a growth model?