The mean function provides robustness to linear inverse modelling flow estimation in food webs: A comparison of functions derived from statistics and ecological theories

► MCMC-LIM is a method for estimating possible values for all flows within a food web. ► The question is then how to determine the best solution among possible values. ► Robustness was tested for 3 statistical and 7 ecological goal functions for this choice. ► The mean function was the most robust and we recommend its use in future research.