The multiplicative models used to determine zooplankton feeding rates lead to increased uncertainty of the estimated grazing rate through the propagation of experimental error. The quantification of algal growth rates in control jars constitutes one of the main sources of error, which can account for most of the observed residual variability in zooplankton experimental data. This effect increases with increasing growth rate. Increasing the number of control jars and improving other methodological procedures should help to reduce this effect. |