Examining the occupancy–density relationship for a low‐density carnivore

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 54(6), P. 2043 - 2052

Published: Feb. 8, 2017

Summary The challenges associated with monitoring low‐density carnivores across large landscapes have limited the ability to implement and evaluate conservation management strategies for such species. Non‐invasive sampling techniques advanced statistical approaches alleviated some of these can even allow spatially explicit estimates density, one most valuable wildlife tools. For species, individual identification comes at no cost when unique attributes (e.g. pelage patterns) be discerned remote cameras, while other species require viable genetic material expensive laboratory processing assignment. Prohibitive costs may still force efforts use distribution or occupancy as a surrogate which not appropriate under many conditions. Here, we used large‐scale study fisher Pekania pennanti effectiveness an approximation particularly informing harvest decisions. We combined cameras baited hair snares during 2013–2015 sample 70 096‐km 2 region western New York, USA . fit Royle–Nichols models detection–non‐detection data collected by spatial capture–recapture (SCR) encounter obtained genotyped samples. Variation in state variables within 15‐km grid cells was modelled function landscape known influence distribution. found close relationship between cell from using those SCR model, likely due informative covariates extent resolution that worked well movement ecology Fisher density were both positively proportion coniferous‐mixed forest negatively road density. As result, recommendations similar models, though relative variation dampened data. Synthesis applications Our work provides empirical evidence make inferences regarding focal population more encounters selected grain approximates is marginally smaller than home range size. When alone chosen cost‐effective variable monitoring, simulation sensitivity analyses should understand how will affected aspects design ecology.

Language: Английский

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Effects of spatial autocorrelation and imperfect detection on species distribution models

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 9(6), P. 1614 - 1625

Published: Feb. 9, 2018

Abstract Species distribution models ( SDM s) are widely used in ecology and related fields. They frequently adopted to predict the expected occurrence (presence/absence) or abundance over large spatial scales, that is, produce a species map. Two issues almost universally affect these measurement errors (especially imperfect detection) residual autocorrelation. We explored effects of detection autocorrelation by simulating datasets which did not contain two analysing them with four different accommodate them. Specifically, we Poisson GLM as baseline, an N‐mixture model accounting only for accounted detection, but differed their specification CAR random vs. two‐dimensional splines). In case study, then applied Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus data from second Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas (1993–1996) validated using independent monitoring dataset. found both strongly affected quality uncertainty maps, especially when they occurred together. Spatial were well able estimate true maps. Explicit modelling error can thus greatly improve s should be ignored producing large‐scale

Language: Английский

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Species distribution modeling: a statistical review with focus in spatio-temporal issues

Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 32(11), P. 3227 - 3244

Published: April 19, 2018

Language: Английский

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Impacts of people and tigers on leopard spatiotemporal activity patterns in a global biodiversity hotspot

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 3, P. 149 - 162

Published: Nov. 26, 2014

Leopard population declines largely occur in areas where leopards and people frequently interact. Research on how respond to human presence competitors, like other predators, can provide important insights leopard ecology conservation human-dominated regions; however, such research is lacking. Here we used data from field cameras 2010 2011 examine presence, prey, tigers influence spatiotemporal activity patterns around Nepal's Chitwan National Park, part of a global biodiversity hotspot. We found that were adjusting their both people, but by different mechanisms. Leopards spatially avoided 2010, generally active at the same times day were. Despite pervasive foot vehicles had no significant effect detection space use, temporal was displaced those periods time with highest activity. Temporal displacement humans especially pronounced outside park, there much greater prevalence natural resource collection local people. Continuing evaluate interconnections among leopards, tigers, across land management regimes needed develop robust landscape-scale strategies.

Language: Английский

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A Moran coefficient-based mixed effects approach to investigate spatially varying relationships

Spatial Statistics, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 19, P. 68 - 89

Published: Dec. 18, 2016

Language: Английский

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Hierarchical Species Distribution Models

Current Landscape Ecology Reports, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 1(2), P. 87 - 97

Published: June 1, 2016

Language: Английский

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ubms: An R package for fitting hierarchical occupancy and N‐mixture abundance models in a Bayesian framework

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 577 - 584

Published: Dec. 2, 2021

Abstract Obtaining unbiased estimates of wildlife distribution and abundance is an important objective in research management. Occupancy N‐mixture models, which correct for imperfect detection, are commonly used this purpose. Fitting these models a Bayesian framework has advantages but doing so can be challenging time‐consuming many researchers. We developed R package, ubms , provides easy‐to‐use, formula‐based interface fitting occupancy, other using Stan. The package also tools visualizing parameter effects, calculating residuals, assessing goodness‐of‐fit comparing models. demonstrate the use by model to ruffed grouse Bonasa umbellus count data from drumming surveys conducted at roadside points sampled on five occasions annually during 2013–2015. To functionality we survey site as random effect, occasion date per cent aspen cover each covariates detection respectively. top‐ranked included positive effect abundance. potential greatly increase range users who will able rigorously assess species while correcting framework.

Language: Английский

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Living on the edge: Opportunities for Amur tiger recovery in China

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 217, P. 269 - 279

Published: Nov. 21, 2017

Language: Английский

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Bayesian data analysis in population ecology: motivations, methods, and benefits

Population Ecology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 58(1), P. 31 - 44

Published: Sept. 7, 2015

Abstract During the 20th century ecologists largely relied on frequentist system of inference for analysis their data. However, in past few decades have become increasingly interested use Bayesian methods data analysis. In this article I provide guidance to who would like decide whether can be used improve conclusions and predictions. begin by providing a concise summary analysis, including comparison differences between approaches when using hierarchical models. Next list problems where may arguably preferred over methods. These are usually encountered analyses based models describe essentials required applying modern computation, real‐world examples illustrate these conclude summarizing what perceive main strengths weaknesses solve ecological problems.

Language: Английский

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Dynamic occupancy models for explicit colonization processes

Ecology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 97(1), P. 194 - 204

Published: July 16, 2015

The dynamic, multi-season occupancy model framework has become a popular tool for modeling open populations with occupancies that change over time through local colonizations and extinctions. However, few versions of the relate these probabilities to neighboring sites or patches. We present incorporates this information is capable describing wide variety spatiotemporal colonization extinction processes. A key feature it based on simple set small-scale rules how process evolves. result dynamic can account complicated large-scale features. In our model, site more likely be colonized if its neighbors were previously occupied provides appealing environmental characteristics than sites. Additionally, without may also inclusion long-distance dispersal process. Although similar specifications have been developed epidemiological applications, ours formally accounts detectability using well-known framework. After demonstrating viability potential new form in simulation study, we use obtain inference ongoing Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) invasion South Africa. Our results suggest continues enlarge distribution spread via short distance movement, rather dispersal. Overall, powerful managers examining drivers including short- vs. dispersal, habitat quality, from source populations.

Language: Английский

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