Are the numbers adding up? Exploiting discrepancies among complementary population models.

ABSTRACT: Large carnivores are difficult to monitor because they tend to be sparsely distributed, sensitive to human activity, and associated with complex life histories. Consequently, understanding population trend and viability requires conservationists to cope with uncertainty and bias in population data. Joint analysis of combined data sets using multiple models (i.e., integrated population model) can improve inference about mechanisms (e.g., habitat heterogeneity and food distribution) affecting population dynamics. However, unobserved or unobservable processes can also introduce bias and can be difficult to quantify. We developed a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach for inference on an integrated population model that reconciles annual population counts with recruitment and survival data

SUBMITTER: Stenglein JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4314269 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature