Using areas of known occupancy to identify sources of variation in detection probability of raptors: taking time lowers replication effort for surveys.

ABSTRACT: Species occurring at low density can be difficult to detect and if not properly accounted for, imperfect detection will lead to inaccurate estimates of occupancy. Understanding sources of variation in detection probability and how they can be managed is a key part of monitoring. We used sightings data of a low-density and elusive raptor (white-headed vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis) in areas of known occupancy (breeding territories) in a likelihood-based modelling approach to calculate detection probability and the factors affecting it. Because occupancy was known a priori to be 100%, we fixed the model occupancy parameter to 1.0 and focused on identifying sources of variation in detection probability. Using detection histories from 359 territory visits, we assessed nine cova

SUBMITTER: Murn C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5098977 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature