Accounting for imperfect detection of groups and individuals when estimating abundance.

ABSTRACT: If animals are independently detected during surveys, many methods exist for estimating animal abundance despite detection probabilities <1. Common estimators include double-observer models, distance sampling models and combined double-observer and distance sampling models (known as mark-recapture-distance-sampling models; MRDS). When animals reside in groups, however, the assumption of independent detection is violated. In this case, the standard approach is to account for imperfect detection of groups, while assuming that individuals within groups are detected perfectly. However, this assumption is often unsupported. We introduce an abundance estimator for grouped animals when detection of groups is imperfect and group size may be under-counted, but not over-counted. The estimator combin

SUBMITTER: Clement MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5606903 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature