A simulation framework for evaluating multi-stage sampling designs in populations with spatially structured traits.

ABSTRACT: Selecting an appropriate and efficient sampling strategy in biological surveys is a major concern in ecological research, particularly when the population abundance and individual traits of the sampled population are highly structured over space. Multi-stage sampling designs typically present sampling sites as primary units. However, to collect trait data, such as age or maturity, only a sub-sample of individuals collected in the sampling site is retained. Therefore, not only the sampling design, but also the sub-sampling strategy can have a major impact on important population estimates, commonly used as reference points for management and conservation. We developed a simulation framework to evaluate sub-sampling strategies from multi-stage biological surveys. Specifically, we compare qua

SUBMITTER: Puerta P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6394348 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature