Influences Of Availability On Parameter Estimates From Site Occupancy Models With Application To Submersed Aquatic Vegetation

9Citations
Citations of this article
20Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.
Get full text

Abstract

Site occupancy models are commonly used by ecologists to estimate the probabilities of species site occupancy and of species detection. This study addresses the influence on site occupancy and detection estimates of variation in species availability among surveys within sites. Such variation in availability may result from temporary emigration, nonavailability of the species for detection, and sampling sites spatially when species presence is not uniform within sites. We demonstrate, using Monte Carlo simulations and aquatic vegetation data, that variation in availability and heterogeneity in the probability of availability may yield biases in the expected values of the site occupancy and detection estimates that have traditionally been associated with low-detection probabilities and heterogeneity in those probabilities. These findings confirm that the effects of availability may be important for ecologists and managers, and that where such effects are expected, modification of sampling designs and/or analytical methods should be considered. Failure to limit the effects of availability may preclude reliable estimation of the probability of site occupancy. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Gray, B. R., Holland, M. D., Yi, F., & Starcevich, L. A. H. (2013). Influences Of Availability On Parameter Estimates From Site Occupancy Models With Application To Submersed Aquatic Vegetation. Natural Resource Modeling, 26(4), 526–545. https://doi.org/10.1111/nrm.12012

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free