scholarly journals Distance Sampling in R

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L Miller ◽  
Eric Rexstad ◽  
Len Thomas ◽  
Laura Marshall ◽  
Jeffrey L Laake

AbstractEstimating the abundance and spatial distribution of animal and plant populations is essential for conservation and management. We introduce the R package Distance that implements distance sampling methods to estimate abundance. We describe how users can obtain estimates of abundance (and density) using the package as well documenting the links it provides with other more specialized R packages. We also demonstrate how Distance provides a migration pathway from previous software, thereby allowing us to deliver cutting-edge methods to the users more quickly.

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1169-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen E. Fairweather ◽  
John F. Amrhein

Two sampling methods were used to estimate the number of seedlings per acre on a 15-month-old clear-cut in central Pennsylvania. The seedling population was very dense, and the spatial distribution was highly aggregated. The first method used distance sampling and a nonparametric estimator, and the second method used conventional quadrat sampling (milacre plots (1 milacre = 0.0004 ha)). Based on simulated sampling trials on the mapped seedling population, the distance sampling estimator was severely biased, whereas quadrat sampling yielded unbiased estimates of density.


Author(s):  
S. T. Buckland ◽  
E. A. Rexstad ◽  
T. A. Marques ◽  
C. S. Oedekoven

The Auk ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell E. Norvell ◽  
Frank P. Howe ◽  
Jimmie R. Parrish

2005 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 661-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Paula ◽  
J. C. Creed

The distribution and abundance of azooxanthellate coral Tubastraea Lesson, 1829 were examined at different depths and their slope preference was measured on rocky shores on Ilha Grande, Brazil. Tubastraea is an ahermatypic scleractinian nonindigenous to Brazil, which probably arrived on a ship's hull or oil platform in the late 1980's. The exotic coral was found along a great geographic range of the Canal Central of Ilha Grande, extending over a distance of 25 km. The abundance of Tubastraea was quantified by depth, using three different sampling methods: colony density, visual estimation and intercept points (100) for percentage of cover. Tubastraea showed ample tolerance to temperature and desiccation since it was found more abundantly in very shallow waters (0.1-0.5 m), despite the fact that hard substratum is available at greater depths at all the stations sampled. At most sites, 1 to 5 colonies per 0.25 m² were found most frequently, but occasionally more than 50 colonies were found per 0.25 m², indicating a somewhat gregarious spatial distribution for this coral. The coral Tubastraea was found to occupy slopes of every possible angle in the Canal Central of Ilha Grande, but more colonies were found occupying slopes of 80 to 100°. Therefore, its insensitivity to angles of recruitment and its tolerance for different depths makes it an organism with great ecological tolerance, with a potential to colonize new areas and increase its current range in Brazil's coastal waters.


Bird Study ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-153
Author(s):  
Mark W. Miller

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 1180-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Louise Burt ◽  
David L. Borchers ◽  
Kurt J. Jenkins ◽  
Tiago A. Marques

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S91-S108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen T. Buckland ◽  
Stuart J. Marsden ◽  
Rhys E. Green

SummaryIn many bird monitoring surveys, no attempt is made to estimate bird densities or abundance. Instead, counts of one form or another are made, and these are assumed to correlate with bird density. Unless complete counts on sample plots are feasible, this approach can easily lead to false conclusions, because detectability of birds varies by species, habitat, observer and many other factors. Trends in time of counts often reflect trends in detectability, rather than trends in abundance. Conclusions are further compromised when surveys are conducted at unrepresentative sites. We consider how to avoid these problems. We give a brief description of distance sampling methods, which allow detectability to be estimated. We consider strategies to ease their implementation, to enhance their reliability, to adapt the methods for difficult species, and to deal with circumstances in which representative sampling is problematic. We also consider some of the common problems encountered, and suggest solutions.


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