Increasing point-count duration increases standard error
Journal of Field Ornithology
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Abstract
We examined data from point counts of varying duration in bottomland forests of west Tennessee and the Mississippi Alluvial Valley to determine if counting interval influenced sampling efficiency. Estimates of standard error increased as point count duration increased both for cumulative number of individuals and species in both locations. Although point counts appear to yield data with standard errors proportional to means, a square root transformation of the data may stabilize the variance. Using long (>10 min) point counts may reduce sample size and increase sampling error, both of which diminish statistical power and thereby the ability to detect meaningful changes in avian populations.
Suggested Citation
Smith, W., Twedt, D., Hamel, P., Ford, R., Wiedenfeld, D., and Cooper, R., 1998, Increasing point-count duration increases standard error: Journal of Field Ornithology, v. 69, no. 3, p. 450-456.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Increasing point-count duration increases standard error |
| Series title | Journal of Field Ornithology |
| Volume | 69 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1998 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 450-456 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Field Ornithology |
| First page | 450 |
| Last page | 456 |