Influences of Availability on Parameter Estimates from Site Occupancy Models with Application to Submersed Aquatic Vegetation
Natural Resource Modeling
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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.
Suggested Citation
Gray, B.R., Holland, M., Yi, F., and Starcevich, L.A., 2013, Influences of Availability on Parameter Estimates from Site Occupancy Models with Application to Submersed Aquatic Vegetation: Natural Resource Modeling, v. 26, no. 4, p. 526-545, https://doi.org/10.1111/nrm.12012.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Influences of Availability on Parameter Estimates from Site Occupancy Models with Application to Submersed Aquatic Vegetation |
| Series title | Natural Resource Modeling |
| DOI | 10.1111/nrm.12012 |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Publication Date | April 08, 2013 |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center |
| Description | 20 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Natural Resource Modeling |
| First page | 526 |
| Last page | 545 |