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Improved population estimates through the use of auxiliary information

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Edited by: C.J. Ralph and J. M. Scott

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Abstract

When estimating the size of a population of birds, the investigator may have, in addition to an estimator based on a statistical sample, information on one of several auxiliary variables, such as: (1) estimates of the population made on previous occasions, (2) measures of habitat variables associated with the size of the population, and (3) estimates of the population sizes of other species that correlate with the species of interest. Although many studies have described the relationships between each of these kinds of data and the population size to be estimated, very little work has been done to improve the estimator by incorporating such auxiliary information. A statistical methodology termed 'empirical Bayes' seems to be appropriate to these situations. The potential that empirical Bayes methodology has for improved estimation of the population size of the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is explored. In the example considered, three empirical Bayes estimators were found to reduce the error by one-fourth to one-half of that of the usual estimator.
Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Improved population estimates through the use of auxiliary information
Year Published 1981
Language English
Contributing office(s) Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Description 5 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Other Government Series
Larger Work Title Estimating numbers of terrestrial birds. Cooper Ornithological Society Studies in Avian Biology
First page 436
Last page 440
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