Simultaneous estimation of population size and habitat selection using line transect sampling
by
Bryan F.J. Manly
Western EcoSystems Technology Inc., Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA

A resource selection probability function (RSPF) is a function w(X1,X2,...,Xp) that, when evaluated for a resource unit (e.g. a plot of land), gives the probability that the unit will be used by either an individual animal or a group of animals, depending on the variables X1, X2, ..., Xp that describe the nature of the unit. Such a function is useful, for example, for assessing the value of potential new resources, where such resources might be food or habitat. Often a RSPF is estimated by comparing a random sample of used units with a random sample of available units. In this talk I will discuss the estimation of the RSPF when the sample of used units is collected by line transect sampling. In that case the probability of recording a used unit will generally depend on the distance from the sampling line, and possibly also on the nature of the habitat on the unit. Line transect sampling is usually conducted to estimate the density of an animal population. Combining this with a random sample of available units allows the estimation of a RSPF as well.

Date received: August 8, 2001

Copyright © 2001 by the author(s). The author(s) of this document and the organizers of the conference have granted their consent to include this abstract in Atlas Conferences Inc. Document # cahg-12.