Distance Sampling: Estimating Abundance of Biological Populations

1 Introductory concepts.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Range of applications.- 1.3 Types of data.- 1.4 Known constants and parameters.- 1.5 Assumptions.- 1.6 Fundamental concept.- 1.7 Detection.- 1.8 History of methods.- 1.9 Program DISTANCE.- 2 Assumptions and modelling philosophy.- 2.1 Assumptions.- 2.2 Fundamental models.- 2.3 Philosophy and strategy.- 2.4 Robust models.- 2.5 Some analysis guidelines.- 3 Statistical theory.- 3.1 General formula.- 3.2 Hazard-rate modelling of the detection process.- 3.3 The key function formulation for distance data.- 3.4 Maximum likelihood methods.- 3.5 Choice of model.- 3.6 Estimation for clustered populations.- 3.7 Density, variance and interval estimation.- 3.8 Stratification and covariates.- 4 Line transects.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Example data.- 4.3 Truncation.- 4.4 Estimating the variance in sample size.- 4.5 Analysis of grouped or ungrouped data.- 4.6 Model selection.- 4.7 Estimation of density and measures of precision.- 4.8 Estimation when the objects are in clusters.- 4.9 Assumptions.- 4.10 Summary.- 5 Point transects.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Example data.- 5.3 Truncation.- 5.4 Estimating the variance in sample size.- 5.5 Analysis of grouped or ungrouped data.- 5.6 Model selection.- 5.7 Estimation of density and measures of precision.- 5.8 Estimation when the objects are in clusters.- 5.9 Assumptions.- 5.10 Summary.- 6 Extensions and related work.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Other models.- 6.3 Modelling variation in encounter rate and cluster size.- 6.4 Estimation of the probability of detection on the line or point.- 6.5 On the concept of detection search effort.- 6.6 Fixed versus random sample size.- 6.7 Efficient simulation of distance data.- 6.8 Thoughts about a full likelihood approach.- 6.9 Distance sampling in three dimensions.- 6.10 Cue counting.- 6.11 Trapping webs.- 6.12 Migration counts.- 6.13 Point-to-object and nearest neighbour methods.- 7 Study design and field methods.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Survey design.- 7.3 Searching behaviour.- 7.4 Measurements.- 7.5 Training observers.- 7.6 Field methods for mobile objects.- 7.7 Field methods when detection on the centerline is not certain.- 7.8 Field comparisons between line transects, point transects and mapping censuses.- 7.9 Summary.- 8 Illustrative examples.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Lake Huron brick data.- 8.3 Wooden stake data.- 8.4 Studies of nest density.- 8.5 Fin whale abundance in the North Atlantic.- 8.6 Use of tuna vessel observer data to assess trends in abundance of dolphins.- 8.7 House wren densities in South Platte River bottomland.- 8.8 Songbird surveys in Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge.- 8.9 Assessing the effects of habitat on density.- Appendix A List of common and scientific names cited.- Appendix B Notation and abbreviations, and their definitions.