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Accounting for Lack of Independence and Partial Overlap of Observation Zones in Line-Transect Mark-Recapture Distance Sampling

Author

Listed:
  • D. I. MacKenzie

    (Proteus Wildlife Research Consultants)

  • D. Clement

    (Cawthron Institute)

Abstract

Line-transect mark-recapture distance sampling methods can be used to estimate abundance when at least two observers sight and record distances to detected groups of individuals within the survey area. However, a lack of independence between the observer’s detections will cause biased abundance estimates. Studies are also typically designed such that there is complete overlap of the regions searched by the two observers, but that may not always be possible. Here we detail an intuitive approach for line-transect distance sampling applications based upon logistic regression to account for a potential lack of independence by using the detections of one observer as a covariate in the detection function of the second observer. Partial overlap of the observer survey regions can be addressed by constraining detection probability to equal 0 for the respective observer outside of the overlap zone. We show via simulation that the method provides reliable estimates of abundance and is not affected by random unmodeled heterogeneity in detection probability. The method is illustrated by estimating abundance within the covered region of an aerial line-transect survey for New Zealand’s endemic Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) conducted in the austral summer of 2013, the motivating application for this work. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear on-line.

Suggested Citation

  • D. I. MacKenzie & D. Clement, 2016. "Accounting for Lack of Independence and Partial Overlap of Observation Zones in Line-Transect Mark-Recapture Distance Sampling," Journal of Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Statistics, Springer;The International Biometric Society;American Statistical Association, vol. 21(1), pages 41-57, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jagbes:v:21:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1007_s13253-015-0234-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s13253-015-0234-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephen T. Buckland & Jeffrey L. Laake & David L. Borchers, 2010. "Double-Observer Line Transect Methods: Levels of Independence," Biometrics, The International Biometric Society, vol. 66(1), pages 169-177, March.
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