Abstract
Using multiple-covariate distance sampling with seasonal point transects, we surveyed for the Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica californica group) over a substantial portion of its range in California . Our goals were to produce seasonal and habitat-specific estimates of the scrub-jay's regional density and abundance in 2008 and to demonstrate how the concurrent collection and analysis of covariate data may be useful in improving estimates of bird density. Density and abundance estimates implied a significant 38% increase over 2008, from a low of 24 jays km -2 (2.3 × 10 6 jays) in February to a high of 78 jays km -2 (7.5 × 10 6 jays) in November. Density was greatest in agricultural habitats (98 jays km -2) and least in rural habitats (38 jays km -2). Averaged over the study, abundance was greatest in agricultural habitats (2.6 × 10 6 jays) and least in urban habitats (3.6 ×10 5 jays). Inclusion of covariates such as habitat type, observer, weather, and time of day often increased the precision of density estimates, and it significantly improved model results in one case. As detailed in this study, the techniques of multiple-covariate distance sampling may have application as effective and noninvasive methods for obtaining more precise estimates of bird density and monitoring the density and abundance of species across broad habitats.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 843-852 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Condor |
| Volume | 113 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2011 |
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Keywords
- Abundance
- Aphelocoma californica
- Density
- Distance sampling
- Point transect
- Western Scrub-Jay
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cite this
Estimating western scrub-jay density in California by multiple-covariate distance sampling. / Crosbie, Scott P.; Souza, Levi E.; Ernest, Holly B.
In: Condor, Vol. 113, No. 4, 11.2011, p. 843-852.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Estimating western scrub-jay density in California by multiple-covariate distance sampling
AU - Crosbie, Scott P.
AU - Souza, Levi E.
AU - Ernest, Holly B
PY - 2011/11
Y1 - 2011/11
N2 - Using multiple-covariate distance sampling with seasonal point transects, we surveyed for the Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica californica group) over a substantial portion of its range in California . Our goals were to produce seasonal and habitat-specific estimates of the scrub-jay's regional density and abundance in 2008 and to demonstrate how the concurrent collection and analysis of covariate data may be useful in improving estimates of bird density. Density and abundance estimates implied a significant 38% increase over 2008, from a low of 24 jays km -2 (2.3 × 10 6 jays) in February to a high of 78 jays km -2 (7.5 × 10 6 jays) in November. Density was greatest in agricultural habitats (98 jays km -2) and least in rural habitats (38 jays km -2). Averaged over the study, abundance was greatest in agricultural habitats (2.6 × 10 6 jays) and least in urban habitats (3.6 ×10 5 jays). Inclusion of covariates such as habitat type, observer, weather, and time of day often increased the precision of density estimates, and it significantly improved model results in one case. As detailed in this study, the techniques of multiple-covariate distance sampling may have application as effective and noninvasive methods for obtaining more precise estimates of bird density and monitoring the density and abundance of species across broad habitats.
AB - Using multiple-covariate distance sampling with seasonal point transects, we surveyed for the Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica californica group) over a substantial portion of its range in California . Our goals were to produce seasonal and habitat-specific estimates of the scrub-jay's regional density and abundance in 2008 and to demonstrate how the concurrent collection and analysis of covariate data may be useful in improving estimates of bird density. Density and abundance estimates implied a significant 38% increase over 2008, from a low of 24 jays km -2 (2.3 × 10 6 jays) in February to a high of 78 jays km -2 (7.5 × 10 6 jays) in November. Density was greatest in agricultural habitats (98 jays km -2) and least in rural habitats (38 jays km -2). Averaged over the study, abundance was greatest in agricultural habitats (2.6 × 10 6 jays) and least in urban habitats (3.6 ×10 5 jays). Inclusion of covariates such as habitat type, observer, weather, and time of day often increased the precision of density estimates, and it significantly improved model results in one case. As detailed in this study, the techniques of multiple-covariate distance sampling may have application as effective and noninvasive methods for obtaining more precise estimates of bird density and monitoring the density and abundance of species across broad habitats.
KW - Abundance
KW - Aphelocoma californica
KW - Density
KW - Distance sampling
KW - Point transect
KW - Western Scrub-Jay
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=83455196243&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=83455196243&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1525/cond.2011.090152
DO - 10.1525/cond.2011.090152
M3 - Article
VL - 113
SP - 843
EP - 852
JO - Condor
JF - Condor
SN - 0010-5422
IS - 4
ER -