Density Estimation of Small-Mammal Populations Using a Trapping Web and Distance Sampling Methods

Distance sampling methodology is adapted to enable animal density (number per unit of area) to be estimated from capture-recapture and removal data. A trapping web design provides the link between capture data and distance sampling theory. The estimator of density is D = M"t"+"1f (0),...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecology (Durham) 1983-08, Vol.64 (4), p.674-680
Main Authors: Anderson, David R., Burnham, Kenneth P., White, Gary C., Otis, David L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal traps
Animals
Density estimation
Estimation methods
Estimators
Mammalia
Mammals
Population density
Population estimates
Statistical variance
Web design
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Distance sampling methodology is adapted to enable animal density (number per unit of area) to be estimated from capture-recapture and removal data. A trapping web design provides the link between capture data and distance sampling theory. The estimator of density is D = M"t"+"1f (0), where M"t"+"1 is the number of individuals captured and f (0) is computed from the M"t"+"1 distances from the web center to the traps in which those individuals were first captured. It is possible to check qualitatively the critical assumption on which the web design and the estimator are based. This is a conceptual paper outlining a new methodology, not a definitive investigation of the best specific way to implement this method. Several alternative sampling and analysis methods are possible within the general framework of distance sampling theory; a few alternatives are discussed and an example is given.
ISSN:0012-9658
1939-9170
DOI:10.2307/1937188