An authoritative guide to quantitative methods that will help wildlife scientists improve analysis and decision-making.
Over the past fifty years, wildlife science has become increasingly quantitative. But to wildlife scientists, many of whom have not been formally trained as biometricians, computer modelers, or mathematicians, the wide array of available techniques for analyzing wildlife populations and habitats can be overwhelming. This practical book aims to help students and professionals alike understand how to use quantitative methods to inform their work in the field.
Covering the most widely used contemporary approaches to the analysis of wildlife populations and habitats, Quantitative Analyses in Wildlife Science is divided into five broad areas:
• general statistical methods
• demographic estimation
• dynamic process modeling
• analysis of spatially based data on animals and resources
• numerical methods
Addressing a variety of topics, from population estimation and growth trend predictions to the study of migration patterns, this book presents fresh data on such pressing issues as sustainable take, control of invasives, and species reintroduction. Authored by leading researchers in wildlife science, each chapter considers the structure of data in relation to a particular analytical technique, as well as the structure of variation in those data. Providing conceptual and quantitative overviews of modern analytical methods, the techniques covered in this book also apply to conservation research and wildlife policy. Whether a quick refresher or a comprehensive introduction is called for, Quantitative Analyses in Wildlife Science is an indispensable addition to every wildlife professional's bookshelf.
Contributors: William M. Block, Leonard A. Brennan, Stephen T. Buckland, Christopher C. Chizinski, Evan C. Cooch, Raymond J. Davis, Stephen J. DeMaso, Randy W. DeYoung, Jane Elith, Joseph J. Fontane, Julie A. Heinrichs, Mevin B. Hooten, Julianna M. A. Jenkins, Zachary S. Laden, Damon B. Lesmeister, Daniel Linden, Jeffrey J. Lusk, Bruce G. Marcot, David L. Miller, Michael L. Morrison, Eric Rexstad, Jamie S. Sanderlin, Joseph P. Sands, Erica F. Stuber, Chris Sutherland, Andrew N. Tri, David B. Wester, Gary C. White, Christopher K. Williams, Damon L. Williford
Table of Contents:
List of Contributors
Foreword, by R. J. Gutiérrez
Preface
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
Leonard A. Brennan, Andrew N. Tri, and Bruce G. Marcot
PART I GENERAL STATISTICAL METHODS
2 Regression: Linear and Nonlinear, Parametricband Nonparametric
David B. Wester
3 Multivariate Models and Analyses
Erica F. Stuber, Christopher C. Chizinski, Jeffrey J. Lusk, and Joseph J. Fontaine
4 Comparing Ecological Models
Mevin B. Hooten and Evan G. Cooch
PART II ESTIMATION OF ABUNDANCE AND DEMOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS
5 Estimation of Population Parameters Using Marked Animals
Gary C. White
6 Distance Sampling
Stephen T. Buckland, David L. Miller, and Eric Rexstad
7 Occupancy Modeling Applications
Chris Sutherland and Daniel W. Linden
PART III DYNAMIC MODELING OF PROCESSES
8 Analysis of Population Monitoring Data
Jamie S. Sanderlin, Michael L. Morrison, and William M. Block
9 Systems Analysis and Simulation
Stephen J. Demaso and Joseph P. Sands
10 Applications of Individual-Based Models
Julie A. Heinrichs and Bruce G. Marcot
11 Detecting and Analyzing Density Dependence
Zachary S. Ladin and Christopher K. Williams
PART IV ANALYSIS OF SPATIALLY BASED DATA ON ANIMALS AND RESOURCES
12 Resource Selection Analysis
Julianna M. A. Jenkins, Damon B. Lesmeister, and Raymond J. Davis
13 Spatial Statistics in Wildlife Research
Andrew N. Tri
PART V NUMERICAL METHODS
14 Bayesian Analysis of Molecular Genetics Data
Damon L. Williford and Randy W. Deyoung
15 Machine Learning, Random Forests, and Boosted Regression Trees
Jane Elith
16 Causal Modeling and the Role of Expert Knowledge
Bruce G. Marcot
17 Summary and Synthesis: Looking to the Future
Andrew N. Tri, Bruce G. Marcot, and Leonard A. Brennan
Index
About the Author :
Leonard A. Brennan, a Wildlife Society Fellow, is the C. C. "Charlie" Winn Endowed Chair for Quail Research Professor at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Andrew N. Tri is a research wildlife biologist with the Forest Wildlife and Populations Research Group at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and an adjunct faculty member at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Bruce G. Marcot is a research wildlife biologist with the Pacific Northwest Research Station and the coauthor of Wildlife Habitat Relationships: Concepts and Applications.
Review :
This is primarily a book for students and working wildlife management professionals; however that is not to say that it is, or should be, outside the realm of consideration by those with a sincere interest in how wildlife researchers collect and interpret data. As so many aspects of contemporary wildlife conservation revolve around what the number are, how they were collected, and how they are interpreted, most anyone with a serious interest in wildlife conservation would do well to at least understand how the metaphorical sausage is made – even if they're not making it themselves. To that end, this is most certainly the book from which to best acquire such an understanding.
—Johannes E. Riutta, The Well-Read Naturalist
