Estimation of detection probability in aerial surveys of Antarctic pack-ice seals

We use line transect detection functions together with generalized linear and additive models to estimate detection probability when detection on the line ("g(0)") may not be certain. The methods provide a flexible way of modeling detection probability for independent observer surveys, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics
Main Authors: Southwell, C, Borchers, David Louis, Paxton, CGM, Burt, Mary Louise, de la Mare, W
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2007
Subjects:
generalized additive model
generalized linear model
heterogeneity
line transect
mark-recapture
LINE TRANSECT SURVEYS
POPULATIONS
SIZE
Antarctic
Antarc*
Online Access:https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/researchoutput/estimation-of-detection-probability-in-aerial-surveys-of-antarctic-packice-seals(cf05999b-2215-4701-9321-f59fca14b629).html
https://doi.org/10.1198/108571107X162920
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33947631839&partnerID=8YFLogxK
Description
Summary:We use line transect detection functions together with generalized linear and additive models to estimate detection probability when detection on the line ("g(0)") may not be certain. The methods provide a flexible way of modeling detection probability for independent observer surveys, and for investigating the effects of explanatory variables. Analysis of data from an aerial survey of pack-ice seals produced g (0) estimates substantially below I for some observers (it varied from 0.80 to 0.98), demonstrated a fairly complex dependence of detection probability on covariates, and showed negative correlation between observers' search width and their g(0). In addition to illustrating the utility of generalized additive models for capturing the effect of covariates on detection probability, the analysis suggests that detection functions may be sufficiently variable that use of g(0) correction factors obtained from other surveys would be inadvisable. We recommend that estimation of g(0) be considered for all aerial surveys; if g(0) is found to be very close to 1, estimation from subsequent surveys under the assumption that it is 1 may be reasonable, but without any estimation of g(0), the assumption that it is 1 is a matter of faith.

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