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Pooling robustness in distance sampling : avoiding bias when there is unmodelled heterogeneity

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Rexstad_2023_Pooling_robustness_in_distance_E_E_e9684_CCBY.pdf (733.3Kb)
Date
06/01/2023
Author
Rexstad, Eric
Buckland, Stephen Terrence
Marshall, Laura Helen
Borchers, David
Keywords
Abundance estimation
Detectability
Distance sampling
Heterogeneity
Pooling robustness
QA Mathematics
QH301 Biology
DAS
MCC
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Abstract
The pooling robustness property of distance sampling results in unbiased abundance estimation even when sources of variation in detection probability are not modeled. However, this property cannot be relied upon to produce unbiased subpopulation abundance estimates when using a single pooled detection function that ignores subpopulations. We investigate by simulation the effect of differences in subpopulation detectability upon bias in subpopulation abundance estimates. We contrast subpopulation abundance estimates using a pooled detection function with estimates derived using a detection function model employing a subpopulation covariate. Using point transect survey data from a multispecies songbird study, species-specific abundance estimates are compared using pooled detection functions with and without a small number of adjustment terms, and a detection function with species as a covariate. With simulation, we demonstrate the bias of subpopulation abundance estimates when a pooled detection function is employed. The magnitude of the bias is positively related to the magnitude of disparity between the subpopulation detection functions. However, the abundance estimate for the entire population remains unbiased except when there is extreme heterogeneity in detection functions. Inclusion of a detection function model with a subpopulation covariate essentially removes the bias of the subpopulation abundance estimates. The analysis of the songbird point count surveys shows some bias in species-specific abundance estimates when a pooled detection function is used. Pooling robustness is a unique property of distance sampling, producing unbiased abundance estimates at the level of the study area even in the presence of large differences in detectability between subpopulations. In situations where subpopulation abundance estimates are required for data-poor subpopulations and where the subpopulations can be identified, we recommend the use of subpopulation as a covariate to reduce bias induced in subpopulation abundance estimates.
Citation
Rexstad , E , Buckland , S T , Marshall , L H & Borchers , D 2023 , ' Pooling robustness in distance sampling : avoiding bias when there is unmodelled heterogeneity ' , Ecology and Evolution , vol. 13 , no. 1 , e9684 . https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9684
Publication
Ecology and Evolution
Status
Peer reviewed
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9684
ISSN
2045-7758
Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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  • University of St Andrews Research
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/26703

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