Species Occurrence/Occupancy Workshops
The presence or absence of a species across a set of
landscape units
is a fundamental concept used widely in ecology (e.g., species range or
distribution, epidemiology, habitat modeling, resource selection
probability functions, as a monitoring metric, metapopulation studies,
biodiversity and species co-occurrence). An important sampling issue,
however, is
that a species may not always be detected when present at a landscape
unit. This will result in "false absences" causing parameter estimates
to be biased if unaccounted for, possibly leading to misleading results
and conclusions, even with only moderate levels of imperfect detection.
In these workshops we cover:
- the effect of, and the importance of
accounting for,
imperfect
detection
- cutting-edge statistical methods for modeling patterns and
dynamics of species occurrence
- using models to address interesting ecological hypotheses
- key aspects to designing studies of species occurrence
- available computer software with worked examples and exercises
There
are no formal
prerequisites for these courses, but participants are expected to have
a basic understanding of
probability (e.g., coin tossing experiments). Experience with
regression, logistic
regression and generalized linear models would be particularly
beneficial. An overview to some of the more commonly employed
statistical methods is given during the workshop.
There are 3 occupancy workshops available:
- Patterns and Dynamics of Species
Occurrence I: in this 2.5-3 day course we focus on situations
where interest lies in the patterns and dynamics of occurrence
(presence/absence) on the landscape for a single species. We cover techniques
for estimating and modeling species occurrence at both single and
multiple points in time using a combination of lectures, examples and
hands-on exercises. We emphasize the importance of study design and how
the biological interpretation of 'occupancy' can be influenced by it,
along with other practical considerations such as sample size
determination and allocation of effort. The final half day of the
course is reserved as a consulting session where participants may work
on their own data under supervision of the instructors or discuss
details of their studies with instructors.
- Patterns and Dynamics of Species
Occurrence II: in this 1.5-2 day course we extend the methods
covered in PDSO I to situation
where there might be multiple types of 'occurrence' (e.g., species
present with/without breeding or differing levels of abundance),
co-occurrence of multiple species, and applications in community level
studies (e.g., species richness or biodiversity). The final half day of
the course is reserved as a consulting session
where participants may work on their own data under supervision of the
instructors or discuss details of their studies with instructors. PDSO I or PDSO III are a prerequisite for this
course. PDSO II may be
combined with PDSO I to create
a single 4-4.5 day course.
- Patterns and Dynamics of Species
Occurrence III: is a 4-4.5 day course where the material covered in PDSO I and II is condensed into a single
workshop. As such there is slightly less emphasis on the hands-on
exercises that are a key feature of the longer workshops. The final
half day of the course is reserved as a consulting session
where participants may work on their own data under supervision of the
instructors or discuss details of their studies with instructors.
Instructors:
In addition to our own resident occupancy expert, Darryl
MacKenzie, we are able to draw on other knowledgeable experts such
as Jim
Nichols, Jim
Hines and Larissa
Bailey to help instruct the courses.
Price:
Price for a course varies by location, number of attendees and
available facilities. Contact Darryl
for more information.