Here is a list of past and present contracts that the staff of Proetus have been involved with.  These are examples of the type of work we are capable of, but are by no means the limits of our expertise.

Estimating Patch Occupancy  ( Darryl )
We currently have a contract with U.S. Geological Survey, researching methods for estimating patch occupancy rates and related parameters. This work is in collaboration with Dr James D. Nichols from Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, and is largely funded by the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative.

Assessing the Effectiveness of a Sea Lion Exclusion Device  ( Darryl and David )
Bycatch of Hooker’s sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) during squid fishing around the Auckland Islands has been closely monitored for a number of years.  In an effort to reduce the level of bycatch, a sea lion ejection device has been developed by the industry. We were asked by the Department of Conservation to write a report on the amount of data needed to ensure that the effectiveness of this device can be estimated with a reasonable level of precision

Assessing Seasonal Differences in Sea Lion Locations  ( David )
We were asked by the Department of Conservation to assess the seasonal differences in locations of Hooker’s sea lions obtained from satellite tagging of 20 individuals between 1996 and 1998. Our analysis involved bivariate analysis of variance and randomization-based methods for checking the assumptions. The results indicated a consistent seasonal difference in the mean location of the sea lions.

Sea Lion Population Modelling ( David )
We have recently been asked to participate in a Department of Conservation Technical Working Group looking at the impact of the squid fishing industry on the population of Hooker’s sea lions around the Auckland Islands. Our work has involved helping to assess the reliability of a population model as means of assessing alternative management regimes for the industry.

Translocation Strategies for Endangered Frogs ( David )
We were commissioned by the Department of Conservation to help assess alternative translocation strategies for the endangered Hamilton's frog (Leiopelma hamiltoni). This work involved constructing a stage-structured density-dependent model, and performing a sensitivity analysis that allowed for uncertainty in the estimates of the input parameters.

Assessing the Reliability of Ferret-Monitoring Techniques ( David )
We were contracted by Ecosystems Consultants Ltd. to analyze data on the relationship between common methods of assessing ferret abundance with the more reliable, but more expensive, technique of mark-recapture. Our analysis involved use of inverse prediction in order to determine the amount of monitoring that would be required to achieve a specified level of accuracy and precision.

Survival and Growth of Brassica Rapa ( David )
We were contracted by Western Ecosystems Technology Inc. to analyze part of a large set of data from a study into the environmental clean-up of a site used by the U.S. Army. The aim of the analysis was to assess whether the surviving rates and/or growth rates of Brassica Rapa were related to the concentration levels of metals and explosives in the soil.

Advice on a Proposed Mussel Farm ( David )
We were asked to review an environmental impact study that was carried out as part of a resource consent hearing for a proposed mussel farm at Te Aroha Bay in the Marlborough Sounds.

Predicting Seaweed Abundance from Kina Density ( Darryl and David )
The Department of Conservation want to assess the potential impact of a kina fishery in Fiordland. We analyzed data from Dusky Sound on the abundance of the seaweed Ecklonia radiata at sites with a range of densities of kina (Evechinus chloroticus). In doing so, we made use of a novel technique for modelling skewed data that contain a substantial proportion of zeros.

Modelling of Black Petrels to Assess Population Status ( David )
With Dr. Christine Hunter (Georgia State University) and Paul Scofield (Canterbury Museum), we reviewed the literature on the five Procellaria species and current data available on Black Petrels (Procellaria parkinsoni) in order to assess its adequacy for developing a population model for Black Petrels. Our results suggested that future research effort should focus on reducing the bias and increasing the precision of the estimates of breeder, pre-breeder and juvenile survival.
 
Preliminary Population Model for Wandering Albatross ( David )
Together with Dr. Christine Hunter (Georgia State University) and Paul Scofield (Canterbury Museum), we were contracted by Akroyd Walshe Ltd to review the literature on the five wandering albatross species, in order to assess its relevance in developing a population model. We also carried out a sensitivity analysis of the model in order to help guide future research effort.