Point-based mark recapture distance sampling

Authors: J. L. Laake, B. A. Collier, M. L. Morrison, R. N. Wilkins

Avian surveys using point sampling for abundance estimation have either focused on distance sampling or more commonly mark-recapture to correct for detection bias. Combining mark-recapture and distance sampling (MRDS) has become an effective tool for line transects, but it has been largely ignored in point sampling literature. We describe MRDS and show that the previously published methods for point sampling are special cases. Using simulated data and golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) survey data from Texas, we demonstrate large differences in abundance estimates resulting from different independence assumptions. Data and code are provided in supplementary materials.

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