estimation abundance closed capture

questions concerning analysis/theory using program MARK

estimation abundance closed capture

Postby Anne » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:03 am

hello,
I'm trying to estimate abundance fluctuations of squirrels population using capture models.
The study was conducted during 3 years and we have 5 trapping occasions per month.
I've constructed design matrice for the following models (M0, Mt, Mb, Mh,Mth, Mbh, Mtb, Mtbh).
Each time mark estimates my abundance the best model is not necessarily identical to the model used in the preceeding estimations.
Therefore, is it correct to study the abundance evolution in time based on estimations which are not necessarily generated by the same specific model?
thanks for your help

Anne
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Postby scottish » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:17 am

Anne:

With the study lasting for 3 years, it would seem that you have a population that is open (i.e., changing with time), you might wish to use open population models to analyze these data. We might wish to know more about how you are viewing your study. Are you using the 5 occasions within a single month to produce an estimate of abundance within that month? For some months in the year, you might be able to assume closure, and proceed with your closed model analysis, but in other months (during breeding season, or times of high mortality) it would not be plausible to produce a monthly estimate under the assumption of closure.
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