Hi,
Thank you in advance for your time.
I'm running density 4.4.4 on win 7. MRC data from mouse lemurs in n. madagascar.
The question:
We created 6 transects, spaced into 2 groups of 3 transects. Along each transect we placed sherman traps at 20m intervals. Within each group the transects were 200meters apart, and between each group they are 700-1000meters apart.
If i create a trap layout file with both groups of transects (so a wide 700-1000 metre gap in the middle, with 3 transects to each side) i get lower results then if i calculate each group of transects individually (a trap layout file with only three transects, no gaps) and then find the mean of the two groups. Why is this? Is SECR less accurate with larger open spaces and "clusters" of information? And would the second method, of treating the groups individually, give a more accurate representation? The second results, from averaging the density of both groups treated individually seem more probable having been in the field.
Thanking you again!
Sam