NTRES 6120 - Wildlife Population Analysis: Techniques and Models

Spring. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: NTRES 3100 or NTRES 4100, or equivalent, college-level math and statistics course, or permission of instructor. Co-meets with NTRES 4120. Not offered every year.

E. Cooch.

Explores the theory and application of a variety of statistical estimation and modeling techniques used in the study of wildlife population dynamics, with primary focus on analysis of data from marked individuals. Computer exercises are used to reinforce concepts presented in lecture.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to model and analyze data generated by repeat encounters of uniquely marked individuals, including estimation of survival, recruitment, and population abundance and trajectory.

Outcome 2: Students will be able to use, apply and interpret results from multi-model statistical inference.

Outcome 3: Students will be able to read and interpret the primary scientific literature concerning analysis and modelling of data generated by repeat encounters of uniquely marked individuals.

Outcome 4: Students will understand and be able to articulate the role of parameter estimation in the development and application of models as used in conservation management of biotic resources.

Outcome 5: Students will be able to understand and use fundamental statistical methods to describe structure and dynamics of populations and communities.

Outcome 6: Students will be able to understand and articulate the importance of accounting for detection uncertainty in the analysis and interpretation of change in pattern of organism distributions over space and time.