Estimating Animal Abundance and Occupancy. 3 credits

Catalog description

Provides a strong theoretical and analytical background to the current and accepted methods of estimating population parameters including abundance, occupancy, survival, and population change. The course teaches study design, implementation and analysis of data from distance sampling, mark-recapture, and occupancy modeling techniques, with all analysis performed and practiced in the program R. Time is provided throughout for work on a student's own data/project with help of instructors. Offered through the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation in cooperation with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute on site in Front Royal, VA. Course Format: This course is taught as an intensive, mixed format (lectures, computer work) offering, in a residential full-day (8:30am-6pm), 2-week session. Students complete pre-course assignments, are graded in participation, computer exercises and a final exam. Night sessions may occur, there is a full day of class on Saturday. Sunday is free. Offered by Provost's Office . May not be repeated for credit.