Response to 'improving abundance estimation by combining capture-recapture and presence-absence data: example with a large carnivore'.

Published online
28 Aug 2024
Content type
Journal article
Journal title
Ecological Solutions and Evidence
DOI
10.1002/2688-8319.12368

Author(s)
Thomas, J. H. W. & Bonner, S. J. & Cowen, L. L. E.
Contact email(s)
jack.h.thomas567@gmail.com & lcowen@uvic.ca

Publication language
English
Location
France

Abstract

A key area of research in ecological statistics involves combining data sources from multiple streams to improve population estimates. One such model attempts to integrate capture-recapture and presence-absence data to estimate the population size of Eurasian lynx in the Jura Mountains, eastern France. This model has been observed to underestimate population sizes. We conducted an extensive simulation study to evaluate the model's performance. We describe our methods for generation of simultaneous capture-recapture and presence-absence data and demonstrate that the model is flawed. Finally, we give an outline of our hypothesis on why the model underestimates population sizes.

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