Distance Sampling
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Distance sampling is a frequently used method for estimating species abundance using point counts and line transects while accounting for imperfect detection. This method is based on the simple premise that animals on or near the sampling point/line transect are more likely to be detected than animals further away. This method can be implemented on unmarked animals during a single site visit, which can be appealing compared to other approaches that require marked animals or multiple site visits (i.e., temporal replicates). Users can, however, incorporate marked animals and/or collect data with temporal replication to address questions about availability, seasonal change, and annual trends. Distance sampling can be implemented on the ground (e.g., foot, vehicle), by air (e.g., airplane, helicopter), and by water (e.g., ship, raft), and therefore useful in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems. This course will provide a foundation in distance sampling with numerous examples of their use. Students will gain practical experience in distance sampling, including study design, data collection, data management, and analytical techniques. Analyses will be conducted in R using the unmarked package. Students will be able to implement these models, interpret their output, and summarize the results.
PREREQUISITES
Experience with the basics of probability, statistical methods, and using R to fit statistical models. The CWS course, R Bootcamp, provides a good background for this course. This course will follow data management and analytical practices used in R Bootcamp for consistency.
Instructor
COURSE FORMATS & DATES
FORMAT: Reach out to your instructor for help with course materials as you work through prerecorded lectures and exercises. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to course materials for the 3-month term. After working through 8 modules, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training (pending approval), and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to pass the course (P/F) and receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted to ESA and TWS for CEUs. See our Continuing Education Page for more details about CEUs with ESA and TWS.
ESA & TWS CERTIFICATION: Participants that earn a B- or better can use this 1-credit course to help meet the minimum education requirements (in Chemistry, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics) to certify as a Professional Ecologist with ESA (pending approval). Participants that earn a D or better can use this 1-credit course in their application to certify as a Wildlife Biologist® with TWS. See our Professional Certification Page for more details about ESA and TWS certification.
*** This version of the course can NOT be used to earn academic credit from your college or university or to earn a professional certificate with CWS. See the PREMIUM format below ***
Summer: June 3 - Aug 25 (early bird* ends May 6): $500 professional / $400 student
*Early bird saves $50
FORMAT: Reach out to your instructor for help with course materials as you work through prerecorded lectures and exercises. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to course materials for 1 year. After working through 8 modules, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training, and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to pass the course (P/F) and receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted to ESA and TWS for CEUs. See our Continuing Education Page for more details about CEUs with ESA and TWS.
ESA & TWS CERTIFICATION: Participants that earn a B- or better can use this 1-credit course to help meet the minimum education requirements (in Chemistry, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics) to certify as a Professional Ecologist with ESA. Participants that earn a D or better can use this 1-credit course in their application to certify as a Wildlife Biologist® with TWS. See our Professional Certification Page for more details about ESA and TWS certification.
ACADEMIC CREDIT: This 1-credit course can be taken with pre-approval from an administrator at a your college or university. For an additional fee, students also have the option to complete an Applied Project for an additional 1-2 academic credits (earning up to 2-3 academic credits in total). See our Academic Credit Page for details.
CWS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE: CWS requires a grade of a B- or higher for the course to count toward earning a Professional Certificate in Applied Quantitative Ecology.
Summer: June 3 - Aug 25 (early bird* ends May 6): $600 professional / $500 student
*Early bird saves $50
TOPICS
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Identifying research questions and wildlife monitoring priorities
Unbiased sampling design practices
Why does detection probability matter?
Exercises on wildlife monitoring and sampling design
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Overview of methods for estimating species abundance and distribution
Introduction to distance sampling and examples
Distance sampling field data collection and equipment needs
Exercises exploring methods for estimating species abundance and distribution, including distance sampling
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Data management: converting field data to data ready for analysis
Introduction to the unmarked package in R for distance sampling
Exercises to conduct exploratory analysis of distance sampling data in R
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Distance sampling for solitary species using point counts
Implementation of point count distance sampling modeling in R
Exercises with solutions on point count distance sampling methods
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Distance sampling for solitary species using line transects
Implementation of line transect distance sampling modeling in R
Exercises with solutions on line transect distance sampling methods
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Item description
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Distance sampling for social species using line transect methods
Implementation of distance sampling for social species in R
Exercises with solutions on distance sampling methods for social species
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Introduction to advanced distance sampling models
Temporal replicates to account for availability
Seasonal and multi-year data
Bayesian approaches to distance sampling
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Value unbiased population abundance techniques that account for detection probability.
Knowledge of sampling design practices for estimating abundance.
Understand the concept and theory behind distance sampling.
Ability to implement distance sampling for solitary and social species.
Ability to include covariates on abundance and detection probability parameters to test hypotheses in distance sampling.
Understand how to compare multiple models, assess model fit, and interpret results.
Have a working knowledge of R packages used for distance sampling.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Full scholarships are available to participants from countries designated as “lower income” and “lower middle income” in the World Bank List of Economies. Please see our CWS World Scholars Program page for details.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations 30 days or more before the start date are not subject to cancellation fees. Cancellations <30 days before the start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds once the course begins.