Quantitative estimation of wildlife population parameters I

During this course we will expose students to the scientific basis and practical applications of hierarchical approaches to the study of wildlife populations. Accurate estimation of wildlife population parameters is key understanding the processes that underlie population dynamics, and rest at the interface of reliable fieldwork and appropriate analytical tools.

Statistical applications and tools in quantitative population ecology are growing rapidly, particularly under the framework of hierarchical (state-space) models.  In this course, students will learn how to plan field surveys and collect the data necessary to appropriately employ robust estimation methods, and how to quantify the effect of factors potentially affecting the estimated parameters.

We will explore study design, data simulation, and the application of hierarchical models to estimate wildlife population parameters such as occupancy, species richness and abundance for static populations.

By the end of the course, students should have the confidence to engage in practical design of wildlife quantitative assessments using robust design, and to effectively using data, models for marked animals and unmarked animals, and the ecological concepts to address pressing questions involving monitoring and conservation of wildlife populations.

Application deadline: November 04, 2021

More details available here


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