Evaluation and comparison of techniques for estimating home range and territory size
Estimates of territory and home range size can yield widely varying results depending upon methods of data collection and analysis. The merits of different methods of space-use patterns of Pectoral Sandpipers (Calidris melanotos) and Red Phalaropes (Phalaropus fulicarius) were examined on their breeding ground. Empirical data from these species was used to generate a series of computer-simulated home ranges. The efficiency of a non-probabilistic estimator of territory size (minimum convex polygon method) vs two probabilistic techniques, one parametric (Jennich and Turner 1969) and one nonparametric (Ford and Krumme 1979) were examined, testing for their sensitivities to sample size and to temporal dependence between successive observations. All methods are sensitive to temporal dependence and sample size, but the probabilistic techniques provide better estimates from small samples. Both the minimum convex polygon method and the parametric Jennrich-Turner technique overestimate area utilized by the species studied here, both of which deviated from a bivariate normal distribution. The Ford-Krumme approach provided the most accurate estimate of utilized area.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque
- OSTI ID:
- 6097905
- Journal Information:
- Studies in Avian Biology; (), Vol. 6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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