Population Parameters

Beschreibung

Ecologists and environmental managers rely on mathematical models,both to understand ecological systems and to predict future systembehavior. In turn, models rely on appropriate estimates of theirparameters. This book brings together a diverse and scattered literature, toprovide clear guidance on how to estimate parameters for models ofanimal populations. It is not a recipe book of statisticalprocedures. Instead, it concentrates on how to select the bestapproach to parameter estimation for a particular problem, and howto ensure that the quality estimated is the appropriate one for thespecific purpose of the modelling exercise. Commencing with a toolbox of useful generic approaches toparameter estimation, the book deals with methods for estimatingparameters for single populations. These parameters includepopulation size, birth and death rates, and the population growthrate. For such parameters, rigorous statistical theory has beendeveloped, and software is readily available. The problem is toselect the optimal sampling design and method of analysis. Thesecond part of the book deals with parameters that describe spatialdynamics, and ecological interactions such as competition,predation and parasitism. Here the principle problems are designingappropriate experiments and ensuring that the quantities measuredby the experiments are relevant to the ecological models in whichthey will be used. This book will be essential reading for ecological researchers,postgraduate students and environmental managers who need toaddress an ecological problem through a population model. It isaccessible to anyone with an understanding of basic statisticalmethods and population ecology. * * Unique in concentrating on parameter estimation withinmodelling. * Fills a glaring gap in the literature. * Not too technical, so suitable for the statisticallyinept. * Methods explained in algebra, but also in worked examples usingcommonly available computer packages (SAS, GLIM, and some morespecialised packages where relvant). Some spreadsheet basedexamples also included.

Autor*in

Hamish McCallum

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Biowissenschaften Life Sciences Mathematics Mathematik Methods & Statistics in Ecology Ökologie / Methoden, Statistik

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