Evaluation of capture-recapture estimators using a cyclic snowshoe hare population

Many theoretical capture-recapture estimation models have been introduced into applied field ecology in the last twenty years, but only a few of these models have been tested in field situations. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate capture-recapture estimators when applied to a cyclic snowshoe hare population in the Kluane Lake area in the Southern Yukon. The estimation models and model selection routine of program CAPTURE, and the Jolly-Seberopen model were evaluated. Two independent approaches were used to evaluate estimators: 1) Island populations of known size were used to determine estimator bias and study factors that affect hare capture probabilities, and 2) An individual-based spatial Monte Carlo simulation model was used to evaluate estimator robustness to sample biases caused by a cyclic snowshoe hare population. Two islands were used for studies of estimator bias. Results from both islands suggest that the CAPTURE heterogeneity models Mh (jackknife), Mh (Chao), and Mth(time/heterogeneity) were approximately unbiased for the island population of hares. All other CAPTURE models displayed a negative bias. The program CAPTURE model selection routine picked models of different bias for each trapping period. Island studies of variation in hare capture probabilities documented a strong relationship between hare movement patterns and capture probabilities on an individual and population level. The strong contribution of sampling factors such as trap placement, and time of sampling in the variation of hare capture probabilities was also documented.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science - MSc

Level thesis:degree_level

master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Zoology

Grantor dc:publisher

University of British Columbia

Year dc:date

1993

Author dc:creator

• Boulanger, John

Statement dc:rights

• For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.

Language dc:language

eng

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/2634

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:circle.library.ubc.ca:2429/2634