Time to detection data for Point Reyes pond-breeding amphibians, 2017
Dates
Publication Date
2018-12-14
Start Date
2017-04-04
End Date
2017-08-16
Citation
Halstead, B.J., Kleeman, P.M., and Rose, J.P., 2018, Time to Detection Data for Point Reyes Pond-breeding Amphibians, 2017: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9A9LA1O.
Summary
Occupancy models provide a reliable method of estimating species distributions while accounting for imperfect detectability. The cost of accounting for false absences is that detection and nondetection surveys typically require repeated visits to a site or multiple-observer techniques. More efficient methods of collecting data to estimate detection probabilities would allow additional sites to be surveyed for the same amount of effort, which would support more precise estimation of covariate effects to improve inference about underlying ecological processes. Time-to-detection surveys allow the estimation of detection probability based on a single site visit by one observer, and therefore might be an efficient technique for herpetological [...]
Summary
Occupancy models provide a reliable method of estimating species distributions while accounting for imperfect detectability. The cost of accounting for false absences is that detection and nondetection surveys typically require repeated visits to a site or multiple-observer techniques. More efficient methods of collecting data to estimate detection probabilities would allow additional sites to be surveyed for the same amount of effort, which would support more precise estimation of covariate effects to improve inference about underlying ecological processes. Time-to-detection surveys allow the estimation of detection probability based on a single site visit by one observer, and therefore might be an efficient technique for herpetological occupancy studies. We evaluated the use of time-to-detection surveys to estimate the occupancy of pond-breeding amphibians at Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA, including variables that affected detection rates and the probability of occurrence. We found that detection times were short enough, and occupancy was high enough, to reliably estimate the probability of occurrence of three pond-breeding amphibians at Point Reyes National Seashore, and that survey and site conditions had species-specific effects on detection rates. In particular, pond characteristics affected detection times of all commonly detected species. Probability of occurrence of Sierran Treefrogs (Hyliola sierra) and Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa) was negatively related to the detection of fish and pond area. Time-to-detection surveys can provide an efficient method for estimating detection probabilities and accounting for false absences in occupancy studies of reptiles and amphibians.
These data support the following:
Halstead, B. J., Kleeman, P. M., & Rose, J. P. (2018). Time-to-Detection Occupancy Modeling: An Efficient Method for Analyzing the Occurrence of Amphibians and Reptiles. Journal of Herpetology, 52(4), 416-425. https://doi.org/10.1670/18-049
Data were obtained to assess the feasibility of using time-to-detection data to account for imperfect detectability when estimating occupancy of pond-breeding amphibians. A secondary goal was to evaluate the probability of occurrence, including environmental correlates, of pond-breeding amphibians at Point Reyes National Seashore to inform conservation and management decisions.
Rights
The authors of these data require that data users contact them regarding intended use and to assist with understanding limitations and interpretation. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
