| Abstract: | Occupancy models that account for imperfect detection are often used to monitor anuran and songbird species occurrence. However, presenceabsence data arising from auditory detections may be more prone to observation error (e.g., false-positive detections) than are sampling approaches utilizing physical captures or sightings of individuals. We conducted realistic, replicated field experiments using a remote broadcasting system to simulate simple anuran call surveys and to investigate potential factors affecting observation error in these studies. Distance, time, ambient noise, and observer abilities were the most important factors explaining false-negative detections. Distance and observer ability were the best overall predictors of false-positive errors, but ambient noise and competing species also affected error rates for some species. False-positive errors made up 5 of all positive detections, with individual observers exhibiting false-positive rates between 0.5 and 14. Previous research suggests false-positive errors of these magnitudes would induce substantial positive biases in standard estimators of species occurrence, and we recommend practices to mitigate for false positives when developing occupancy monitoring protocols that rely on auditory detections. These recommendations include additional observer training, limiting the number of target species, and establishing distance and ambient noise thresholds during surveys. ?? 2010 The Wildlife Society. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70037514 |
| Citation Author: | McClintock, B. T.; Bailey, L. L.; Pollock, K. H.; Simons, T. R. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | |
| Citation Datum: | |
| Citation Day: | |
| Citation Edition: | |
| Citation Editor: | |
| Citation End Page: | 1893 |
| Citation Issue: | 8 |
| Citation Keywords: | |
| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| Citation LatN: | |
| Citation LatS: | |
| Citation LonE: | |
| Citation LonW: | |
| Citation Month: | |
| Citation No Pagination: | |
| Citation Number Of Pages: | 12 |
| Citation Online Only Flag: | |
| Citation Phsyical Description: | |
| Citation Projection: | |
| Citation Public Comments: | |
| Citation Publisher: | |
| Citation Series: | |
| Citation Series Code: | |
| Citation Series Number: | |
| Citation Search Results Text: | Experimental investigation of observation error in anuran call surveys; 2010; Article; Journal; Journal of Wildlife Management; McClintock, B. T.; Bailey, L. L.; Pollock, K. H.; Simons, T. R. |
| Citation Start Page: | 1882 |
| Citation Volume: | 74 |
| Citation Year: | 2010 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Experimental investigation of observation error in anuran call surveys; 2010; Article; Journal; Journal of Wildlife Management; McClintock, B. T.; Bailey, L. L.; Pollock, K. H.; Simons, T. R. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.2193/2009-321 |
| Date Other: | Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | |
