Increasing point-count duration increases standard error

Journal of Field Ornithology
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

We examined data from point counts of varying duration in bottomland forests of west Tennessee and the Mississippi Alluvial Valley to determine if counting interval influenced sampling efficiency. Estimates of standard error increased as point count duration increased both for cumulative number of individuals and species in both locations. Although point counts appear to yield data with standard errors proportional to means, a square root transformation of the data may stabilize the variance. Using long (>10 min) point counts may reduce sample size and increase sampling error, both of which diminish statistical power and thereby the ability to detect meaningful changes in avian populations.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Increasing point-count duration increases standard error
Series title Journal of Field Ornithology
Volume 69
Issue 3
Year Published 1998
Language English
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 450-456
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Field Ornithology
First page 450
Last page 456
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details