Data analysis: Capture-recapture using R and MARK  — Promaco Conventions

Data analysis: Capture-recapture using R and MARK  (#61)

Arielle Parsons 1
  1. North Carolina State University/North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America

When individuals of a species can be identified on camera traps whether via natural markings or artificial marks, we are able to employ a robust set of models to analyze those data in a capture-recapture framework to estimate critical population metrics such as true abundance, density, survival and recruitment. Camera traps allow us to use capture-recapture, often without ever having to capture the animals thus saving time, money and reducing potential stress. This workshop session will introduce a suite of mark recapture models for use with camera trap data. We will provide examples of how to run common mark recapture models using Program R and Program MARK including closed capture models, spatially explicit capture recapture and mark-resight models. We will also discuss some of the challenges of using these models including sample size, capture heterogeneity, mark loss and computing power.

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