Chapter 5: Modelling animal density

Part 1. Kinds of density models

Here we learn about the 2nd part of the SCR model: a spatial model governing where animals have their activity centres, including the case where density is the same everywhere.

Part 2. Density model design issues

We take a look of some of the design requirements needed for reliable modelling of animal density. We show how bias can arise if only high or low covariate values are sampled, and that reliable inference on spatial variables influencing density is only possible when the full range of covariate values have been sampled.