In August, September and October of 2020, the University of St Andrews
continues its remote delivery of interactive distance sampling training
workshops. We are offering three workshops addressing:
* mark-recapture distance sampling
* spatial modelling of distance sampling data
* introductory distance sampling
Registration for all workshops is currently open, but closing date for
the August workshop is fast approaching (see below).
Description of each workshop, in chronological order, found below along
with URLs for registration and additional information.
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*Mark recapture distance sampling training workshop 24th and 25th August
2020* 17:00-19:30 British Summer Time
Registration is now open for our training workshop on mark-recapture
distance sampling. Join us by video from anywhere around the world!
For full details, and to register, please go to
*https://www.creem.st-andrews.ac.uk/mark-recapture-distance-sampling-workshop/*
*Workshop Overview*
Conventional distance sampling methods assume that all animals at zero
distance are detected with certainty. However, in some situations this
assumption is violated, and some animals are missed, causing a negative
bias in the density and abundance estimates. This occurs on some
shipboard surveys of marine mammals, for example, where animals may be
missed on the trackline because they are underwater while the survey
vessel passes, or because the sea conditions are rough so that even some
animals right on the line are missed. The former (being underwater and
so not available for detection) is often called availability bias and
the latter perception bias. This methodology is particularly suited for
investigations of cetaceans and other marine mammals.
In this two-day workshop, we cover survey protocols and analytical
methods for dealing with both perception bias and availability bias. The
workshop is intended for those already familiar with the basics of
distance sampling.
*Instructors*: Len Thomas and David Borchers
*Timing*
24th and 25th August 2020
17:00-19:30 British Summer Time // 12:00-14:30 Eastern Daylight Time
(EDT) // 09:00-11:30 Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
*Enrolment limit*
15 participants; registration deadline 31 July
*Format and delivery method*
The workshop will be a mix of live online interactive sessions,
delivered via videoconference software (Microsoft Teams), and computer
exercises. There will be two sessions on successive days, with a total
class time of 4 hours (including breaks) and an additional computer
exercise to complete after the first day and before the second.
Exercises can be undertaken using Distance for Windows or R (via the
mrds package).
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*Spatially explicit models for distance sampling data: density surface
modelling in practice 5-9 October 2020*
5-9 October 2020, 1700-1900 BST // 1200-1400 EDT // 0900-1100 PDT
This course will cover how to fit spatial models to distance sampling
data ("density surface modelling") in R. This will include:
* Brief overview of distance sampling
* Generalized additive models
* Fitting, checking and selecting density surface models
* Predicting abundance
* Making maps
* Examples will be based around a line transect survey of sperm whales
in the western Atlantic.
For full details and to register, visit
*https://www.creem.st-andrews.ac.uk/spatial-modelling-live-online-workshop-2/*
*Instructor*: David Miller
*Format*:
The course will consist of 5 live sessions delivered over
videoconference. Between these sessions there will be practical R
exercises to complete and to assist with these practicals there will be
text-based "office hours", where participants questions can be
addressed. Each videoconference session will include time for lecturing
and discussion of practical exercises.
*Enrolment limit:*
15 participants; registration deadline 05 September
*Prerequisites:*
You should already know about distance sampling, for example by having
taken an introductory workshop in person or online (either interactively
or via our free pre-recorded lectures). You should also have some basic
R knowledge. Prior to the course we will running a software test meeting
to ensure everyone can participate satisfactorily.
Please contact David Miller (dl...@st-andrews.ac.uk) with questions
regarding the spatial modelling workshop.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Introductory distance sampling 07-18 September or 21 September - 02
October 2020*
Fundamental principles of distance sampling, from the perspective of
survey design, field protocol for data gathering and analysis of
distance sampling data.
For full details, and to register, please go to
*https://www.creem.st-andrews.ac.uk/distance-live-online-workshops/*
*Instructor*: Eric Rexstad
The 21 Sept-02 Oct offering of the workshop is being delivered in the
morning UK time (0900-1130) such that participants from east Asia,
Australia and New Zealand as well as Europeans can take part, while the
07-18 September workshop will be delivered early evening UK time
(1700-1930) for attendees in Europe and the Americas to participate.
*Format*:
Ten sessions spread across two working weeks. Combination of lectures
and practical exercises along with interactive polls.
*Enrolment limit*: 15 participants for each of the two workshops
Registration closing dates: 14 August (for first workshop), 21 August
(for second workshop)
Please contact Eric Rexstad (eric.rexs...@st-andrews.ac.uk) with
questions regarding the introductory workshop.
--
Eric Rexstad
Centre for Ecological and Environmental Modelling
University of St Andrews
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