| Biometrics/Statistics |
Biometrics/Statistics Project Reports CRP ProjectRSF Proceedings
Biometricians with WEST are nationally known for their common sense application of statistics to solve natural resource problems. They specialize in practical, state-of-the-art design and analysis of field and laboratory studies. WEST statisticians have written and published 9 books and over 250 manuscripts on the use of statistics in natural resource applications. To complement these books and articles, WEST offers short-courses and workshops on a variety of statistical topics related to natural resource and wildlife applications.
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| AREAS OF EXPERTISE |
- General and Advanced Statistical Analysis Techniques
- Design and Statistical Analysis of Ecosystem Studies
- Estimation of Biological Population Size, Including Capture/Recapture and Distance Methods
- Geostatistical Analysis of Spatially Correlated Data Sets & GIS Data
- Resource Selection Studies
- Radio-Telemetry Studies
- Design and Analysis of Field Studies
- Design and Analysis of Human Health, Wildlife and Plant Risk Assessment Studies
- Educational Workshops, Short-Courses, and Professional Training
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GENERAL AND ADVANCED STATISTICAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES
WEST statisticians can advise on and conduct a wide range of statistical techniques from basic descriptive and graphical analyses to complex modeling of correlated data. Following is a partial list of the statistical expertise that the employees of WEST possess:
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- Descriptive and Graphical Analyses
- Sampling
- General and Generalized Linear Models
- 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D Smoothing Techniques
- Mixed Models
- Survival Analysis
- Bootstrapping and Other Computer Intensive Techniques
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- Simulation Techniques
- Spatial Statistics
- Non-Parametric Methods
- Distance Sampling Methods
- Capture/Recapture Methods
- Statistical Methods For Risk Assessment
- Resource Selection
- Telemetry and Triangulation Methods
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| WEST uses the most modern and advanced statistical and mathematical software including SAS, S-PLUS, SPSS, SYSTAT, MATLAB, and ARC GIS, as well as programming languages such as VISUAL BASIC, FORTRAN and C. |
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Books and Publications
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| WEST statisticians have authored or coauthored over 250 professional journal articles and 9 books on the statistical methods applied to wildlife and other natural resource problems. To order books authored by WEST personnel click here. |
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WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES MONITORING AND ESTIMATION OF POPULATION SIZE
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WEST can provide state-of-the-art consulting on all aspects of studies designed to estimate the size and geographic extent of a biological population. This expertise includes the use of capture-recapture, distance sampling, and aerial survey methods for all types of biological populations. WEST has been actively involved in the development, review, and analysis of capture-recapture studies for estimation of population parameters. Dr. Bryan F.J. Manly and Dr. Trent McDonald are internationally known experts in development of models for analysis of capture-recapture data, and are editors of a book on the subject.
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| Representative Projects |
- Population Survey of Golden Eagles in the Western United States WEST, Inc. conducted an aerial survey, August, 2003, to estimate golden eagle populations across parts of 13 states in the intermountain western United States for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Salmonid Survey Design of Coastal Streams of California for assessment of salmonid populations in all coastal recovery units for the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Santa Cruz, California.
- Design and implementation of a long-term monitoring plan for aquatic resources in wadeable streams of North Cascade National Park, Olympic National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park.
- Aquatic and Wildlife Monitoring Plans for yellow-legged frogs, passerines, and small mammal populations for Mendocino Redwood Company, Fort Bragg, California.
- Monitoring of Passerines using passerine point count data for estimation of detection probabilities and species richness for Hawthorne Timber Company, Fort Bragg, California.
- Design and analysis of observer Programs for monitoring the bycatch of marine mammals and birds by commercial fisheries in Alaska and New Zealand.
- Design and analysis of procedures to estimate grizzly bear abundance using hair traps and DNA in the Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
- Consultation on design and analysis of banding studies of black brant in Alaska and Mexico for the U.S. National Biological Service.
- Estimation of turnover rates of Pacific brant on Izembek Lagoon, Alaska using band resight data. National Biological Survey, Anchorage, Alaska.
- Design, conduct, and analysis of aerial surveys for polar bear in western Alaska for the U.S. National Biological Service.
- Design, conduct, and analysis of aerial surveys for Dall sheep in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska, for the U.S. National Park Service.
- Statistical comparison of helicopter and ground surveys of mule deer populations for estimating sex and age composition and corrections for visibility bias for the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish.
- Design and analysis procedures for the joint U.S.-Russian walrus aerial survey in the Bering and Chukchi Seas for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Design and analysis of aerial surveys of Dall sheep in the U.S. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Design and analysis of line transect aerial surveys of moose on several National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska, for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Design and analysis of aerial surveys of nesting and staging Pacific brant in Alaska, for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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GEOSTATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF SPATIALLY CORRELATED DATA SETS & GIS DATA
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WEST can provide statistical consulting services for design and analysis of spatially correlated data. WEST has access to computing facilities necessary for analysis of large data sets.
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Representative Projects
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- Statistical design and analysis for estimation of forage fish biomass and abundance in the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee's Alaska Predator Ecosystem Experiment for Forage Fish/Seabird Interactions in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
- Development of wildlife habitat information from satellite imagery, ground-truthed sites and GIS on the Innoko National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Development of pronghorn distribution maps in Wyoming using line transect aerial survey techniques. Kenetech/U.S. Windpower.
- Development of methods for differentiating between sources of hydrologic impacts in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming using stochastic groundwater flow modeling. Abandoned Coal Mine Land Research Program.
- Computer simulation of sampling and analysis protocols for estimation of black brant abundance in Izembek Lagoon, using line transect sampling with data generated from digital photography. National Biological Service, Anchorage, Alaska.
- Development of statistical methods to estimate a confidence interval for the gradient of a spatial linear trend in NDVI indices from satellite image data. National Biological Service, Boise, Idaho.
- Design of a cost effective two phase sampling plan for identification of areas of concern for an environmental receptors assessment plan on the grounds of a synthetic rubber plant in Texas. ENSR Consulting and Engineering, Fort Collins, Colorado.
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RESOURCE SELECTION STUDIES
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WEST has been a leader in development of modern modeling techniques for study of resource selection by animal populations. Four senior level WEST Statisticians co-authored a book in which methods are standardized and developed.
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Representative Projects
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- Modeling of northern spotted owl nighttime habitat requirements, nesting habitat requirements, survival, fecundity, and overall site fitness for Green Diamond Resource Company, Korbel, California.
- Modeling of habitat selection by sand lance by examining sand lance distribution in relation to water depth, distance to shore, bottom slope, bottom type, distance from sand bottom, and shoreline type in Prince William Sound for the USFWS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK.
- Modeling of northern spotted owl foraging site selection in development of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Fruit Growers Supply Company, Hilt, California.
- Modeling of habitat selection by brown bears on the Kenai Peninsula in relationship to food availability and human developments for the Chugach National Forest, Anchorage, Alaska.
- Estimation of resource selection by bighorn sheep and domestic cattle for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Boise, Idaho.
- Analysis of multivariate habitat data for grizzly bears and road data for evaluation of resource selection by grizzly bears for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
- Consultation on use of habitat selection functions for evaluation of habitat selection by black brant and geese on the Arctic Coastal Plain for Alaska Biological Research, Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Estimation of resource selection by moose and song birds on the Innoko National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Estimation of resource selection by nesting passerines in the Chemult National Forest, Oregon. Weyerhauser Forest Products.
- Estimation of resource selection by brown bears on the USFS Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
- Examination of resource selection and development of predictive models useful for impact analysis (e.g., wildlife/ energy development) from telemetry data combined with satellite imagery and other variables.
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RADIO-TELEMETRY STUDIES
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WEST has experience in the conduct and statistical analysis of radio-telemetry studies, including resource selection and animal movements, and the complexities of analyses incorporating spatial and temporal correlations.
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Representative Projects
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- Analysis of radio telemetry data for evaluation of precision of relocations of animals for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Estimation of ice type selection based on radio telemetry data for polar bear off the west coast of Alaska for the National Biological Service.
- Use of Global Positioning System (GPS) radio-collars to identify timing and routes of mule deer migrations in western Wyoming.
- Analysis of spotted owl foraging and nesting habitat in Northern California.
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DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF FIELD STUDIES
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WEST's major contribution in many studies is expert consultation on design and statistical analysis of field ecology studies. Emphasis is placed on development of study protocols and standard field procedures that result in statistical inferences which are justified by the study design. WEST employees contribute to field studies by directly participating in collection of field data.
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Representative Projects
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- Design and analysis of Natural Resource Damage Assessments of injury to wildlife and wildlife habitats in the Clark Fork River Basin for the State of Montana and the Coeur d'Alene River Basin for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Consultation on design and analysis of elk reproductive studies for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Expert testimony and review of statistical analysis of data used to support listing of the California Gnatcatcher as an endangered subspecies for the legal firm Nossaman, Guthner, Know & Elliott.
- Statistical analysis of avian community response to habitat variation and conifer succession in aspen forest for the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Laramie, Wyoming.
- Design and analysis for studies investigating of the effects of salvage logging on bird populations in the Pacific Northwest. Weyerhauser Forest Products.
- Analysis of response of Pacific brant to hunting and aircraft disturbance at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska. and wintering areas in Mexico, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Design and analysis of comprehensive studies investigating the effects of wind power development on wildlife species on sites in Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota and California. SeaWest, Inc., NSP, FPL, NREL.
- Evaluation and statistical analysis of mining impacts on raptors. Kiewit Mining Company, Sheridan, Wyoming.
- Design and analysis for studies to evaluate impact of noise on California Gnatcatchers and Least Bells Vireos at naval bases in southern California. U.S. Navy.
- Statistical design and analysis for the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee's Alaska Predator Ecosystem Experiment for Forage Fish/Seabird Interactions and Nearshore Vertebrate Predator Study, Prince William Sound, Alaska.
- Statistical design and analysis for the Coastal Habitat Injury Assessment following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
- Statistical design and analysis for the National EMAP-Wetlands Monitoring Program.
- Design of long-term environmental monitoring studies for the Central Alaskan National Park Network.
- Analyses for spotted owl and marbled murrelet habitat conservation plans in California, Oregon, and Washington.
- Analyses to determine disturbance of bowhead whales, caribou, and spectacled eiders in or near oil fields on the North Slope of Alaska.
- Estimation and delineation of the polar bear populations in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas.
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DESIGN AND ANALYSIS FOR WILDLIFE AND PLANT RISK AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDIES
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WEST has been a primary contributor to many studies assessing risks of various pollutants, toxicants, and other causes of impacts to wildlife and humans. Emphasis is placed on development of sound study protocols, standard operating procedures, and objective and straight-forward statistical inferences that are justified by the study design.
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Representative Projects
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- Development of methods and analyses for assessing the collision risks of birds and bats at wind projects throughout the U.S.
- Consultation and statistical analysis for human risk assessment of groundwater and air contaminates near Lowery Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado, Versar Inc.
- Environmental risk assessment of an energy development zone within Klickitat County, Washington.
- Design and analysis of laboratory studies in support of application for a site specific dissolved oxygen standard on the South Platte River below the discharge point for the Denver Metro Wastewater Reclamation District.
- Consultation on design and analysis of bioassay studies for testing of discharge water into marine waters for the California Marine Bioassay Project, State of California.
- Computer simulation of power to detect important biological effects in avian laboratory reproduction studies for Miles Corporation.
- Design and analysis of aquatic studies of heavy metal effects on growth and survival of amphibians related to the CARB NRDA.
- Assessment of mortality risks from lead and other heavy metal contamination on birds at Rocky Flats, Denver, Colorado.
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WORKSHOPS AND SHORT COURSES
WEST offers workshops and professional training in a 1-day to 5-day format on the following topics:
- Resource selection by animals
- Computer intensive statistics
- Environmental and ecological sampling
- Introductory statistics
A Sample of Recent Workshops
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- First International Workshop and Conference on Resource Selection. January 11-15, 2003. University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.
- Analysis of resource selection. April 8, 2003. During annual meeting of the Alaska Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Analysis of resource selection and risk assessment. September 23, 2003. During annual meeting of The Wildlife Society, Bismarck, North Dakota.
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SERVICE ON SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEES AND PANELS
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Independent Scientific Review Panel for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Dr. Lyman McDonald was a member of the Panel from 1997 to 2005 providing review of fish and wildlife projects proposed for funding under the Council's Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.
Independent Scientific Advisory Board for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, NOAA Fisheries, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Dr. Lyman McDonald was a member of the Board from 1996 until 2005 providing review of scientific and technical information concerning recovery of salmon in the Columbia and Snake River Basins.
Program Advisory Panel for the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Act Collaborative Program, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office. Dr. Lyman McDonald was Chair of the Panel during 2004-2005. The Panel was charged with providing guidance to promote long-term conservation and recovery for the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (Hybognathus amarus) in the Middle Rio Grande.
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources for the New Zealand government. Dr. Bryan Manly was a member of the commission from 1996 to 2000. The Commission is an international organization involving 28 countries that is charged with monitoring and managing the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
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