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Statistics & Biometrics |
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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’s 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
Resource Selection Studies
Design and Analysis of Radio-Telemetry Studies
Design and Analysis of Environmental Monitoring Studies
Design and Analysis of Wildlife and Plant Risk Assessment Studies
Design and Analysis of Bird and Bat Studies
Pre-, During-, and Post-Construction Wind Farm Studies
Design and Analysis of Marine Mammal 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:
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 |
Simulation Techniques
Spatial Statistics
Non-Parametric Methods
Distance Sampling Methods
Capture/Recapture Methods
Statistical Methods For Risk Assessment
Resource Selection
Telemetry and Triangulation Methods |
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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ESTIMATION OF BIOLOGICAL POPULATION SIZE
WEST can provide state-of-the-art consulting on all aspects of studies designed to estimate size andgeographic 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 the estimation of population parameters. Professor Bryan F.J. Manly and Dr. Trent McDonald are internationally known experts in the development of models for analysis of capture-recapture data and are editors of a book on the subject. Dr. Trent McDonald has published a freely available package of R routines used by researchers around the world to conduct capture-recapture analyses.
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RESOURCE SELECTION STUDIES
 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.
Representative Projects
- 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
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.
Representative Projects
- 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. |
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF FIELD STUDIES
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.
Representative Projects
- 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 OF BIRD AND BAT STUDIES
WEST is the industry leader in design and analysis of bird and bat studies, particularly around wind farm developments. WEST employs state-of-the-art methods and instruments to estimate use, carcass removal, mortality, and impact of developments on local bird and bat populations.
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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
Capture-Recapture Methods
Environmental and Ecological Sampling
Computer Intensive Statistics
Introductory Statistics
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SERVICE ON SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEES AND PANELS
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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