Evaluating Great Lakes Bald Eagle Nesting Habitat with Bayesian Inference
Title | Evaluating Great Lakes Bald Eagle Nesting Habitat with Bayesian Inference PDF eBook |
Author | Teryl G. Grubb |
Publisher | |
Total Pages | 16 |
Release | 2003 |
Genre | Bald eagle |
ISBN |
Bayesian inference facilitated structured interpretation of a nonreplicated, experience-based survey of potential nesting habitat for bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) along the five Great Lakes shorelines. We developed a pattern recognition (PATREC) model of our aerial search image with six habitat attributes: (a) tree cover, (b) proximity and (c) type/amount of human disturbance, (d) potential foraging habitat/shoreline irregularity, and suitable trees for (e) perching and (f) nesting. Tree cover greater than 10 percent, human disturbance more than 0.8 km away, a ratio of total to linear shoreline distance greater than 2.0, and suitable perch and nest trees were prerequisite for good eagle habitat (having sufficient physical attributes for bald eagle nesting). The estimated probability of good habitat was high (96 percent) when all attributes were optimal, and nonexistent (0 percent) when none of the model attributes were present. Of the 117 active bald eagle nests along the Great Lakes shorelines in 1992, 82 percent were in habitat classified as good. While our PATREC model provides a method for consistent interpretation of subjective surveyor experience, it also facilitates future management of bald eagle nesting habitat along Great Lakes shorelines by providing insight into the number, type, and relative importance of key habitat attributes. This practical application of Bayesian inference demonstrates the technique's advantages for effectively incorporating available expertise, detailing model development processes, enabling exploratory simulations, and facilitating long-term ecosystem monitoring.
Research Paper RMRS
Title | Research Paper RMRS PDF eBook |
Author | |
Publisher | |
Total Pages | 16 |
Release | 1998 |
Genre | Forests and forestry |
ISBN |
Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications
Title | Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications PDF eBook |
Author | |
Publisher | |
Total Pages | 1000 |
Release | 2004 |
Genre | Government publications |
ISBN |
Bald Eagle Populations in the Great Lakes Region
Title | Bald Eagle Populations in the Great Lakes Region PDF eBook |
Author | Alison Laurie Neilson |
Publisher | |
Total Pages | 20 |
Release | 2001 |
Genre | Bald eagle |
ISBN |
Heavy development in the Great Lakes area has diminished eagle nesting habitat and foraging opportunities. This document presents information on bald eagles and describes some of the challenges to bald eagle populations around the Great Lakes, including chemical contaminants in the aquatic food web. It outlines legislative protection and conservation strategies, and describes current conditions and nesting results for bald eagles.
Pattern Recognition
Title | Pattern Recognition PDF eBook |
Author | Teryl G. Grubb |
Publisher | |
Total Pages | 6 |
Release | 1988 |
Genre | Biotic communities |
ISBN |
Proceedings of the Third Expert Consultation Meeting on Bald Eagles in the Great Lakes Basin
Title | Proceedings of the Third Expert Consultation Meeting on Bald Eagles in the Great Lakes Basin PDF eBook |
Author | Great Lakes Science Advisory Board. Biological Effects Subcommittee |
Publisher | Windsor, Ont. : The Subcommittee |
Total Pages | 36 |
Release | 1992 |
Genre | Bald eagle |
ISBN |
Bald Eagle Production in the Great Lakes States, 1973-1981
Title | Bald Eagle Production in the Great Lakes States, 1973-1981 PDF eBook |
Author | |
Publisher | |
Total Pages | 54 |
Release | 1982 |
Genre | Bald eagle |
ISBN |