111 research outputs found
Mixture models for distance sampling detection functions
Funding: EPSRC DTGWe present a new class of models for the detection function in distance sampling surveys of wildlife populations, based on finite mixtures of simple parametric key functions such as the half-normal. The models share many of the features of the widely-used “key function plus series adjustment” (K+A) formulation: they are flexible, produce plausible shapes with a small number of parameters, allow incorporation of covariates in addition to distance and can be fitted using maximum likelihood. One important advantage over the K+A approach is that the mixtures are automatically monotonic non-increasing and non-negative, so constrained optimization is not required to ensure distance sampling assumptions are honoured. We compare the mixture formulation to the K+A approach using simulations to evaluate its applicability in a wide set of challenging situations. We also re-analyze four previously problematic real-world case studies. We find mixtures outperform K+A methods in many cases, particularly spiked line transect data (i.e., where detectability drops rapidly at small distances) and larger sample sizes. We recommend that current standard model selection methods for distance sampling detection functions are extended to include mixture models in the candidate set.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe
Nonparametric inference in hidden Markov models using P-splines
Hidden Markov models (HMMs) are flexible time series models in which the
distributions of the observations depend on unobserved serially correlated
states. The state-dependent distributions in HMMs are usually taken from some
class of parametrically specified distributions. The choice of this class can
be difficult, and an unfortunate choice can have serious consequences for
example on state estimates, on forecasts and generally on the resulting model
complexity and interpretation, in particular with respect to the number of
states. We develop a novel approach for estimating the state-dependent
distributions of an HMM in a nonparametric way, which is based on the idea of
representing the corresponding densities as linear combinations of a large
number of standardized B-spline basis functions, imposing a penalty term on
non-smoothness in order to maintain a good balance between goodness-of-fit and
smoothness. We illustrate the nonparametric modeling approach in a real data
application concerned with vertical speeds of a diving beaked whale,
demonstrating that compared to parametric counterparts it can lead to models
that are more parsimonious in terms of the number of states yet fit the data
equally well
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