Skip navigation
Skip navigation

Do observer differences in bird detection affect inferences from large-scale ecological studies?

Wood, Jeffrey; MacGregor, Chris; Lindenmayer, David B

Description

Use of multiple observers in large-scale bird surveys is often unavoidable. But how significant are observer differences in bird detection? Do observer effects significantly influence inferences about environmental factors on birds? We conducted a field experiment to quantify differences between observers in the detection of birds at Booderee National Park, south-eastern Australia. We also re-analysed a large dataset from an observational study where multiple observers had participated in bird...[Show more]

dc.contributor.authorWood, Jeffrey
dc.contributor.authorMacGregor, Chris
dc.contributor.authorLindenmayer, David B
dc.date.accessioned2015-12-10T22:35:20Z
dc.identifier.issn0158-4197
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1885/56245
dc.description.abstractUse of multiple observers in large-scale bird surveys is often unavoidable. But how significant are observer differences in bird detection? Do observer effects significantly influence inferences about environmental factors on birds? We conducted a field experiment to quantify differences between observers in the detection of birds at Booderee National Park, south-eastern Australia. We also re-analysed a large dataset from an observational study where multiple observers had participated in bird surveys. We identified highly significant observer differences for estimates of bird species richness and the probability of detection of three exemplar taxa. We demonstrated that observer effects would not substantially alter inferences we made about relationships between bird species and vegetation type or burning history. We believe that four features of our survey design and protocol limited the magnitude of observer effects on environmental inferences: (1) high levels of replication of classes of field sites critical for relative comparisons of site (vegetation) types; (2) pre-survey screening to ensure that only experienced ornithologists participated in surveys; (3) repeat sampling of field sites by a different observer on a different day to reduce the impacts of observer heterogeneity and 'day' effects; and (4) precluding surveys during poor weather or long after dawn, also to limit 'day' effects.
dc.language.isoen_AU
dc.publisherRoyal Australasian Ornithologists Union
dc.sourceEmu
dc.subjectKeywords: biological survey; bird; detection method; environmental factor; heterogeneity; national park; survey design; Australasia; Australia; Booderee National Park; New South Wales; Aves
dc.titleDo observer differences in bird detection affect inferences from large-scale ecological studies?
dc.typeJournal article
local.description.notesImported from ARIES
local.identifier.citationvolume109
dc.date.issued2009
local.identifier.absfor050206 - Environmental Monitoring
local.identifier.ariespublicationU4279067xPUB356
local.type.statusPublished Version
local.contributor.affiliationLindenmayer, David, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU
local.contributor.affiliationWood, Jeffrey, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU
local.contributor.affiliationMacGregor, Chris, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU
local.description.embargo2037-12-31
local.bibliographicCitation.startpage100
local.bibliographicCitation.lastpage106
local.identifier.doi10.1071/MU08029
dc.date.updated2016-02-24T10:50:26Z
local.identifier.scopusID2-s2.0-67650948301
local.identifier.thomsonID000266864000003
CollectionsANU Research Publications

Download

File Description SizeFormat Image
01_Lindenmayer_Do_observer_differences_in_2009.pdf120.38 kBAdobe PDF    Request a copy


Items in Open Research are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Updated:  17 November 2022/ Responsible Officer:  University Librarian/ Page Contact:  Library Systems & Web Coordinator