Comparison and review of models describing sea turtle nesting abundance

摘要: Count data are often used to assess relative population size and trends with sufficient power confidence for wildlife studies, including those nesting sea turtles. Although access turtles while is relatively simple compared many other migratory marine animals, optimal surveys tagging every individual through the season not feasible due time, financial logistic constraints. Partial survey counts can then be estimate abundance. Several models have previously been published describing seasonal shape in abundance turtles, but none different model fits using a numerical approach all limited general application as they describe only 1 location or species. We 22 non-parametric parametric modelling approaches 9 populations of comprising 3 species: green Chelonia mydas, loggerhead Caretta caretta leatherback Dermochelys coriacea. showed marked differences their fit, provided reasonable estimates annual abundance, mean errors less than 8% 50% coverage mostly 8 10% 20% random coverage. Of that produced significantly lower absolute error, we recommend generalized additive ease fitting, flexibility across shapes good predictive ability.