Utilization distribution explained

A utilization distribution is a probability distribution giving the probability density that an animal is found at a given point in space. It is estimated from data sampling the location of an individual or individuals in space over a period of time using, for example, telemetry or GPS based methods.

Estimation of utilization distribution was traditionally based on histograms but newer nonparametric methods based on Fourier transformations,[1] kernel density[2] and local convex hull methods have been developed.

The typical application for this distribution is estimating the home range distribution of animals. According to Lichti & Swihart (2011),[3] kernel density methods provided, in many cases, less biased home-range area estimates compared to convex hull methods.

See also

References

  1. Anderson. D. John. February 1982. The Home Range: A New Nonparametric Estimation Technique. Ecology. en. 63. 1. 103–112. 10.2307/1937036. 0012-9658. 1937036.
  2. Worton. B. J.. February 1989. Kernel Methods for Estimating the Utilization Distribution in Home-Range Studies. Ecology. en. 70. 1. 164–168. 10.2307/1938423. 0012-9658. 1938423.
  3. Lichti. Nathanael I.. Swihart. Robert K.. February 2011. Estimating utilization distributions with kernel versus local convex hull methods. The Journal of Wildlife Management. en. 75. 2. 413–422. 10.1002/jwmg.48. 0022-541X.