Results are based on a hierarchical model for population change, as described in Link and Sauer 2002a. We use a hierarchical model to produce annual indices of abundance for a region, then estimate trend as the ratio of the annual indices for the first and last year of the interval of interest. The Markov chain Monte-Carlo method used to fit the model is an interative fitting procedure, which produces a series of replicates from which the estimates and their credible intervals can be derived. This summary program uses these replicates, summarized at the level of stratum within states or Provinces, aggregates them into regional estimates for the selected region, and calculates a trend as a ratio of annual indices corresponding to the first and last years of the selected interval.
Output from the program includes:
User Notes:
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