Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/P020356/1

Statistical models for wildlife population assessment and conservation

Lead Supervisor:: Professor R McCrea, University of Kent, Sch of Maths Statistics & Actuarial Sci
Grant held at:: University of Kent, Sch of Maths Statistics & Actuarial Sci

ENRIs:: Biodiversity; Environmental Risks and Hazards; Global Change
Science Topics:: Animal behaviour; Modelling behaviour; Demographic modelling; Demography (General); Statistics & Appl. Probability; Bayesian Methods; Biostatistics; Likelihood Function; Markov Chain Monte Carlo; Maximum Likelihood

Abstract:: Within the environmental sector there is currently a shortage of practitioners equipped with the statistical modelling skills to carry out reliable population assessments. Consequently, environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and development mitigation projects often use population assessment protocols that are not fit-for-purpose. The skills shortage arises because (1) recent advances in statistical models for population assessment are largely confined to the academic sector with little penetration to the end-users; and (2) although many postgraduate programmes have a statistical modelling training component, this often fails to expose PhD students to new models in the area and the potential applications these have for conservation practice. This training programme will provide a cohort of PhD students and early career researchers/practitioners with the relevant modelling skills required for a career that involves wildlife population assessment for conservation.

Authorised funds only

This training grant award has a total value of £53,584

Total - Other Costs
£53,584

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