Comparison of Several Probabilistic Home-Range Models

Abstract

The term utilization distribution is used to refer to the relative frequency distribution for the points of location of an animal over a period of time. Nine univariate and bivariate probabilistic home- range models were compared to determine their relative suitabilities as an approximation of a utiliza- tion distribution. The differences between univariate and bivariate models and methods were clarified. Since the utilization distribution is a bivariate distribution itself, a bivariate probability distribution gen- erally will be more appropriate. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 39(1):118-123 One important question in any modeling effort is: What is the purpose of the model in terms of the biological information de- sired? The answer to this question must be considered prior to developing and testing a model. In the home-range models I shall compare, the biological information of in- terest is: (1) size and shape of home range, and (2) the effect of various factors on size and shape of home range. A second important question is: What properties of the real system are to be modeled? The answer requires reflecting on how much detail of the system is to be lumped in the interests of emphasizing cer- tain dominant features. For home-range models this means deciding what aspects of our knowledge concerning the behavior of the animal and the characteristics of the habitat are to be included in the model and what aspects are to be ignored.