| Title | Calculating the variance of the finite rate of population change from a matrix model in Mathematica |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2007 |
| Authors | Skalski, J, Millspaugh, JJ, Dillingham, P, Buchanan, RA |
| Journal | Special section: Advanced Technology for Environmental Modelling |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pagination | 359 - 364 |
| Date Published | 2007/03/01/ |
| ISBN Number | 1364-8152 |
| Keywords | Delta method, Eigenvalue, Lambda, Leslie matrix, Rate of increase, Wildlife |
| Abstract | The finite annual rate of population increase (λ) is a fundamental demographic parameter that characterizes the relative annual change in animal numbers. Uncertainty in the estimation of λ from demographic population viability analyses (PVAs) has been largely limited to sensitivity analysis, calculating a pseudo-distribution for λˆ using Monte Carlo methods, or by use of bootstrap methods. The delta method has been used and suggested by several researchers, but no one has provided the computational means to implement it. In this paper, we present Mathematica code to calculate λ and its variance based on eigenvalue calculations of a Leslie transition matrix. We demonstrate the procedure using data from a Hawaiian hawk (Buteo solitarius) study. |
| URL | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364815206000028 |
| Short Title | Environmental Modelling & Software |