Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Ecosystem Managers

<p><b>Explores computer-intensive probability and statistics for ecosystem management decision making</b></p> <p>Simulation is an accessible way to explain probability and stochastic model behavior to beginners. This book introduces probability and statistics to future and practicing ecosystem managers by providing a comprehensive treatment of these two areas. The author presents a self-contained introduction for individuals involved in monitoring, assessing, and managing ecosystems and features intuitive, simulation-based explanations of probabilistic and statistical concepts. Mathematical programming details are provided for estimating ecosystem model parameters with Minimum Distance, a robust and computer-intensive method.</p> <p>The majority of examples illustrate how probability and statistics can be applied to ecosystem management challenges. There are over 50 exercises – making this book suitable for a lecture course in a natural resource and/or wildlife management department, or as the main text in a program of self-study.</p> <p><i>Key features:</i></p> <ul> <li>Reviews different approaches to wildlife and ecosystem management and inference.</li> <li>Uses simulation as an accessible way to explain probability and stochastic model behavior to beginners.</li> <li>Covers material from basic probability through to hierarchical Bayesian models and spatial/ spatio-temporal statistical inference.</li> <li>Provides detailed instructions for using R, along with complete R programs to recreate the output of the many examples presented.</li> <li>Provides an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) along with examples from Quantum GIS, a free GIS software package.</li> <li>A companion website featuring all R code and data used throughout the book.</li> <li>Solutions to all exercises are presented along with an online intelligent tutoring system that supports readers who are using the book for self-study.</li> </ul>