Publications by authors named "Jeffrey Mintz"
Species richness is an important metric used for undertaking conservation management decisions. However, species richness estimates are influenced by species detection probabilities, with potential to entirely overlook species during surveys. Occupancy models which account for imperfect detection provide unbiased estimates, ensuring accurate estimates of richness.
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- - A healthy ecosystem requires a balanced relationship between carnivores and their prey, which this study explores through the predator-prey power law equation in Nepal's lowland protected areas.
- - The study found that predator biomass density increases about three times for every five times the increase in prey biomass density, creating a lopsided biomass pyramid that supports the idea of predator reliance on prey.
- - By examining competition between predators, the research suggests that maintaining the power law exponent can help scientists better understand the growth patterns in ecological communities, leading to new research opportunities.
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- Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) research in high-altitude areas is limited, but this study focuses on the Gaurishankar Conservation Area in Nepal, examining the rising conflict trends involving leopards and Himalayan black bears over the past decade.
- The analysis reveals that goats are the primary livestock attacked, with the Dolakha district reporting the most incidents, underlining the urgent need for mitigation strategies, as livestock attacks account for 85% of compensation claims.
- The study suggests various solutions to reduce conflicts, such as increasing prey populations, community education, and implementing insurance programs, highlighting the research's importance for local communities and biodiversity conservation.
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- Positive and negative interactions among species shape the assembly of communities, particularly in dryland plant ecosystems like southeastern U.S. savannas.
- A study of longleaf pine and sandhill oaks revealed that higher oak densities significantly increased the survival and growth rates of longleaf pine seedlings, while lowest recruitment occurred under longleaf pine canopies.
- The findings suggest that conserving and managing xeric oaks can enhance the recovery and sustainability of longleaf pine ecosystems, which are vital for global biodiversity.
Proportion variables, also known as compositional data, are very common in ecology. Unfortunately, few scientists are aware of how compositional data, when used as covariates, can adversely impact statistical analysis. We describe here how proportion covariates result in multicollinearity and parameter identifiability problems.
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