A ‘How to’ guide for interpreting parameters in habitat‐selection analyses

2021/02/14 by John Fieberg, Johannes Signer, Brian J. Smith +2 · 334 citations
Environmental Science · #Artificial intelligence #Avian ecology and behavior #Biology #Computer science #Ecology #Habitat #Popularity #Process (computing) #Selection (genetic algorithm) #Species Distribution and Climate Change #Wildlife #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/1365-2656.13441

published in Journal of Animal Ecology 90(5), 1027-1043 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 2021/02/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

Habitat-selection analyses allow researchers to link animals to their environment via habitat-selection or step-selection functions, and are commonly used to address questions related to wildlife management and conservation efforts. Habitat-selection analyses that incorporate movement characteristics, referred to as integrated step-selection analyses, are particularly appealing because they allow modelling of both movement and habitat-selection processes. Despite their popularity, many users struggle with interpreting parameters in habitat-selection and step-selection functions. Integrated step-selection analyses also require several additional steps to translate model parameters into a full-fledged movement model, and the mathematics supporting this approach can be challenging for many to understand. Using simple examples, we demonstrate how weighted distribution theory and the inhomogeneous Poisson point process can facilitate parameter interpretation in habitat-selection analyses. Furthermore, we provide a 'how to' guide illustrating the steps required to implement integrated step-selection analyses using the amt package By providing clear examples with open-source code, we hope to make habitat-selection analyses more understandable and accessible to end users.

Citations

• Establishing the link between habitat selection and animal population dynamics
• Kernel Methods for Estimating the Utilization Distribution in Home‐Range Studies
• The Comparison of Usage and Availability Measurements for Evaluating Resource Preference
• Habitat selection patterns are density dependent under the ideal free distribution

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