Spatially explicit abundance estimation of a rare habitat specialist: implications for SECR study design

Estimating abundance is an essential component of monitoring and recovery of rare species and spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models provide the means for robust density estimation. Previous work has elucidated principles of SECR study design for large, generalist carnivores, but less attention has been paid to study design considerations for smaller species, with less extensive home ranges. Here we integrated data from an intensive pilot study with simulation modeling to evaluate the influence of survey sampling intensity on precision and accuracy in SECR abundance estimation for a rare lagomorph that specializes on patchily distributed early successional habitats. Doing so, we obtained the first mark-recapture density estimates for the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis). Capture probability and density on the landscape both impacted the required intensity of the sampling design. The optimal study design for robust estimation also required a greater numbe...