Population dynamics and ecology of seal populations, empirical data and the search for theory to help our understanding. Stochastic growth models, image analysis, spatial distribution and telemetry data on migrations

Abstract: This talk is about how statistical and mathematical methods are helpful when we try to understand processes in wildlife populations. The European harbour seal (Sw: knubbsälen) has been studied carefully for 40 years and the long time series allows analysis of how population growth is regulated. Recently the population growth has declined and we visited the colonies to try to document in detail what is going on in order to give better advise to managers. We develop new methods for estimating body size from drones and for counting seals from photos with machine learning algorithms. We apply stochastic population growth models, dynamic energy budget models, and we discuss what is density dependence in age structured populations in a variable environment. We are also interested in new collaborations and feed back and look forward to interesting discussions on ways forward. Welcome! Karin and Daire

zoologymachine learningprobabilitystatistics theory

Audience: researchers in the topic

Comments: Karin Harding is professor in animal ecology with a focus on marine mammals at GU and Daire Carroll is postdoctoral researcher and develops new digital tools for wildlife ecology.

Gothenburg statistics seminar

Series comments: Gothenburg statistics seminar is open to the interested public, everybody is welcome. It usually takes place in MVL14 (http://maps.chalmers.se/#05137ad7-4d34-45e2-9d14-7f970517e2b60, see specific talk).