Different Grain Resolutions and Their Effect on Population Dynamics
Orlando Acevedo-Charry, Brynn Fricke, Megan Quinn, Matthew Shuler, Miguel A. Acevedo
Project Information
PI
Orlando Acevedo-Charry
Institution
University of Florida
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
School of Natural Resources and the Environment
Duration
August 2023 - Present
Research Focus
Using eBird data from seven species of Neotropical tanagers from the genus Thraupis, we are determining the correct subsampling grain resolution when analyzing population dynamics. We are using twelve different grain sizes, ranging from 1 km to 517 km, to see the effect of grain size on colonization and extinction rates of these species.
Context
Many studies focusing on population dynamics using community science data from eBird arbitrarily choose a subsampling grain size, but this may have a profound effect on the results of the data analysis. As eBird data becomes more prominent in ornithological studies, finding a sound methodology for choosing a grain size is important.
Figure by Orlando Acevedo-Charry
Dissemination
Project Responsibilities
I am responsible for finding the most common grain sizes used by researchers that use eBird data for mapping population dynamics. I have conducted a literature review of 900+ sources that include eBird data and filtered them for those focusing on population dynamics.
Alongside Megan Quinn, I presented our research at UF's Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium in November 2023. This symposium was open to all students and faculty at UF, so I was able to share our research with a large breadth of people from different backgrounds. Additionally, Orlando is presenting our findings at the American Ornithological Society conference in October 2024.