14 Oct 2020
Inference for nonlinear state-space models of animal population dynamics given biased sequential life stage data with application to an endangered fish species - Ken Newman, BioSS
, The Observatory: 3:15 PM, 14 Oct 2020
RefID: 2007 click to edit (admin only)State-space models (SSMs) are a popular tool for modeling animal abundances. Inference difficulties for simple linear SSMs are well known, particularly in relation to simultaneous estimation of process and observation variances. For the particular case of nonlinear stage-structured SSMs fit with biased sequential life stage data, we show theoretically, using the methods of Cole and McCrea (2016), and by simulation how covariates in models for the state process and externally estimated observation variances can potentially alleviate identifiability problems. This work was motivated by the aim to understand the effects of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the population dynamics of Delta Smelt, an endangered minnow-sized fish endemic to the San Francisco Estuary and the centre of much political and legal controversy related to water management. To increase the utility of long-term fish monitoring data for fitting SSMs, gear efficiency studies were implemented that allowed estimation of observation variances external to SSM fitting and thus improve inferences.
04 Nov 2020
The first attempt to map sound sources from the air using an acoustic multirotor drone - Filippo Franchini, CREEM.
, The Observatory: 2:00 PM, 04 Nov 2020
RefID: 2009 click to edit (admin only)After 2 years of research and development David Borchers, his PhD student Filippo Franchini and the brother Federico Franchini tested in Laos the first acoustic multirotor drone. This is the first attempt to map acoustically endangered gibbons that are difficult to locate by sight. The project supported by CREEM, National Geographic Society and Association Anoulak allowed us to gain new insights into the use of drones for Aerial Digital Acoustic Surveys (ADAS). A technological, logistical, mental and physical adventure against time to collect precious data that are currently used to develop a new statistical method for terrestrial moving acoustic arrays. The presentation is divided into two parts: 1) Past and future acoustic drone construction challenges and the Laos fieldwork (3 min short video documenting the trip) and 2) the new statistical methodology that we are currently working on.
02 Dec 2020
Spatially-coupled hidden Markov models for short-term forecasting of wind speeds - Viarney Leos Barajas (University of Toronto)
, The Observatory: 2:00 PM, 02 Dec 2020RefID: 2010 click to edit (admin only)
27 Jan 2021
Gravitational wave statistics - Steve Drasco, Maths, University of St.Andrews.
Seminar Room, The Observatory: 2:00 PM, 27 Jan 2021
RefID: 2008 click to edit (admin only): I will survey some applications of statistics to the newly successful field of observing gravitational waves (propagating disturbances of spacetime curvature produced by energetic and distant events in the cosmos).
24 Feb 2021
Title tba, Dr Gideon Bradfurd,Michigan State University.
, The Observatory: 2:00 PM, 24 Feb 2021RefID: 2011 click to edit (admin only)
see also: Past Seminars