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Description: Distance-sampling is a popular method for abundance estimation in ecology. This package contains functions and associated routines to analyze distance-sampling data collected on point or line transects. Both types of transects are accomodated in one routine that accepts a regression-like formula. Abundance routines perform automated bootstrapping and automated detection-function selection. Overall (study area) and site-level abundance estimates are available. A large suite of classical, parametric detection functions are included, and the package can accommodate user-defined detection functions.

The best place to get started is probably with the Tutorials below.

MAJOR UPDATE COMPLETE

The stable version of Rdistance on CRAN represents a major update from the previous version. New features include:

• point transect analysis (v1.3.2 only allowed line transects)
• covariates in the detection function (v1.3.2 did not allow covariates).
• non-parametric (smoothed) distance functions
• enhanced plotting abilities
• enhanced vignettes
• many bug fixes

Current Release

The current release is here.

Tutorials

• Rdistance tutorial for beginners
• Modeling abundance in relation to covariates
• User-defined likelihood functions in Rdistance
• Rdistance reference manual

General Information

• Basic information on distance sampling
• General advice for designing distance-sampling studies (coming soon)
• How does Rdistance relate to other distance sampling analysis software?

Frequently Asked Questions

• Rdistance FAQs