December 1, 2025Ecological ApplicationsOpen Access

Method matters: Use of thermal‐imaging drones to assess the assumptions of density estimation techniques

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Thermal‐imaging drones reveal limits in density estimation techniques for white-tailed deer, suggesting new analytical approaches.

Density estimation accuracy improved when accounting for availability bias based on vegetation and season.
Study found over 50% of deer were undetectable in woodlands during peak spring green-up, impacting density estimates.
Distance sampling analysis relies on detection probability adjustments due to deer behaviors influenced by seasons and time of night.
Drone surveys can enhance wildlife monitoring strategies, informing better density estimation methodologies.

Delaney et al. (2025) studied this question.

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