Ferguson, Jake M

Ferguson Lab Intro

Group research activities: Our research is primarily focused on characterizing the strength and consequences of ecological interactions by combining ecological theory and data-driven modeling approaches. Our approach aims to generate predictions using theory, then validate this theory using statistical models. We are currently focused on understanding how nonlinear dynamics influence the propagation of noise in ecological systems and how individual behavior scales up to influence the interactions between predators and their prey.

HIMARC count calibration

Description: We are working on integrating counts made using different survey methodologies of Hawaiian fishes. Many governmental agencies and NGO's conduct surveys of Hawaiian fishes, though their survey techniques vary widely. This projects goal is to calibrate a large database of fish counts made using different survey designs with statistical techniques. Our modeling approach works by comparing counts in ecologically similar areas made using different survey techniques. We can can calibrate existing counts to a standardized method by then prediction what the observed counts would have been if we had implemented an alternative survey design. We will also determine whether taxonomic information can be used to inform the estimated counts for rare or cryptic species.

Students

Computational methods

Hierarchical Bayesian statistical models. All software is available as freeware.

Software

R with the following libraries: rstan, R2jags
JAGS (Just Another Gibbs Sampler)

Collaborators

Laura Jimenez (non-UK)
Megan Donahue (non-UK)
Mary Donovan (non-UK)

Grants

Publications