Mark-resight model
We used mark-resight models to estimate each species’ abundance within
each plot, while accounting for variation in detection probability
across species, time of day, and observer. The model shared information
about detection and abundance across sites and species, while allowing
for site and species-specific deviations via random intercepts and
slopes (Frishkoff et al. 2019). Doing so permits robust abundance
and detection estimates of both common and rare species. Species
abundance was predicted based on plot canopy openness, measured using a
spherical densiometer, and mean annual temperature and precipitation
variables. The latter were extracted from the Chelsa dataset (Kargeret al. 2017) using plot latitude and longitude.
Mark-resight models were implemented in a Bayesian framework using JAGS
V4.2.0 (Plummer 2003) within the R V3.4.4 environment (Su & Yajima
2014). For every species at every plot the model provided estimates of
total abundance, and the effects of parameters related to environmental
variables. A full model description is available in the supplement.