Statistical Modeling for Naturalists

This book will allow naturalists, nature stewards, and graduate students to appreciate and comprehend basic statistical concepts as a bridge to more complex themes relevant to their daily work. Although there are excellent sources on more specialized analytical topics relevant to naturalists, this introductory book makes a connection with the experience and needs of field practitioners. It uses aspects of the natural history of the Florida scrub relevant for conservation and management as examples of analytical issues pertinent to the naturalist in a broader context. Each chapter identifies important ecological questions and then provides approaches to evaluate data, focusing on the analytical decision-making process. The book guides the reader on frequently overlooked aspects such as the understanding of model assumptions, alternative model specifications, model output interpretation, and model limitations. About the Author Pedro F. Quintana Ascencio is Full Professor at the Department of Biology of the University of Central Florida. He has published over 100 academic articles in journals such as Conservation Biology, Ecology, Journal of Ecology, Methods in Ecology, Nature, and Science, as well as eight book chapters. Federico López Borghesi is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Biology of the University of Central Florida, where he teaches statistical modelling to graduate students. Broadly trained as a plant scientist, he is currently conducting demographic studies with a focus on rare species biology. Eric S. Menges is Senior Researcher at Florida’s Archbold Biological Station, USA. He has published more than 120 academic articles in prominent journals such as Conservation Biology, Ecology, Journal of Ecology, Methods in Ecology, Nature, and Science, and more than 20 book chapters.