Arthur
There are several questions packed into this. I don't have an answer for cv(size) > cv(D); but let's start smaller. All elements needed to perform the variance component calculations can be extracted from the
summary(dsobject). I demonstrate with the wren_5min data set shipped with the Distance package (with a fabricated group size).
library(Distance)
data("wren_5min")
wren_5min$size <- rpois(134, 1) +1
cfac <- convert_units("meter", NULL, "hectare")
arthur <- ds(wren_5min, key="hr", truncation = 110,
transect = "point", convert_units = cfac)
gof_ds(arthur)
summary(arthur)
Summary for distance analysis
Number of observations : 132
Distance range : 0 - 110
Model : Hazard-rate key function
AIC : 1167.512
Detection function parameters
Scale coefficient(s):
estimate se
(Intercept) 4.195202 0.05797625
Shape coefficient(s):
estimate se
(Intercept) 1.881361 0.2303151
Estimate SE CV
Average p 0.4594877 0.03454677
0.07518541
N in covered region 287.2764876 28.36284260 0.09873012
Summary for clusters
Summary statistics:
Region Area CoveredArea Effort n k ER se.ER cv.ER
1 Montrave 33.2 243.2849 64 132 32 2.0625 0.1901692
0.09220324
Abundance:
Label Estimate se cv lcl ucl df
1 Total 39.20333 4.66409 0.1189718 30.96093 49.64001 77.73582
Density:
Label Estimate se cv lcl ucl df
1 Total 1.180823 0.1404846
0.1189718 0.9325582 1.495181 77.73582
Summary for individuals
Summary statistics:
Region Area CoveredArea Effort n k ER se.ER cv.ER mean.size
1 Montrave 33.2 243.2849 64 261 32 4.078125 0.3934375 0.09647508 1.977273
se.mean
1 0.08963513
Abundance:
Label Estimate se cv lcl ucl df
1 Total 77.51567 9.481117 0.1223123 60.80371 98.82094 73.6152
Density:
Label Estimate se cv lcl ucl df
1 Total 2.334809 0.2855758
0.1223123 1.831437 2.976534 73.6152
Expected cluster size
Region Expected.S se.Expected.S cv.Expected.S
1 Total 1.977273 0.08496549 0.04297105
2 Total 1.977273 0.08496549 0.04297105
To find the variance components of encounter rate, detection function and group size, adopt the following (from online workshop lecture on precision, slide 32):
For detection probability: 0.075^2/0.1223^2=0.376
For encounter rate: 0.0922^2 /.1223^2 = 0.568
For group size: 0.04297^2/.1223^2 = 0.123
That should give you the first order of approximation regarding sources of uncertainty in your density estimates.
Double check your calculations to see if you are looking at density of groups or density of individuals as a possible source of confusion in your calculations.