Occupancy analysis using “opportunistic data”

[Jacques Cousteau]

Hello all,

I am currently trying to figure out how to do the analysis for my master’s thesis. 

Last year, I set up baited camera traps in a small mountain range (89 sites) to detect presence of a small mammal species. Not all camera traps were active at the same time since the aim was to cover the largest area possible, cameras were moved shortly after the first detection (detections at 23 sites). 

Now, I would like to analyse the sampling data using occupancy models, using topography, land cover, season and weather as covariates for detection/occupancy. 

I understand that this is not the ideal setup but I like the idea of occupancy models and would also like to test if this method works for this sort of “opportunistic” data set. 

Does anyone have any advice on how to move forward with this or any similar cases I could look at? Any help and hint is appreciated:)

Cheers,

Jakob