Assessing patterns of concentrated and diffuse use of an animal's home range is an important component of understanding ecological and behavioral processes. We present the Area Independent Method (AIM), a graphical and quantiative technique for identifying the pattern of home range use (i.e., clumped or even) and for distinguishing between heavily and lightly used parts of an individual's home range when clumping is present. This technique does not require that the data have any specified statistical distribution. The results of the AIM are compared with those from Samuel et al. (1985) when both methods are applied to radio-telemetry locations of 18 black bears (Ursus americanus). Total home range size has a lesser effect on the size of the core area identified by the AIM than by Samuel et al.'s (1985) method. Both methods result in core area usage that is little affected by total home range size. This technique provides an objective method for comparing areas of concentrated and peripheral use among individuals.
- Volume 8
- Issue
- Pages 243-249
- Publication Date 1 January 1990
- DOI 10.2307/3872925
- File Size 437.92 KB
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