================================================================================
  README — POINT COUNT MULTI-SPECIES SAMPLE DATA
  For the Point Count Density Estimation Calculator
  Stats Unlock · statsunlock.com
================================================================================

FILE
----
multi-species-point-count-sample.csv


WHAT IS THIS DATA?
------------------
This is a simulated dataset of radial detection distances from a point count
distance-sampling survey in a temperate USA hardwood forest. Five sympatric
bird species were surveyed at the same array of point-count stations. Each
column represents one species; each row is one detected bird (or detected
group). All distances are measured in METERS from the observer at the point.

Use this dataset to test the multi-species point-count workflow of the
tool. Each species has a different effective detection radius (EDR), which
reflects real-world differences in song carrying distance, body size, and
visibility.


SPECIES COVERED (5 columns)
---------------------------
  Column 1 | Red-eyed Vireo          | Canopy singer, mixed deciduous
  Column 2 | American Robin          | Open-understory ground / shrub
  Column 3 | Black-capped Chickadee  | Forest canopy, smaller body
  Column 4 | Ovenbird                | Forest-floor walker, loud song
  Column 5 | Wood Thrush             | Mid-story singer, long song

Each species has 50 detection distances, giving 250 total observations.


SURVEY CONTEXT (assumed parameters for the analysis)
----------------------------------------------------
  Number of point-count stations (k)  : 100
  Truncation radius (w)               : 75 m
  Detection function                  : Half-Normal  (or Auto-Select AIC)
  Density output unit                 : per hectare  (or per km² / per acre)
  Cluster size E(s)                   : 1.0   (single-bird detections)
  Confidence level                    : 95%

Note: in point count surveys, the typical survey effort is reported as the
total number of count stations (k), often combined with a 5- or 10-minute
count duration at each station. Distance is the radial distance from the
station to each detected bird.


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HOW TO USE THIS DATA WITH THE TOOL
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STEP 1 — OPEN THE TOOL
----------------------
Open "point-count-density-estimation.html" in your web browser
(Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari). No installation required.


STEP 2 — UPLOAD THE CSV
-----------------------
  1. Click the "📁 Upload CSV / Excel" tab.
  2. Click "Choose File" and select multi-species-point-count-sample.csv.
  3. The tool auto-detects the 5 column headers and 50 rows of numeric data.


STEP 3 — CHOOSE SURVEY MODE
---------------------------
After upload, the "Survey Mode for Upload" toggle appears.

Click "🦌🦊🐻 Multi-Species (multiple columns)" to enable multi-column
selection.


STEP 4 — SELECT COLUMNS (SPECIES)
---------------------------------
Click each species column you want to analyze.
Selected columns turn GREEN. Click again to deselect.

You can pick any combination:
  - Just one species (e.g., only Ovenbird)
  - All 5 species
  - Any subset of interest

The preview table at the bottom highlights selected columns in green.


STEP 5 — APPLY THE SELECTION
----------------------------
Click "✓ Use Selected Columns" — the tool will:
  - Switch to multi-species mode
  - Create one species group per selected column
  - Name each group after its CSV header
  - Pre-fill each group's textarea with that column's distances


STEP 6 — CONFIGURE THE SURVEY
-----------------------------
Scroll to "⚙️ Survey Configuration" and enter:

   Study Area / Site Name        : e.g., "Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest"
   Number of Points (k)          : 100
   Truncation Radius (w, m)      : 75
   Detection Function            : Half-Normal   (or Auto-Select AIC)
   Density Output Unit           : per hectare   (or per km² for journals)
   Cluster Size                  : 1.0  (one bird per detection)
   Confidence Level              : 95%


STEP 7 — RUN THE ANALYSIS
-------------------------
Click "▶ Run Point Count Analysis".

The tool will calculate, for EACH species and for the COMMUNITY:

  • Effective Detection Radius (EDR)
  • Average detection probability (P_a) within the count circle
  • Bird density D̂  (with 95% confidence interval)
  • Standard error and coefficient of variation
  • Detection rate (n/k = detections per station)
  • Community-level totals (sum of D̂ across species)
  • Shannon diversity H' and Pielou evenness J' from density proportions
  • Dominant species (Berger-Parker)
  • AIC ranking (if auto-select was used)


STEP 8 — EXPLORE THE RESULTS
----------------------------
Review:

  📊 Summary Cards            : headline density + sample size + EDR + P_a
  📋 Detailed Results Table   : every species, every parameter
  📈 Multi-Species Panel      : community-level metrics + per-species
                                density table sorted by D̂ (rank 1–5)
  📊 Four Visualizations      : click any chart to download as 16:9 PNG
                                (publication-ready, 2560 × 1440 px)
  🧭 Detailed Interpretation  : 5-paragraph plain-language interpretation
  ✍️ How to Write Your Results: 5 ready-to-copy reporting templates
                                (journal, thesis, policy brief, conference,
                                LTER monitoring report)
  🪧 Research Poster Panel    : full poster sections auto-filled
  🎯 Detailed Conclusion      : 4-section conclusion with management
                                implications


STEP 9 — EXPORT THE REPORT
--------------------------
Two buttons at the bottom of the Results section:

  📋 Download Doc  → plain-text .txt report
  🖨️ Download PDF → opens print dialog, save as PDF

Each of the 4 charts can also be downloaded individually as a
publication-quality PNG (just click the chart).


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WHAT YOU WILL SEE (EXPECTED RESULTS)
================================================================================
With the recommended settings (k=100, w=75m, half-normal, per ha, E(s)=1.0),
the analysis will yield approximate density estimates similar to:

  Species                  n    EDR (m)   P_a      Density D̂ (per ha)
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
  Red-eyed Vireo           50   ~28       ~0.14    ~7
  American Robin           50   ~30       ~0.16    ~6
  Black-capped Chickadee   50   ~22       ~0.09    ~11
  Ovenbird                 50   ~32       ~0.18    ~5
  Wood Thrush              50   ~31       ~0.17    ~5
  --------------------------------------------------------------------
  COMMUNITY TOTAL          250                     ~34 birds/ha

Exact values will vary slightly depending on chosen detection function and
truncation radius.


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KEY DIFFERENCES FROM LINE TRANSECT SAMPLING
================================================================================

If you've used the Line Transect Density Estimation Calculator before, note
the following differences for point counts:

  Aspect              Line Transect          Point Count
  --------------------------------------------------------------
  Survey effort       Length L (km)          Number of points k
  Geometry            Strip 2·w·L            Circle π·w² per point
  Distance measured   Perpendicular (x)      Radial (r)
  Density formula     D̂ = n / (2·w·L·Pa)    D̂ = n / (k·π·w²·Pa)
  EDR definition      EDR = w × Pa           EDR = w × √Pa
  Best for            Mobile transects,      Birds, stationary
                      large mammals          species, fixed points
  Detection function  g(x) along distance    g(r) radially

Both methods rely on the same core assumptions:
  (1) g(0) = 1 (perfect detection at the observer)
  (2) Animals do not move in response to the observer before detection
  (3) Distances are measured accurately


================================================================================
NOTES ON THE DATA
================================================================================

• Distances are simulated to illustrate REALISTIC ecological variation in
  detectability across species — not from a single real survey.

• Each species' radial-distance distribution was designed so its fitted
  detection function reflects field detectability:
    - Chickadees: tight cluster at short range (small body, quiet song)
    - Vireos, Thrushes: moderate range (canopy/mid-story singers)
    - Robins, Ovenbirds: similar range but different habitat positions

• Use this dataset to test all tool features:
    - Multi-species community density calculation
    - Per-species detection function fitting
    - AIC model selection across 8 detection functions
    - Chart export (4 PNGs at 16:9, publication-ready)
    - Full report PDF and DOC export
    - Research poster auto-fill


================================================================================
TROUBLESHOOTING
================================================================================

Q: The mode toggle didn't appear after I uploaded the CSV.
A: Make sure your browser supports modern JavaScript. Refresh and re-upload.

Q: My columns are highlighted blue instead of green.
A: You're in Single-Species upload mode. Click "🦌🦊🐻 Multi-Species" first.

Q: I get a "need at least 5 detections" error for one species.
A: Some values were truncated. Try a larger w (e.g., 100 m) or pick different
   species columns.

Q: The downloaded PNG has cut-off labels.
A: Run the analysis once, then click the chart. The export uses a fresh
   high-resolution render — make sure JavaScript is enabled and the chart
   has loaded before clicking.


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CITATION
================================================================================

If you use this tool or this sample dataset in a publication or report,
please cite:

   Stats Unlock. (2026). Point Count Density Estimation Calculator.
   https://statsunlock.com

And the foundational distance sampling references:

   Reynolds, R. T., Scott, J. M., & Nussbaum, R. A. (1980). A variable
   circular-plot method for estimating bird numbers. The Condor, 82(3),
   309–313.

   Buckland, S. T., Anderson, D. R., Burnham, K. P., Laake, J. L.,
   Borchers, D. L., & Thomas, L. (2001). Introduction to Distance
   Sampling. Oxford University Press.


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SUPPORT
================================================================================

Tool documentation, additional sample datasets, and other free ecology /
wildlife / statistics calculators are available at:

   https://statsunlock.com

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                          End of README
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