Distance (version 1.0.9)

convert_units: Convert units for abundance estimation

Description

It is often the case that effort, distances and prediction area are collected in different units in the field. Functions in Distance allow for an argument to convert between these and provide an answer that makes sense. This function calculates that conversion factor, given knowledge of the units of the quantities used.

Usage

convert_units(distance_units, effort_units, area_units)

Arguments

distance_units

units distances were measured in.

effort_units

units that effort were measured in. Set as NULL for point transects.

area_units

units for the prediction area.

Author

David L Miller

Details

convert_units expects particular names for its inputs -- these should be singular names of the unit (e.g., "metre" rather than "metres"). You can view possible options with units_table. Both UK and US spellings are acceptable, case does not matter. For density estimation, area must still be provided ("objects per square ???"). Note that for cue counts (or other multiplier-based methods) one will still have to ensure that the rates are in the correct units for the survey.

Examples

# distances measured in metres, effort in kilometres and
# abundance over an area measured in hectares:
convert_units("Metre", "Kilometre", "Hectare")

# all SI units, so the result is 1
convert_units("Metre", "metre", "square metre")

# for points ignore effort
convert_units("Metre", NULL, "Hectare")