Unravelling the effects of heterogeneity in space use on estimates of connectivity and population size: Insights from spatial capture-recapture modelling

Spatial Capture-Recapture (SCR) models using least-cost path distance offer an unified framework to estimate landscape connectivity and population size from individual detection data, while accounting for individual and spatial heterogeneity in space use. In our case study on the Pyrenean brown bear population, two “outliers” individuals were detected more often over very large spatial extent compared to other individuals. The integration of such individuals made SCR modelling challenging, especially since it remains unclear how unmodelled heterogeneity in space use may bias connectivity and population size estimates. To address this gap, we used simulations reflecting the Pyrenean brown bear population, with two groups of individuals differing in their space use due to individual characteristics but also in their spatial responses to landscape structure. We compared six SCR model formulations that varied in whether individual and spatial heterogeneity in space use were (1) ignored, (2) explicitly modelled, or (3) handled by removing outliers. We then applied the same models to the empirical bear dataset.

By combining simulations and sensitivity analyses, we highlight the challenges of choosing the appropriate modelling approach when multiple sources of heterogeneity in space use occur simultaneously. Our results show that the treatment of heterogeneity in space use should match the research objective: removing outliers supports accurate population size estimation, while explicitly modelling heterogeneity is essential for reliable connectivity assessment. Overall, we provide a practical framework for identifying and addressing heterogeneity in SCR applications, to guide practitioners in deciding when additional model complexity is warranted.