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1 December 2009 Internal Validation of Predictive Logistic Regression Models for Decision-Making in Wildlife Management
Justin A. Gude, Michael S. Mitchell, David E. Ausband, Carolyn A. Sime, Edward E. Bangs
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Abstract

Predictive logistic regression models are commonly used to make informed decisions related to wildlife management and conservation, such as predicting favourable wildlife habitat for land conservation objectives and predicting vital rates for use in population models. Frequently, models are developed for use in the same population from which sample data were obtained, and thus, they are intended for internal use within the same population. Before predictions from logistic regression models are used to make management decisions, predictive ability should be validated. We describe a process for conducting an internal model validation, and we illustrate the process of internal validation using logistic regression models for predicting the number of successfully breeding wolf packs in six areas in the US northern Rocky Mountains. We start by defining the major components of accuracy for binary predictions as calibration and discrimination, and we describe methods for quantifying the calibration and discrimination abilities of a logistic regression model. We also describe methods for correcting problems of calibration and future predictive accuracy in a logistic regression model. We then show how bootstrap simulations can be used to obtain unbiased estimates of prediction accuracy when models are calibrated and evaluated within the same population from which they were developed. We also show how bootstrapping can be used to assess coverage rates and recalibrate the endpoints of confidence intervals for predictions from a logistic regression model, to achieve nominal coverage rates. Using the data on successfully breeding wolf packs in the northern Rocky Mountains, we validate that predictions from a model developed with data specific to each of six analysis areas are better calibrated to each population than a global model developed using all data simultaneously. We then use shrinkage of model coefficients to improve calibration and future predictive accuracy for the area-specific model, and recalibrate confidence interval endpoints to provide better coverage properties. Following this validation, managers can be confident that logistic regression predictions will be reliable in this situation, and thus that management decisions will be based on accurate predictions.

© Wildlife Biology, NKV www.wildlifebiology.com
Justin A. Gude, Michael S. Mitchell, David E. Ausband, Carolyn A. Sime, and Edward E. Bangs "Internal Validation of Predictive Logistic Regression Models for Decision-Making in Wildlife Management," Wildlife Biology 15(4), 352-369, (1 December 2009). https://doi.org/10.2981/08-057
Received: 11 August 2008; Accepted: 1 July 2009; Published: 1 December 2009
KEYWORDS
calibration
Canis lupus
confidence interval coverage
decision-making
discrimination
internal validation
logistic regression
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