“Updated Escapement Estimate Type Classification Guidance”
Abstract
This technical report documents updated NuSEDS/New SEDS escapement estimate Type (1–6) classification guidance intended for biologists who upload escapement data and require consistent, transparent interpretation of estimate quality. The update addresses observed operational complications not encoded by table-only guidance (e.g., incomplete run-window coverage, device/site outages, breach/bypass at counting sites, variable visibility, and incomplete documentation). The guidance aligns to Hyatt (1997) by explicitly linking method properties, statistical properties, and documentation in a property-first decision sequence. It separates enumeration (field) methods from estimation (analysis) methods, defines method families, and records explicit qualifier codes for conservative downgrades related to timing, coverage, visibility, documentation, and (where available) quantified uncertainty (e.g., CV/SE). The report recommends additional metadata elements for New SEDS/NuSEDS to make Type assignment interpretable to downstream users and notes that the guidance is implemented in companion software (SMN Escapement Estimates Toolkit; R Shiny application) (NuSEDS Escapement Estimates Toolkit Working Group 2026).
Overview
This report documents the updated NuSEDS escapement estimate Type (1–6) classification guidance and the property-first decision key used to assign types consistently.