Abundance Estimation Using Minimum Order Set Distances in Line Transect Sampling

Line transect sampling is widely used for estimating population abundance, but existing nonparametric estimators of detection density at the transect line often suffer from boundary bias and tuning sensitivity. In this paper, we propose two simple tuning-light estimators based on minimum order statistics of perpendicular distances, requiring measurement of only the judged-closest object within each set. Under mild regularity conditions, the proposed estimators are consistent and asymptotically normal, with low bias and variance demonstrated through simulation studies under exponential and half-normal detection models. An application to a wooden stakes transect survey illustrates the practical advantages of the proposed approach for low-effort ecological surveys.