In this map, I compared two home-range estimation methods; Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Characteristic Hull Polygon (CHP). While KDE is a commonly used method, it is often used without critical evaluation, and may consequently provide invalid or biased results. CHP is a lesser known method of analysis, but has been demonstrated to provide less biased estimates than other methods (Downs and Horner, 2009). CHP's are created through Delaunay Triangulation of location points. Similar to KDE, CHP's can estimate general (95%) and core (50%) ranges.

I applied both methods to home range data for one American Mink (Neovison vison). This data was downloaded from Movebank.org and was sourced from Ahlers (2015).

References:

Ahlers, A. A. (2015). Habitat selection, survival, and disease risk of semiaquatic mammals in a highly altered landscape (Doctoral dissertation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).

Downs, J. A., & Horner, M. W. (2009). A characteristic‐hull based method for home range estimation. Transactions in GIS, 13(5‐6), 527-537.