Background/Question/Methods Line-transect surveys, combined with distance sampling methods, are often used to estimate density of wildlife populations, whereas capture–recapture methods are used to estimate demographic parameters that drive population dynamics. Recently, open population spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models have been developed, which simultaneously estimate density and demographic parameters, but have been made available only for data collected from a fixed array of detectors and have not incorporated the effects of dynamic habitat covariates. We developed a SCR model that can be applied to line-transect survey data by modeling detection probability in a manner analogous to distance sampling. We extend this model to estimate demographic (or phenological) parameters using an open population framework and to model variation in density and space use as a function of habitat covariates. The model is applied to aerial survey data for North Atlantic right whales in the southeastern United States, illustrating the ability to integrate data from multiple survey platforms and accommodate differences between strata or groups. Results/Conclusions Estimates show that right whale migration to and from the study area is staggered, with peak abundance in February and calving females having the longest residency. Right whale density and space use probabilities were highest for areas characterized by intermediate sea surface temperature, wind speed, and depth. By connecting line-transect survey data with individual identifications and habitat data, our model can make simultaneous inference on ecological factors that influence spatial and temporal variation in density, movement, and population dynamics.
