Analysis of population monitoring data [Chapter 8]

Abstract

Monitoring is a system for detecting trends over a period of time in areas such as habitat, water, and more. Herein we focus on animal populations and evaluate common quantitative methods for monitoring wildlife species. Animal distribution, abundance, survival, and productivity are examples of important biological parameters that can show trends based on ecosystem condition. Although there are different monitoring types (Morrison and Marcot 1995), monitoring is at its best with targeted (or focused) monitoring (Nichols and Williams 2006), when specific goals and objectives are identified and evaluated under rigorous sampling designs. Herein we focus on targeted monitoring. The process of defining goals and objectives, sampling, evaluating population response, and directing further monitoring and/or management actions should be classified as scientific research (Morrison et al. 2008).

Citation

Sanderlin, Jamie S.; Morrison, Michael L.; Block, William M. 2019. Analysis of population monitoring data [Chapter 8]. In: Brennan, L.; Tri, A.; Marcot, B., eds. Quantitative Analyses in Wildlife Science. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press. p. 131-148.