University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Testing methods to estimate abundance of Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 22:35 authored by Cecilia VillanuevaCecilia Villanueva, Bertellotti, M
Capsule Using simulations in a geographical information system our results showed that systematic sampling with quadrats was the most accurate, precise and cost-effective method to survey Magellanic Penguin colonies.

Aims To determine which sampling method gives better estimations of penguin abundance.

Methods A virtual colony was generated deriving spatial parameters from a real survey and applying Kriging interpolation. Three sampling methods were then applied on this virtual colony: random sampling with quadrats; systematic sampling with quadrats; systematic sampling with fixed-width transects. The estimated abundance for each trial was compared to the abundance of the virtual colony to have a measure of accuracy and precision.

Results Systematic sampling with quadrats estimated penguin abundance better than random or systematic sampling with transects since it achieved 100% accuracy and great precision after sampling only 2.1% of the virtual colony.

Conclusion The use of a simulated colony allowed the comparison of several sampling methods traditionally used in Magellanic Penguin surveys. The results of this study are important in order to standardize sampling protocols for Magellanic Penguins and to have more comparable estimations to detect trends over time. Also, the methodological approach used here could be used to assess sampling methods for other colonial bird species.

History

Publication title

Bird Study

Volume

61

Pagination

421-427

ISSN

0006-3657

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

British Trust Ornithology

Place of publication

Nunnery, Nunnery Place, Thetford Norfolk, England, Ip24 2Pu

Rights statement

© 2014 British Trust for Ornithology

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC