Thorn et al 2010.pdf (195.5 kB)
Comparative efficacy of spoor surveys, spotlighting and audio playbacks in a landscape-scale carnivore survey
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 04:52 authored by Thorn, M, Green, M, Bateman, PW, Elissa Cameron, Yarnell, RW, Scott, DMMany carnivores are difficult and labour-intensive to detect, often leading to prohibitively high effort and cost in large-scale surveys. However, such studies provide Information that is Important for effective management and conservation. Here, we evaluate the suitability of three survey methods for landscape-scale multi-species monitoring. We compare sign surveys, spotlighting, and audio playbacks in terms of detection efficiency, precision, effort, and cost. Sign surveys out-performed the other methods in all comparison criteria, although supplementary methods were needed for some species and sites. We found that using established analysis techniques, robust landscape-scale abundance estimates would require unrealistically high effort and cost. Occupancy estimation required considerably lower sample sizes and was therefore more economical. We conclude that sign-based occupancy estimates constitute a versatile and efficient option for future large-scale, multi-species carnivore surveys.
History
Publication title
South African Journal of Wildlife ResearchVolume
40Pagination
77-86ISSN
0379-4369Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Southern African Wildlife Management AssocPlace of publication
P O Box 217, Bloubergstrand, South Africa, 7437Rights statement
Copyright © 2010 Southern African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA)Repository Status
- Restricted