WALLACE RESOURCE LIBRARY WALLACE RESOURCE LIBRARY Lecture 04 – Terrestrial Lecture 04 – Terrestrial Survey Techniques in Guyana Survey Techniques in Guyana This is an ‘example’ of a lecture that is given to A level students as part of their academic lecture series whilst on their expedition. It has been produced for the exclusive use of the lecturer conducting the series and is solely intended for educational purposes. Most of the material comes from Operation Wallacea sources and any other material that has been used has been credited (as far as is possible) to the appropriate author wherever possible. This lecture is only to be used for EDUCATIONAL purposes.
WALLACE RESOURCE LIBRARY Lecture 04 – Terrestrial Survey Techniques in Guyana. This is an ‘example’ of a lecture that is given to A level students as part of their academic lecture series whilst on their expedition. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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This is an ‘example’ of a lecture that is given to A level students as part of their academic lecture series whilst on their expedition.It has been produced for the exclusive use of the lecturer conducting the series and is solely intended for educational purposes.Most of the material comes from Operation Wallacea sources and any other material that has been used has been credited (as far as is possible) to the appropriate author wherever possible.
This lecture is only to be used for EDUCATIONAL purposes.
• What is a data point? – an item of factual information derived from
measurement or research
• So how do we know what the sample size actually is?
• Are the sample locations random?
Spatial artefacts in comparison studiesSpatial artefacts in comparison studies
• Comparisons of different treatments must be conducted across the same habitat.
• Sample sites should be placed in a suitable place (i.e. not too close to one-another), and a good distance from different treatments.– The distance depends on the home range of the
study species. Larger animals often have larger home ranges.
– Animals that fly have large home ranges to.
Control sitesControl sites
• Control sites are used to validate that changes can be attributed to the treatment.
• Control vs. pseudo-control.– Burned vs unburned = Unburned is Pseudo-
control, burned is treatment.
– Before burning = Treatment 1.– After burning = Treatment 2.– Need control – to ‘control’ for other factors.
Data analysisData analysis
• Has the researcher indicated what kind of data-analysis they will use?
• Statistics?• The best studies will have thought about the
analysis before the study design – reverse planning.
Discussion/Activity 2 -Quiz time!
• Using the bird identification pictures classify the birds into the most appropriate survey method for them:
– Line transect– Point count– Mist netting
Which sampling method?
IUCN category – LCThis species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable. Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable. The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable.For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. Voice – Flight call a loud rasping screech, loudest and often with a stuttering effect at the end “g’RAA’A’AH!” Habitat/behaviour – Typically found in low lying forest, including varzea, swamp forest and palm swamps. Occasionally seen flying high over cleared areas and major rivers. Usually found in small flocks, but occasionally in large groups
Blue and yellow macaw Ara ararauna
Which sampling method?Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin
IUCN category – LCThis species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion. The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable. The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. Voice – Common calls include hoarse coughing and grunting sounds, also loud hisses. Habitat/behaviour – Always found over water, usually encountered perched low over still or slow moving water such as oxbow lakes or sluggish rivers.
Which sampling method?• IUCN category – LC• This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not
approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
• Voice – The great egret gives a variety of calls, including a low-pitched ‘kraak’ call that is given in flight, when disturbed, and as a threat call
• Habitat/behaviour – inland and coastal waterways
Great Egret Casmerodius
albus
Which sampling method?• IUCN category - LC• This species has an extremely large range, and
hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion. Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion.The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
• Voice – At dawn deep booming notes, first 3 rising last 2 an even pitch – often followed by sharp ‘BMM’
• Habitat/behaviour – forest floor.
Razor-billed curassowMitu tuberosum
Which sampling method?• IUCN category – LC• This species has an extremely large range, and
hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion .The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion. The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
• Voice – Song bouts include variable high metallic sounds and deep buzzes, but a characteristic sound is a series of quiet, descending notes followed by a loud, descending thin whistle that ends with a loud buzz “tsew tsew-tchew SEEEEEEEE’ BZZANG”
• Habitat/behaviour –
Golden-headed manakinPipra erythrocephala
Which sampling method?
IUCN category – LCThis species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion. Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion. The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.Voice – Habitat/behaviour –
Black-collared hawkBusarellus nigricollis
Which sampling method?• IUCN category – NT• This species is classified as Near Threatened
because it is suspected to be declining moderately rapidly owing to hunting and habitat loss.
• • Voice – Call a long, descending, mewing
whistle, lower pitched than other large raptors “HEEleww”
• • Habitat/behaviour – Rare in humid forest of
eastern lowlands. Rarely soars. Hunts within vegetation, waits from perch in canopy or subcanopy, then weaves through foliage to capture large mammal prey or to move to new perch. Large and bulky eagle.
Harpy EagleHarpia harpyja
Which sampling method?IUCN category – EN A2cd + 4cdThis species qualifies as Endangered because it has been affected by very rapid rates of population decline caused by trapping for the cagebird trade, plus habitat loss. Future population declines are projected to be slower, but still a serious cause for concern. Voice – Flight calls include a low rolling “jurt” as well as a series of scratchy calls; also conversational vocalizations including calls given between members of a pair. Habitat/behaviour – Usually seen in pairs and small flocks. Feeds on flowers and seeds of large trees. Orange under wing coverts are prominent in flight.
Grey Cheeked ParakeetBrotogeris pyrrhoptera
2. Ecological census techniques2. Ecological census techniques 2. Ecological census techniques2. Ecological census techniques
Part 2: Bird sampling challenge
Before conducting a bird survey you need to clarify why you are doing the study,
e.g.
• To investigate the total number of bird species in a given area and the relative abundance of each
• To monitor changes in bird abundance and diversity over time
• To use birds as indicators of ecosystem changes
FOR THIS EXERCISE – you are going to choose the best method to find out the abundancy and
distribution of a specific species.
Which SURVEY method would you use?
Part 2: Bird sampling challenge
• Biodiversity management needs an accurate, precise and unbiased assessment of the numbers of birds of a particular species.
• To get these figures the correct and most suitable sampling method/technique needs to be chosen.
• In this challenge you are going to choose the most suitable sampling method for 6 different birds that you find locally.
• You are given the choice of using ONE of three possible methods for each bird (you should see some of these techniques in action during your week here).
Part 2: Bird sampling challenge
Instructions:1.In a few moments get into groups of 3 people.2.Read the THREE sheets on the different techniques you might use to find out how many birds of each species there are – take ONE card each.3.Then explain your technique to the other members of your group.4.Now take TWO bird info. cards each – read them very carefully and decide on which technique would suit that bird the best – there may not be a correct answer and it could be open to discussion!5.Fill in the answer sheet with the rest of your group.6.There is also a summary table comparing the techniques which you will find useful.