Download or read book Using Noninvasive Genetic Sampling Methods to Estimate Demographic and Genetic Parameters for Large Carnivore Populations in the Rocky Mountains written by Michael Allen Sawaya and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 364 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Healthy carnivore populations are important to maintaining ecosystem balance, but many species are declining globally at disturbing rates due to anthropogenic causes. To effectively manage and conserve carnivores, wildlife managers must be able to obtain reliable estimates of population parameters. Noninvasive genetic sampling (NGS) methods such as hair or scat collection offer new and exciting alternatives to traditional carnivore research methods involving capture, drugging, and handling of animals; however, the potential of NGS methods to answer applied ecological questions has not been fully realized. The main objective of my doctoral research was to develop and apply NGS methods to estimate demographic and genetic parameters for large carnivore populations in the Rocky Mountains. First, I evaluated two NGS methods, hair snares and snow tracking, for cougars (Puma concolor) in Yellowstone National Park. I developed a method to collect hair while following cougar tracks in snow to bed sites and natural hair snags (e.g. thorn bushes, branch tips) from which I demonstrated that samples collected using NGS can provide reliable information on cougar population abundance. Next, I compared the ability of two NGS methods, hair traps and bear rub surveys, to estimate population abundance and trend of grizzly (Ursus arctos) and black bears (U. americanus) in Banff National Park. I found that bear rubs performed better than hair traps for estimating grizzly bear abundance and population growth rates, whereas hair traps worked better than bear rubs for black bears. I then used NGS to examine demographic and genetic connectivity at wildlife crossing structures along the Trans-Canada Highway that bisects Banff National Park. I compared genetic data collected from the bear populations surrounding the highway to data collected at the crossing structures using a novel hair sampling system. This comparison allowed me to show that wildlife crossing structures provided demographic connectivity for bear populations and maintained sufficient gene flow across the highway to prevent genetic isolation. In short, I have demonstrated the power of using an array of NGS methods, alone or in combination, to estimate abundance, gene flow, genetic structure, migration, and population growth rates for large carnivores in the Rocky Mountains.
Download or read book Noninvasive Survey Methods for Carnivores written by Robert A. Long and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2012-09-26 with total page 399 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The status of many carnivore populations is of growing concern to scientists and conservationists, making the need for data pertaining to carnivore distribution, abundance, and habitat use ever more pressing. Recent developments in “noninvasive” research techniques—those that minimize disturbance to the animal being studied—have resulted in a greatly expanded toolbox for the wildlife practitioner. Presented in a straightforward and readable style, Noninvasive Survey Methods for Carnivores is a comprehensive guide for wildlife researchers who seek to conduct carnivore surveys using the most up-to-date scientific approaches. Twenty-five experts from throughout North America discuss strategies for implementing surveys across a broad range of habitats, providing input on survey design, sample collection, DNA and endocrine analyses, and data analysis. Photographs from the field, line drawings, and detailed case studies further illustrate on-the-ground application of the survey methods discussed. Coupled with cutting-edge laboratory and statistical techniques, which are also described in the book, noninvasive survey methods are effi cient and effective tools for sampling carnivore populations. Noninvasive Survey Methods for Carnivores allows practitioners to carefully evaluate a diversity of detection methods and to develop protocols specific to their survey objectives, study area, and species of interest. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in the study of carnivores, from scientists engaged in primary research to agencies or organizations requiring carnivore detection data to develop management or conservation plans.
Download or read book Sampling Rare or Elusive Species written by William Thompson and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2013-04-10 with total page 447 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Information regarding population status and abundance of rare species plays a key role in resource management decisions. Ideally, data should be collected using statistically sound sampling methods, but by their very nature, rare or elusive species pose a difficult sampling challenge. Sampling Rare or Elusive Species describes the latest sampling designs and survey methods for reliably estimating occupancy, abundance, and other population parameters of rare, elusive, or otherwise hard-to-detect plants and animals. It offers a mixture of theory and application, with actual examples from terrestrial, aquatic, and marine habitats around the world. Sampling Rare or Elusive Species is the first volume devoted entirely to this topic and provides natural resource professionals with a suite of innovative approaches to gathering population status and trend data. It represents an invaluable reference for natural resource professionals around the world, including fish and wildlife biologists, ecologists, biometricians, natural resource managers, and all others whose work or research involves rare or elusive species.
Download or read book Greater Yellowstone Public Lands written by Alice Wondrak Biel and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Spatial Capture Recapture written by J. Andrew Royle and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2013-08-27 with total page 609 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spatial Capture-Recapture provides a comprehensive how-to manual with detailed examples of spatial capture-recapture models based on current technology and knowledge. Spatial Capture-Recapture provides you with an extensive step-by-step analysis of many data sets using different software implementations. The authors' approach is practical – it embraces Bayesian and classical inference strategies to give the reader different options to get the job done. In addition, Spatial Capture-Recapture provides data sets, sample code and computing scripts in an R package. - Comprehensive reference on revolutionary new methods in ecology makes this the first and only book on the topic - Every methodological element has a detailed worked example with a code template, allowing you to learn by example - Includes an R package that contains all computer code and data sets on companion website
Download or read book Probabilistic Allele Calling to Improve Population Size Estimates from Non Invasive Genetic Mark Recapture Analysis written by and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Accurate estimates of population sizes are often necessary to help researchers better understand how wildlife populations are changing over time. Researchers often use traditional mark-recapture methods to estimate wildlife population sizes. A variety of models, with varying assumptions, are available to analyze traditional mark-recapture data. The utility of traditional mark-recapture methods is limited when sampling rare or elusive species. Capture probabilities may not be high enough due to the difficulties and cost of capturing the animals. In addition, physical capture can be stressful, even deadly, to the animals. The limitations of traditional mark-recapture methods can sometimes be addressed by utilizing non-invasive genetic mark-recapture methods. Using the non-invasive genetic method, individuals are not physically captured and tagged. Instead, non-invasive genetic samples, such as hair or scat, are collected and genotyped at multiple microsatellite markers. An individual's genotype serves as a DNA tag, uniquely identifying that individual. DNA is extracted from each sample and the extracted DNA is PCR amplified multiple times at several microsatellite loci. The results of each PCR amplification are visualized using capillary electrophoresis, resulting in an electropherogram. Alleles are called by interpreting the peak heights and/or peak areas on the electropherogram. While non-invasive genetic methods solve some of the problems of traditional mark-recapture, they also introduce some new problems. One major problem introduced by non-invasive genetic methods is the misidentification of individuals. The DNA from non-invasive samples is often low in quality and/or low in quantity, which increases the probability of genotyping errors. In addition, poor marker selection can result in individuals sharing a genotype. Traditional mark-recapture methods are not robust to violations of the assumption that individuals are correctly identified. Genotyping errors caus.
Download or read book Snow Leopards written by and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2023-10-12 with total page 704 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Snow Leopards, Second Edition provides a foundational, comprehensive overview of the biology, ecology and conservation of this iconic species. This updated edition incorporates all the recent information from range-wide surveys and conservation projects, the results of technical and advances particularly in genetics, camera trapping and satellite tracking, and evaluates emerging threats. New chapters synthesize the novel scientific methods and statistical analyses used to develop density and population estimates and how they inform conservation and management estimates. Sections cover historical information, the main biogeographic patterns, evolutionary trends, conservational efforts, and cultural significance. Status and distribution are fully updated for all 12 countries where snow leopards occur. Other sections describe established and emerging threats, including human-wildlife conflict, illegal trade, infrastructure development, and climate change along with conservation solutions used to address these threats. The book concludes with a final section on global snow leopard initiatives and future potentials. ? Offers a complete and thorough update on snow leopard ecology, conservation, research techniques and population trends, among other topic? Presents the results of the latest scientific research and conservation measures? Edited by recognized experts with contributions from 240 of the world's leading experts throughout the snow leopard's range
Download or read book Bears of the World written by Vincenzo Penteriani and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2020-11-30 with total page 500 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bears have fascinated people since ancient times. The relationship between bears and humans dates back thousands of years, during which time we have also competed with bears for shelter and food. In modern times, bears have come under pressure through encroachment on their habitats, climate change, and illegal trade in their body parts, including the Asian bile bear market. The IUCN lists six bears as vulnerable or endangered, and even the least concern species, such as the brown bear, are at risk of extirpation in certain countries. The poaching and international trade of these most threatened populations are prohibited, but still ongoing. Covering all bears species worldwide, this beautifully illustrated volume brings together the contributions of 200 international bear experts on the ecology, conservation status, and management of the Ursidae family. It reveals the fascinating long history of interactions between humans and bears and the threats affecting these charismatic species.
Download or read book Conservation Biology written by Scott P. Carroll and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2008-09-15 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The main goal of this book is to encourage and formalize the infusion of evolutionary thinking into mainstream conservation biology. It reviews the evolutionary foundations of conservation issues, and unifies conceptual and empirical advances in evolutionary conservation biology. The book can be used either as a primary textbook or as a supplementary reading in an advanced undergraduate or graduate level course - likely to be called Conservation Biology or in some cases Evolutionary Ecology. The focus of chapters is on current concepts in evolution as they pertain to conservation, and the empirical study of these concepts. The balanced treatment avoids exhaustive reviews and overlapping duplication among the chapters. Little background in genetics is assumed of the reader.
Download or read book Cooperative Breeding in Vertebrates written by Walter D. Koenig and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2016-01-07 with total page 403 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Brings together long-term studies of cooperation in vertebrates that challenge our understanding of the evolution of social behavior.
Download or read book Desert Puma written by Kenneth A. Logan and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2001-08-01 with total page 498 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Scientists and conservationists are beginning to understand the importance of top carnivores to the health and integrity of fully functioning ecosystems. As burgeoning human populations continue to impinge on natural landscapes, the need for understanding carnivore populations and how we affect them is becoming increasingly acute.Desert Puma represents one of the most detailed assessments ever produced of the biology and ecology of a top carnivore. The husband-and-wife team of Kenneth Logan and Linda Sweanor set forth extensive data gathered from their ten-year field study of pumas in the Chihuahua Desert of New Mexico, also drawing on other reliable scientific data gathered throughout the puma's geographic range. Chapters examine: the evolutionary and modern history of pumas, their taxonomy, and physical description a detailed description and history of the study area in the Chihuahua Desert field techniques that were used in the research puma population dynamics and life history strategies the implications of puma behavior and social organization the relationships of pumas and their preyThe authors provide important new information about both the biology of pumas and their evolutionary ecology -- not only what pumas do, but why they do it. Logan and Sweanor explain how an understanding of puma evolutionary ecology can, and must, inform long-term conservation strategies. They end the book with their ideas regarding strategies for puma management and conservation, along with a consideration of the future of pumas and humans. Desert Puma makes a significant and original contribution to the science not only of pumas in desert ecosystems but of the role of top predators in all environments. It is an essential contribution to the bookshelf of any wildlife biologist or conservationist involved in large-scale land management or wildlife management.
Download or read book Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Technical Guide written by Patricia N. Manley and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Monitoring protocols are presented for: landbirds; raptors; small, medium and large mammals; bats; terrestrial amphibians and reptiles; vertebrates in aquatic ecosystems; plant species, and habitats.
Download or read book The Wolves of Denali written by L. David Mech and published by U of Minnesota Press. This book was released on 2003-05-01 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For more than nine years the wolves in Alaska's Denali National Park were the subject of intense research by a group of renowned scientists led by L. David Mech. The result of their work is the most comprehensive study of a population of wolves and their prey ever available. This accessible, fascinating, and extensively illustrated book will appeal to researchers, general readers, and wolf enthusiasts across the world.
Download or read book Monitoring Tigers and Their Prey written by K. Ullas Karanth and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Contributed articles presented at a workshop.
Download or read book Methods For Monitoring Tiger And Prey Populations written by K. Ullas Karanth and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-10-26 with total page 325 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book addresses issues of monitoring populations of tigers, ungulate prey species and habitat occupancy, with relevance to similar assessments of large mammal species and general biodiversity. It covers issues of rigorous sampling, modeling, estimation and adaptive management of animal populations using cutting-edge tools, such as camera-traps, genetic identification and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), applied under the modern statistical approach of Bayesian and likelihood-based inference. Of special focus here are animal survey data derived for use under spatial capture-recapture, occupancy, distance sampling, mixture-modeling and connectivity analysees. Because tigers are an icons of global conservation, in last five decades,enormous amounts of commitment and resources have been invested by tiger range countries and the conservation community for saving wild tigers. However, status of the big cat remains precarious. Rigorous monitoring of surviving wild tiger populations continues to be essential for both understanding and recovering wild tigers. However, many tiger monitoring programs lack the necessary rigor to generate the reliable results. While the deployment of technologies, analyses, computing power and human-resource investments in tiger monitoring have greatly progressed in the last couple of decades, a full comprehension of their correct deployment has not kept pace in practice. In this volume, Dr. Ullas Karanth and Dr. James Nichols, world leaders in tiger biology and quantitative ecology, respectively, address this key challenge. The have collaborated with an extraordinary array of 30 scientists with expertise in a range of necessary disciplines - biology and ecology of tigers, prey and habitats; advanced statistical theory and practice; computation and programming; practical field-sampling methods that employ technologies as varied as camera traps, genetic analyses and geographic information systems. The book is a 'tour de force' of cutting-edge methodologies for assessing not just tigers but also other predators and their prey. The 14 chapters here are lucidly presented in a coherent sequence to provide tiger-specific answers to fundamental questions in animal population assessment: why monitor, what to monitor and how to monitor. While highlighting robust methods, the authors also clearly point out those that are in use, but unreliable. The managerial dimension of tiger conservation described here, the task of matching monitoring objectives with skills and resources to integrate tiger conservation under an adaptive framework, also renders this volume useful to wildlife scientists as well as conservationists.
Download or read book Large Carnivore Conservation in the Rocky Mountains written by Paul C. Paquet and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Ethiopian Wolf written by David Whyte Macdonald and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
