Lecture 05 – January 22, 2024 Field Methods III Flashcards
Harvest rate –
the proportion of a population that is harvested every year
Describe how habitat maps are generated, particularly with respect to composition and persistence.
Habitat maps are generated using a combination of aerial or satellite imagery and ground-truthed data, which is then re-examined periodically, such as every ten years. The composition of habitat maps includes the types and proportions of different habitat elements present in the area. Persistence refers to the stability or changes in these habitat elements over time. These aspects help in understanding the quantity, quality, and distribution of food or cover-types available to wildlife in the area.
Describe the National Forest Inventory and what data are collected.
The National Forest Inventory is Canada’s most comprehensive collection of habitat data, based on both aerial (or satellite) imagery and ground-truthed data. Each plot is re-examined every ten years, and the inventory includes re-photographed areas and ground plots for detailed data in about 10% of the plots. This information is valuable for wildlife monitoring, forestry management, and reporting on climate change commitments.
Explain how total harvest is measured, being able to elaborate on mail surveys, check stations, mandatory reporting, and voluntary (band recovery) reporting.
Total harvest is measured using various methods:
Mail Surveys: Hunters are asked what they harvested.
Check Stations: Data on age, sex, and location are collected from hunters at key locations.
Mandatory Reporting: Hunters must report their harvest online or through report cards.
Voluntary Reporting (Band Recovery): Hunters report recovered bands from birds, providing data on age and movements.
Each method helps wildlife managers understand the harvest rate of species and manage populations effectively.
Describe what information is collected with harvest survey, parts surveys, and mandatory reporting surveys.
The information collected with harvest surveys typically includes the number of animals taken, species, and the dates of the harvest. Parts surveys may ask hunters to return certain parts of the animal, such as a wing or a tail, which can help determine the age, sex, and species composition of the harvest. Mandatory reporting surveys require hunters to provide details of their hunt, including whether they harvested an animal, what type, and the location of the hunt. These methods collectively provide wildlife managers with comprehensive data on the harvest rates and demographic structures of hunted populations.
Use data from part surveys to estimate harvest size and age composition.
ChatGPT
To use data from parts surveys to estimate harvest size and age composition, you would analyze the collected biological samples such as wings or teeth, which can indicate the age of the animal when harvested. By knowing the proportion of the samples from different age classes and the total number of parts collected, you can estimate the age structure of the total harvest. This data can then be extrapolated to estimate the age composition of the population being harvested. The specific methods for estimation would depend on the species in question and the type of biological samples collected.
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To estimate harvest size and age composition from parts surveys, data like the number and type of birds shot and the date collected are used. Hunters may be asked to return parts such as a wing or tail, which can be analyzed to determine age, sex, and species composition. This information is used alongside the total number of parts collected to estimate the overall harvest and its demographic structure. For example, if a survey indicates a certain percentage of the birds harvested are juveniles, this ratio can be compared to reproductive rates to make projections about population growth.
Use data from check stations to estimate harvest size and age composition.
Data from wildlife check stations, where hunters may be required to report or voluntarily participate, can be used to estimate harvest size and age composition. By collecting information such as the number of animals harvested, their age (often determined by tooth wear or other physical characteristics), sex, and the location of the harvest, biologists can extrapolate to estimate the total harvest size and its demographic makeup across a wider area. This extrapolation is typically done using statistical models that account for the proportion of hunters checked and the overall number of licenses issued.
Explain what data are recorded with leg bands and describe how those data can be used.
Leg bands are used to collect data on migratory birds. Each band has a unique code that, when recovered, provides information on the species, age, sex, location, and date of banding. This data is invaluable for tracking bird movements, determining survival rates, and understanding migration patterns. Recovered band data can help estimate harvest rates by comparing the number of banded and recovered birds across different regions.
Calculate and compare harvest rates.
