Research Methods: Specialist Techniques Used In Ecological Research Flashcards
What is different about these specialist method/techniques of monitoring ?
Methods that have been developed relatively recently often using electronic equipment
How is imagery being used as a research method?
A rapidly expanding imagery system is available to collect environmental information
What are image databases?
This is when through a collection of images some species are able to be identified by their unique features
What are some ways databases can be used to identify animals?
Tiger facial stripes
Cheetah tail markings
Whale shark spot patterns
Dolphin fin marks and injuries
Zebra stripes
What can being able to identify individuals provide information on?
Territory size
Population movements (migrations)
Lifespans
Social groupings
What are he limitations of image databases?
Few species have unique features that can be used to identify individual animals
What are motion sensitive cameras?
These can be used for habitat monitoring to detect the presence or activity of animals using visible light photography during the day or infrared technology at night
What is closed circuit TV (CCTV)?
CCTV cameras can be used to observe animals behaviour with a lower risk of disturbance than if researchers visit the site
What is MARKING?
This is a range of methods that are used to identify individuals that have been previously caught
What are some examples of MARKING?
Rings placed on birds’ legs provides information on movements lifespan if they are caught later
What are DNA databases?
A DNA profile can be used to identify individuals, gene pools and other genetic relationships
How can some aquatic species be detected?
The DNA of the cells they shed into water this is called environmental DNA
What is another name for environmental DNA?
eDNA
What is an example of how eDNA is used in the UK?
eDNA evidence of the presence of the legally protected Great Crested Newt may prevent a development being permitted in the Uk that would damage that habitat
How can you identify regional populations? (DNA)
Each separate population within a species has its own unique gene pool, this means it may be possible to identify where a plant or animal came from compared with a DNA database.
What is an example of the identifying regional population technology? (Tracking)
Being developed to track sources of tropical timber, elephant ivory and some commercially fished species (Cod and Haddock).
When would you use Auditory monitoring?
When a species cannot be seen but can be detected by the sounds they produce