focal animal sampling

Knowledge graph centered on focal animal sampling with 71 nodes and 250 connections. Top connected: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic, Scarlet Gilia, Slender-tube Skyrocket, Barbey's Larkspur.

Method synopsis

Standardized pellet count method for estimating deer density using systematic transect surveys with random placement. Identifies scat to species level where possible to distinguish herbivore types using a habitat.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 7 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Coyotes, deer, and wildflowers: diverse evidence points to a trophic cascade (2014), Naturwissenschaften. The protocol was originally introduced by The Landscape of Fear and Trophic Cascades: Does Human Presence at RMBL Affect Deer Behavior? (2010). Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Map marmot colony locations and record coyote sightings
   During morning (0700-1000 hours) and afternoon (1600-1900 hours) observations over nine summers, observers recorded any coyote predators seen at yellow-bellied marmot colonies in the East River valley. Sightings were mapped to obtain estimates of diurnal coyote activity in the vicinity of marmot colonies at varying distances from the RMBL townsite.
   Quantities: 178 coyote scats mapped along trails over multiple summers, sightings recorded at colonies ranging from 500m to >3500m from townsiteDuration: Morning and afternoon observation periods over nine summers between 2002-2010Conditions: Summer field seasons, morning and afternoon hours
   Equipment: GPS unit, binoculars
2. Conduct standardized deer surveys
   In 2010, researchers chose six points inside and outside the Gothic townsite that afforded clear view of nearby meadows and mapped the perimeter of the viewshed visible from each point. Deer were surveyed for approximately 1.5 h near dawn (0500-0700 hours) and 1.5 h near dusk (1900-2100 hours) once per week over 6 weeks in June and July. During each survey period, viewsheds were scanned every 10 min for 1 min and the number of deer present recorded. In 2011, two standard routes along trails were walked once per week over 6 weeks, scanning for deer continually while walking each route at a consistent speed, with timed stops at 24 specified points for 360° scans lasting 1 min each.
   Quantities: 6 viewshed points in 2010, 2 walking routes with 24 scan points in 2011, 1.5 hour observation periods twice daily, weekly surveys for 6 weeks

Typical Equipment

• measuring tape
• random number generator
• compass
• camera
• field identification guides

Output Measurements

• pellet pile counts by species
• herbivore density estimates

Papers Using This Protocol (7)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used