Critical Research Techniques in Animal and Habitat Ecology: International Examples

Description

"This book covers selected topics on research methods in modern ecology, through the lens of 12 different chapters, focusing on animal ecology, landcover assessment and habitat change, human perspectives and management, and research techniques. Topics emphasize the development of enhanced computer software techniques and the syntheses of these into pre-existing research methods, chemical analyses, including studies of animal dietary and foraging patterns, landcover, habitat and plant ecological change and even human/animal relations, and genetic studies. Remote sensing and geographical information systems are considered as cutting-edge research methods, at small, medium and large-scale levels, including more accurate positioning systems, more sensitive tracking systems, the removal of obstacles to clearer observation and species identification, such as darkness and poor lighting, dense vegetation and coarse image resolution and more comparative studies across different local contexts and global ecosystems. The topics cover vulture ecology, the factors for the decline and management of Asian vultures, the use of tracking technologies including drones, in the study of urban vulture ecology, the use of thermal and infrared drones in the study of large mammalian carnivores, the role of remote sensing and GIS in the assessment of natural resource development, clustering around the central concept of change detection, the monitoring of agricultural development using socio-cultural parameters, the impacts of chemical pollution on raptors, the chemistry of vulture foraging, habitat dynamics for storks in Malaysia, Indian ecotourism in tiger habitats, and human-wildlife conflicts in Brazil. Other topics concern research on Bio-environmental Monitoring and Assessment using eDNA and Genome-based environmental monitoring, and the dynamics social perceptions of natural landscapes in Europe, and international examples of the Landscape Ecology of Urban Avian Scavengers. This book argues that these issues represent somecutting factors among the vast number of current ecological issues"-- Contents Introduction Preface Chapter 1 Urban Vulture Ecology, Tracking Technologies and Human Quality of Life Abstract Introduction Urban Turkey and Black Vulture Ecology Drone Research on Urban Vultures Limitations of Drone Research Conclusion References Chapter 2 Facts Around Vultures: An Attempt to Join the Puzzle Pieces Abstract Introduction Disease Symptom or Adaptation? NSAID Diclofenac Ban Impact: The Actual Story Think Globally, Act Locally Name Use Confusion Habitat Improvement Versus Captive Breeding Population Crash Population Estimation Extinction Prediction and Modelling Artificial Feeding: Boon or Bane ? References Chapter 3 Brown World of Vultures: A Case of Vulture Restaurant Abstract Introduction The Brown World: Trophic Sources for Vultures What Is There in the Name Supplementary Feeding Sites What Is the Need of VR VR: A Necessary Evil? How Safe Is VR from Competitors How Secured Is Carrion from Contaminants Mapping and Management of VR Management Requirements Management Guidelines VR Suitability Mapping VR Blueprint VR-Pixel Conclusion Review Methodology References Chapter 4 Environmental Chemistry and the Conservation Biology of Raptors and Waterbirds Abstract Introduction Chemical Elements Lead Toxicity and Research Methods Mercury and Research Methods Chromium and Research Methods Nickel Toxicity and Research Methods Cadmium Toxicity and Research Methods Copper Toxicity and Research Methods Selenium Toxicity and Research Methods Chemical Compounds DDT, DDE and other Pesticides Diclofenac Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) Conclusion References Chapter 5 Vulture Foraging and the Chemistry of Putrefaction Abstract Introduction Putrefaction Detection of Carrion Eating and Digestion of Putrid Meat Artificial Dangers in the Vulture Diet Advantages of Olfactory Capability Conclusion References Chapter 6 South and Northeast Brazil: Does a Shared Species Arise Shared Human Dimensions of Conflicts with Wildlife? Abstract Introduction Study Areas North-Eastern Plateau of Rio Grande Do Sul State - Southern Brazil Caatinga - Semiarid of Brazilian Northeast Methods Sampling, Characteristics, and Main Objectives Study with Pumas in South Brazil – Campos de Cima da Serra Study in Northeast Brazil - Boqueirão da Onça, Caatinga Social Science’s Approach How the Studies Were Compared and Analyzed Results Socio-Economic Respondents’ Profile Most Important Findings in Both Studies Data Comparison Discussion Conclusion and Recommendations Acknowledgments References Chapter 7 Conflicts with Pumas in Southern Brazil: The Farmers’ View Abstract Introduction Methods Study Area Data Collection and Analyses Results Interviewee’s Profile Characteristics of Puma’s Attacks on Farms Farmers’ Perceptions Farmers’ Knowledge Farmers’ Attitudes Discussion Acknowledgments References Appendix. Standard Questionnaire Prancha Ilustrativa Chapter 8 Reformation of African Elephant Ecology and Human Quality of Life through GIS and Remote Sensing Technologies: A Case of African Elephant Ecology in Botswana Abstract Introduction Elephant Populations Elephant Patterns Botswanian Climate Vegetation and Water Availability Seasonal Patterns GIS and RS Analysis Human-Elephant Conflict Shared Spaces Human Quality of Life Reformation Strategies African Elephant Exploitation Human-Elephant Disease Ecology Conclusion and Future Directions Acknowledgments References Chapter 9 Bio-Environmental Monitoring and Assessment of Species Using eDNA: An International Approach to Research and Future Possibilities Abstract Introduction The Utility of eDNA in Ecological Study Species Identification via Aged eDNA Sand sediment in South-West Greenland Coprolites from Oregon, USA Silty Ice from Greenland Cave Sediments from New Zealand and Permafrost Cores from Siberia Species Identification and Monitoring in Aquatic Environments via eDNA Freshwater from Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Poland, and Estonia Marine and Estuarine Sediments from England Detection and Monitoring of Invasive Species Via eDNA Freshwater Samples from Australia Freshwater Samples from France Freshwater Samples from USA (Chicago) Understanding Diet and Predation Patterns in Species via eDNA Fecal Samples from Pakistan Fecal Samples from Australia Air Analysis Using eDNA Air in the Netherlands Air in Northern and Central Italy Air Samples in Beijing Limitations pf the Use of eDNA Conclusion and Future Directions References Chapter 10 Wilding or Worrying? Place Meaning in a Rewilding Landscape Abstract Introduction The Problem of Public Acceptance Relevance: Rewilding Rife in Post-Brexit Restructuring? Conceptual Grounding Sense of Place and Place Attachment Place Meaning Landscape Change Rewilding Knepp Wildland Methodology Design Study Site Qualitative Questionnaire Data Collection and Limitations Theoretical Thematic Analysis Results Beauty Functionality Attachment Biodiversity Risk Emotions-in-Place Temporality Discussion Rewilding as a ‘Natural’ Landscape Changing Cultured Naturalness Conclusion References Appendix Study Site Map Qualitative Questionnaire Questions Poster Advertising Qualitative Questionnaire Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents Table of Results Chapter 11 Environment Effect on Milky Stork Habitat Selection in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Perak Abstract Introduction Methodology Study Area Sampling and Data Collection Parameter Determination Observation along the River Observation along the Road Trip Primary and Secondary Data Data Analysis Results and Discussion Density of Milky Stork Sightings Land Used Vegetation Food Availability Geographical Information System Analysis The Mapping of Population Distribution of Milky Stork The Mapping of Hotspot Area The Mapping of Population Density Conclusion References Chapter 12 The Landscape Ecology of Urban Avian Scavengers: An International Perspective Abstract Introduction Ecological Paradigms and Applications Applications to Conservation Biology and Landscape Ecology Urban Avian Ecology Case Studies Glasgow Case Study Ghana Case Study Canada Case Study Methodology Glasgow Case Study Ghana Case Study Ottawa Case study Results Glasgow Case Study Ghana Case Study Ottawa Case Study Discussion and Comparison of Cases Green Space and Water Body Impacts Urban Spaces Planning Issues and Conservation Biology Conclusion References Editors’ Contact Information Index