Quantitative Conservation of Vertebrates

Description

This book provides a hands-on introduction to the construction and application of models to studies of vertebrate distribution, abundance, and habitat. The book is aimed at field biologists, conservation planners, and advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students who are involved with planning and analyzing conservation studies, and applying the results to conservation decisions. The book also acts as a bridge to more advanced and mathematically challenging coverage in the wider literature.Part I provides a basic background in population and community modeling. It introduces statistical models, and familiarizes the reader with important concepts in the design of monitoring and research programs. These programs provide the essential data that guide conservation decision making. Part II covers the principal methods used to estimate abundance, occupancy, demographic parameters, and community parameters, including occupancy sampling, sample counts, distance sampling, and capture-mark-recapture (for both closed and open populations). Emphasis is placed on practical aspects of designing and implementing field studies, and the proper analysis of data. Part III introduces structured decision making and adaptive management, in which predictive models are used to inform conservation decision makers on appropriate decisions in the face of uncertainty?with the goal of reducing uncertainty through monitoring and research. A detailed case study is used to illustrate each of these themes. Numerous worked examples and accompanying electronic material (on a website -  http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/conroy - and accompanying CD) provide the details of model construction and application, and data analysis.Content: Chapter 1 Introduction: The Role of Science in Conservation (pages 1–6): Chapter 2 Using Models in Conservation Biology (pages 7–14): Chapter 3 Models of Population Dynamics (pages 15–31): Chapter 4 Applying Population Models to Conservation (pages 32–46): Chapter 5 Basics of Study Design and Analysis (pages 47–70): Chapter 6 General Principles of Estimation (pages 71–80): Chapter 7 Occupancy (Presence–Absence) Analysis (pages 81–100): Chapter 8 Sample Counts for Abundance Estimation (pages 101–114): Chapter 9 Distance Sampling for Estimating Density and Abundance (pages 115–134): Chapter 10 Capture–Mark–Recapture Studies for Estimating Abundance and Density (pages 135–159): Chapter 11 Estimation of Survival from Radiotelemetry, Nesting Success Studies, and Age Distributions (pages 160–188): Chapter 12 Mark–Recapture for Estimating Survival, Recruitment, Abundance, and Movement Rates (pages 189–218): Chapter 13 Analysis of Habitat (pages 219–229): Chapter 14 Estimation of Species Richness and Other Community Parameters (pages 230–250): Chapter 15 Elements of Conservation Decision Making (pages 251–264): Chapter 16 Accounting for Uncertainty in Conservation Decisions (pages 265–273): Chapter 17 Learning and Adaptive Management (pages 274–288): Chapter 18 Case Study: Decision Modeling and Adaptive Management for Declining Grassland Birds in the Southeastern USA (pages 289–302): Chapter 19 Summary and Recommendations (pages 303–306):