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Cited by 338Wildlife Ecology and ConservationCensus and Population EstimationAnimal Ecology and Behavior Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 33 of the 36 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Monitoring mammal populations with line transect techniques in African forests

Open access
Plumptre, Andrew J.·2000·Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2664.2000.00499.x
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Abstract

Summary 1. Line transect survey techniques have been used to estimate population density for a variety of mammal species in tropical forests. In many cases indirect methods, surveying signs of animals such as counts of dung or nests, have been used because of the poor visibility in these forests. The estimates of the production and decomposition rates of these signs each have their associated errors; however, for the majority of published studies these errors have not been incorporated into the estimate of the standard errors or confidence limits of the density estimate. An equation is given showing how this should be done. 2. An equation is also given relating the resolution (R) of a density estimate to the coefficient of variation (CV) of the estimate. This shows that to detect a 10% change in a population the CV must be 3·6% (with a power of 50%) or 2·4% (with 80% power). Using this equation and data from studies in Africa, it is shown that differences of less than 10–30% change in the population are unlikely to be detected between two surveys where visual sightings of animals are made. When indirect methods of estimating the population are used, it is unlikely that less than a 30–50% change in the population could be detected. 3. Some studies have surveyed primate groups using estimates of an average group spread. Data from primate groups in Budongo Forest, Uganda, show that group spread is highly variable and varies at different times of day and between months. This survey technique is not recommended. 4. If line transects are used for monitoring populations, conversion factors should be minimized as each contributes to an increase in the CV and a reduction in the ability to detect small changes in population density. 5. Monitoring trends in abundance over several survey periods can improve the detection of change, although this is costly and requires several surveys before any conclusions can be reached. Re‐using transects in subsequent surveys can also reduce the variation around the estimate and will improve the resolution. Focusing survey efforts in areas of high density is an alternative strategy, but one that could lead to other errors as high‐density areas may be the safest and hence the last to show change. Using biased survey methods is also a promising technique that can increase the precision of surveys. It is concluded that a combination of different survey methods will ensure that changes in abundance are identified.

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Research works printed but not linked: 12

  1. Alexander M. (, 1996, Management Planning for SSSIs.
  2. Buckland S.T., 1988, Estimated trends in abundance of dolphins associated with tuna in the eastern tropical Pacific, Report of the International Whaling Commission, 38, 411
  3. Dawson S. (1990)A model to estimate density of Asian elephants (Elephus maximus) in forest habitats.MSc Thesis.Oxford University Oxford UK.
  4. 10.1046/j.1365-3008.1998.d01-22.x · DOI
  5. Laake J.L., 1979, Users’ Manual for Program TRANSECT.
  6. Laake J.L., 1994, DISTANCE User's Guide V2.1.
  7. Ruggiero R.G. (1990)The ecology and conservation of the African elephant (Loxodonta african).PhD Thesis.University of Ann Arbor Ann Arbor MI.
  8. Staines B.W., 1987, Estimating the abundance of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and their current status in Great Britain, Symposium of the Zoological Society of London, 58, 131
  9. Struhsaker T.T. (, 1997, Ecology of an African Rain Forest.
  10. White L.J.T. (1992)Vegetation history and logging disturbance: effects on rainforest mammals in the Lope Reserve Gabon.PhD Thesis.University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK.
  11. Wing L.D., 1970, Elephants and forests, Wildlife Monographs, 19, 1
  12. Wrogemann D. (1992)Wild chimpanzees in Lope Gabon: census method and habitat use.PhD Thesis.Bremen University Bremen Germany.

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Metadata

Authors
Plumptre, A. J.
Affiliations
Wildlife Conservation Society (US)
Corresponding author
Plumptre, Andrew J.
ORCID
Plumptre, Andrew J.
Venue
Journal of Applied Ecology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2000-04
Volume
37
Issue
2
Pages
356-368
ISSN
  • 0021-8901 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2664
DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2664.2000.00499.x
OpenAlex
W2006683025
Cited by
338
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 26
FWCI
7.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 633 d)
Locations
Journal of Applied Ecology (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Wildlife Conservation Society
  • Fauna and Flora International
  • University of Oxford
  • University of Bristol
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Census and Population Estimation
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
Keywords
line transect survey, population monitoring, detection probability, coefficient of variation, dung counts, conversion factors, survey bias, Budongo Forest, African tropical forests

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