Estimating Abundance of African Wildlife

I: Introduction.- 1: Introduction to Estimating Wildlife Abundance.- 1.1 A Brief Overview of Techniques.- 1.2 Selection of a Technique.- 2: Interpretation of Population Estimates.- 2.1 Population Estimate.- 2.2 Variance, Standard Error and Confidence Limits.- 2.3 Bias and Accuracy.- 2.4 Stratification.- 2.5 Random Sampling versus Systematic Sampling.- 2.6 Sample Count Theory.- 2.7 Categorisation of Data.- II: Direct Counts: Part IIa: Ground Count Techniques.- 3: Ground Count Techniques; an Introduction.- 3.1 Total Ground Counts.- 3.1.1 Total Ground Counts of Hippos and Crocodiles.- 3.1.2 Total Ground Counts Using Individual Recognition.- 3.2 Sample Ground Counts.- 4: Line Transect Counts.- 4.1 Theoretical Background.- 4.1.1 Conceptual Background.- 4.1.2 Different Shapes of the Detection Function.- 4.2 Software to Analyse Line Transect Data.- 4.3 Survey Design.- 4.3.1 Stratification of the Survey Area.- 4.4 Field Procedures.- 4.5 Precision and Accuracy of Line Transect Results.- 4.6 Data Analysis with Program Distance.- 4.6.1 Analysing the Lupande Warthog Data with Program Distance.- 4.6.2 Analysing the Lupande Elephant Data with Program Distance.- 4.7 The Mean Perpendicular Distance Method.- 4.7.1 Data Analysis using the Mean Perpendicular Distance Method.- 4.7.2 Analysing the Lupande Warthog Data with the MPD Method.- 4.7.3 Analysing the Lupande Elephant Data with the MPD Method.- 4.8 Vehicle Counts.- 4.8.1 Road Counts.- 4.9 Comparative Costs of Sample Counts on the Ground.- II: Direct Counts: Part IIb: Aerial Count Techniques.- 5: Aerial Total Counts.- 5.1 Sources of Bias in Aerial Total Counts.- 5.2 Census Design.- 5.3 Aerial Total Counts of Hippos and Crocodiles.- 5.4 The Double Count Method.- 5.5 Field Example of Observer Bias Experiments.- 5.6 Field Example of Visibility Bias and Sighting Probability Bias Experiments.- 6: Aerial Sample Counts.- 6.1 Choice of Sample Unit.- 6.1.1 Blocks.- 6.1.2 Transects.- 6.2 Survey Design.- 6.3 Positioning the Streamers.- 6.4 Analysis.- 6.4.1 Jolly's Method 1 for Equal Sized Sample Units.- 6.4.2 Jolly's Method 2 for Unequal Sized Sample Units.- 6.5 Precision in Relation to Density and Sampling Intensity.- 6.5.1 Density and Precision.- 6.5.2 Sample Size and Precision.- 6.6 Field Example of an Aerial Survey.- 6.6.1 Analysis of a Stratified Design.- 6.7 Comparative Costs of Aerial Counts.- III: Indirect Counts: Part IIIa: Special and Index Techniques.- 7: Special Techniques.- 7.1 The Mark/Recapture Method.- 7.2 Field Example.- 7.3 Estimating Abundance through Radio-Tracking.- 7.4 Field Example.- 7.5 Estimating Abundance using DNA Analysis.- 8: Index Counts.- 8.1 Field Example of a Patrol Index Count.- 8.2 Monitoring of Sex and Age Ratios, and Juvenile Mortality.- III: Indirect Counts: Part IIIb: Indicator Techniques.- 9: Dropping Counts.- 9.1 Theoretical Concept.- 9.2 Dropping Counts in Woodland Savanna.- 9.2.1 Defecation Rate.- 9.2.2 Decay Rate.- 9.2.3 Analysis.- 9.3 Dropping Counts in Forests.- 9.3.1 Defecation Rate.- 9.3.2 Decay Rate and Analysis.- 9.4 Dropping Counts on Roads.- 9.4.1 Validity of the Method.- 9.4.2 Sample Design and Analysis.- 9.4.3 Field Examples.- 9.5 Sources of Error.- 9.6 Faecal Counts of Other Species.- 10: Footprint Measurements.- 10.1 Concept, Sample Design and Analysis.- 10.2 Field Example.- 10.3 Costs of Indicator Counts.- IV: Analysing Distribution Data and Population Trends.- 11: Analysing Animal Distribution, Movements and Population Trends.- 11.1 Analysis of Animal Distribution and Movements.- 11.2 Field Example.- 11.3 Analysing Population Trends.- 11.4 Field Example.- V: Synthesis.- 12: Deciding on a Technique.- 12.1 The Reasons for Counting.- 12.2 The Animal Species.- 12.3 The Habitat Type.- 12.4 The Budget.- 12.5 Making a Decision.- References.- Appendices.- Appendix I: A Brief Manual to Program 'Aerial'.- Appendix II: Program 'Aerial' in Quickbasic 4.5.