Techniques of Wildlife Investigation and Management – Flashcards

• Abundance estimates needed to make state-dependent management decisions • To asses the performance of management • To judge predictive abilities of models of the managed system

• A single estimate at one point/space in time is usually of limited value • They seldom provide all answers to management questions • They don't tell you anything about why and how the population responds to management actions

• Probability of detection • Sampling

• Mortality • Reproduction • Immigration • Emigration

• Nhat = estimate of population size • C = count of animals over all sampling units • alpha = proportion of the entire area that is surveyed • Beta hat = estimated detection probability

• Sampling methods and efforts • Measurable, exogenous variables (weather conditions, observer identity) • Inconsistent detection probability

• Species • Observer • Environmental influences

• Animals seen or heard • Animals caught in traps • Number of animals harvested • Fecal or pellet counts • Inconspicuous structures made by animals

• Drive counts • Total Mapping • Spot mapping (territory mapping) • Point counts • Thermal scanners • Radar • Population reconstruction • Aerial photography • Total counts on sample plots

• Complete counts on a subsample • Marked subsample • Multiple observers - aerial • Multiple observers - ground • Observation probability models • Distance sampling • Time of detection • Combination methods

• Removal methods - capturing animals and removing them from the population • Capture-mark-recapture methods - capturing the animals, marking them distinctly, then noting what proportion of the animals are captured again

A group of organisms of the same species living in a particular area at a particular time, involving concepts such as birth rate, death rate, sex ratio, and age structure.

The study of changes that occur over time and the causes of those changes.

• Nt = number of individuals in a population at given time • Bt = Birth rate • It = immigration rate • Dt = death rate • Et = emigration rate • Nt+1 = number of individuals in a population at a future time

• Nt = number of individuals in a population at given time • Nt+1 = number of individuals in a population at a future time • λ = finite rate of population increase

• Nt = population after t years • N0 = initial population size • e = natural log • r = instantaneous rate of increase

• K - carrying capacity • e - natural log • a - measures the size of population at time 0 relative to the infinite time population size • r - maximum rate of population growth size

The movement an animal makes from its point of origin to the place where it reproduces.

Number of live births produced over some period of time

Potential level of reproductive performance of a population

The addition of new individuals to the population through reproduction

• x - age, measured in years or some other convenient unit or interval • dx - number of deaths in the age class • sx - survival rate at age x • nx - number of individuals surviving from birth to age class x • qx - mortality rate at age x • lx - the cumulative survival rate from birth until age x

• Type I - low mortality early in life but higher rates among older individuals - Elk • Type II - mortality rates roughly constant with age - adult songbirds • Type III - High mortality among young and decreasing mortality as individuals age - invertebrates and fish

A population of populations, a population isolated from other populations that still experiences occasional genetic trade. Such populations are being separated by habitat fragmentation.

• biparentallly inherited • found in the cell nucleus • evolves slowly • encodes more of the genome than mitochondrial DNA and is passed sexually • used more in forensics.

A reaction in which a region of DNA is targeted and amplified exponentially. This reaction requires development of unique primers, which flank both sides of the targeted region of DNA. If there is only a small amount of DNA available, scientists can augment the amount using a technique called PCR (polymerase chain reaction). PCR is used to amplify, or make copies of, DNA.

Molecular marker used for taxonomic delineations, regional sub specific population structure, genetic diversity and sub-population structure. It is also sometimes used for individual ID and paternity/maternity analysis.

Group of different genetic techniques that explore nucleotide variation indirectly. Compares the size of DNA fragments through electrophoresis. It is easy and fast to perform, able to compare individuals.

The original source for most genetic differences among individuals. This is the main device by which we get genetic diversity in populations!

When organisms disperse to new populations and reproduce, they contribute genetic material to their new population. This increases the genetic similarity of populations that exchange individuals (so it decreases genetic diversity).

Random change in the frequencies of alleles is genetic drift. Bottlenecks are constrictions in population size. These both reduce allelic/genetic diversity

Natural selection, process whereby gene frequencies change in population in response to external

• Estimating Population size/survival • Tracking individual movements • Species identification • Dietary analysis

The Laws of Association are using scientific relationships between classes of facts rather than actual experimental tests of hypothesis.

Involves broad objectives rather than tests of specific hypotheses.

Involves a specific hypothesis that is tested and used for wildlife management objectives.

A set of interrelated constructs, definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying general relations among variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena

• What data will be collected and when, how much, and how long • How will these data be treated statistically? • Will the data meet assumptions of the statistical test? • Is the sample size adequate? • Will the statistical hypothesis provide information directly related to the theory or model? • Do biases exist in data collection, research design, or data analysis that might lead to a spurious conclusion?

• Biological - aggregation of individuals of the same species that occupy a specific locality, boundaries can be described with accuracy. • Political - has artificial constraints of political boundaries, such as county, state or international entities. • Research - usually only a segment of a biological population, taking a sample resulting in the research population commonly being referenced as the sample frame.

• Is the sample an unbiased representation of the research population? • Is the research population an unbiased representative of the biological population? • Is the biological population representative of the species?

• Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted through aerosols, ingestion or contact through mucus membranes.

• The disease agent, the host and the environment.

Describes a level of disease in populations that is above normal expected baseline values

Disease that is present in an animal community over the long term and refers to the usual frequency of disease in the population or the constant presence of disease in a population.

The number of existing cases of a disease in a known population at a specific time.

Number of new cases of a disease in a known population over a specified period of time.

• D - degenenerative and developmental conditions • A - allergic and autoimmune conditions • M - metabolic conditions • N - neoplastic and nutritional conditions • I - infectious and idiopathic conditions • T - traumatic and toxic conditions.

The study of the elements that contribute to the occurrence or nonoccurrence of disease in a population.

• Magnitude • Onset • Environment • Species affected and species at risk • Population at risk • Population movement • Age and gender • Mortality and morbidity • Clinical signs

• Pathology (necropsy, postmortem, autopsy) • Bacteriology/Mycology • Virology • Parisitology • Toxicology • Molecular biology • Serology • Clinical chemistry and hematology • Epidemiology/Epizootiology

• The effects of their activities on the organisms under study • Validity of study results • Values and uses of these organisms by other segments of society

• Evaluate the care, treatment, housing, and use of animals • Promote the compliance with the AWA regulations

• Professionals must approach all projects involving use of wildlife with a commitment to making a contribution to improving understanding of biological principles, or obtaining knowledge expected to benefit wildlife populations, ecosystems, or humans. • Procedures used should avoid or minimize distress to animals consistent with sound research design. • Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight distress to animals should performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia or anesthesia, except for when justified and approved by ACUC. • Animals that otherwise would experience severe or chronic distress that cannot be relieved will be euthanized. • Methods of euthanasia should be consistent with recommendations of the AVMA panel on Euthanasia • Living conditions of animals should be appropriate for that species and contribute to their well being. • Post-release monitoring of animals involved in experimental procedures should be conducted to examine effects on individuals and populations.

• Know how the animal responds to stress, • Know the animal's sensitivity to capture and restraint, • Know requirements for captive maintenance if applicable. • Catalog voucher specimens • Minimize sample size • Avoid repetition of studies

• Consider using eye masks • Do all you can to minimize handling time • Use darkened holding facilities as appropriate • Reduce unnecessary handling • Reduce human conversation

substance that causes loss of feeling or awareness. A local anesthetic causes loss of feeling in a part of the body. A general anesthetic puts the person to sleep.

a compound that relieves pain by altering the perception of painful or noxious stimuli without producing anesthesia or loss of consciousness. .

a substance that reduces nervous tension; usually stronger than a calmative

metabolic disturbances resulting from chemical immobilization that may lead to an animal's death

• Marks should have a minimal effect on the animal's anatomy and physiology • Marks should not influence the organism's behavior • Marks that make an animal more conspicuous must be evaluated in light of the possibility of predisposing them to predation or intraspecific conflict • Marks should be retained for the minimal period required to achieve project goals • Unambiguous marks that are quick and easy to apply should be selected to avoid extensive handling or error potential • Marks must comply with federal, state, and other agency rules • Other potential uses of organisms need to be considered and accommodated if possible. • Short-lived and inconspicuous marks should be selected whenever possible. • Scientists should attempt to remove collars or other external markers at the conclusion of their research whenever possible or feasible. • Permanent markers that injure or change the appearance of an animal should be used only under the most humane conditions and when alternative methods are not available.

• Appropriate health certification is required for all animals being brought to the site of field investigations. State veterinary officials should be contacted to certify what specific testing is to be done when animals are moved into their jurisdiction. • Appropriate disinfection and biosecurity procedures should be used for investigators and their equipment when disease risks are present. • Prior knowledge of disease activity at the study site should be obtained to guide actions involving the research study. • The source for any animals brought to a field investigation site should be evaluated for inherent disease problems, and appropriate steps should be taken to avoid disease introductions. • To the extent possible, animals should be held under surveillance for 15-30 days prior to their release into wild, and only healthy animals should be released. • Any animals that die should be examined by a disease diagnostic laboratory having competency for identifying cause of death in the species involved. • Disease specialists should examine animals that become clinically ill and their counsel should be used to protect the well being of other animals within the study area.

• Modeling wildlife-habitat relationships: analysis of amounts, patterns, and trends of habitat change for individual wildlife species • Modeling populations: spatially explicit wildlife population models consider 2 factors of importance to the estimation of populations: (1) species-habitat relationships and (2) habitat arrangements over space and time. • Conservation of wildlife communities: delineation and conservation of wildlife and ecological communities • Risk analysis: posing 'what if' questions to examine predicted results of potential actions

• Tracking and recording wildlife movements • Inventorying, mapping, and/or surveying wildlife habitats or specific wildlife use areas.

A smooth mathematical surface that closely fits the mean sea-level surface

• Identify research problem • Conduct literature review of relevant topics • Identify research objectives • Collect preliminary observations and data • Conduct exploratory data analysis • Formulate a theory • Formulate predictions from conceptual model as testable hypothesis • Design research and methodology for each hypothesis • Prepare written research proposal • Obtain peer review of research proposal and revise as necessary • Perform experiments • Conduct data analysis • Evaluate, interpret and draw conclusions from data • Speculate on results and formulate new hypotheses • Submit manuscript describing research for peer review