Wildlife survey

A systematic method for estimating the distribution or abundance of wild animals, using observations or other evidence collected across a defined area and period.

Distance sampling: A family of methods that estimates animal density from distances between detected animals and surveyors or transects. It corrects counts for declining detection with distance from a survey route.
Sampling design: The plan for selecting observations from a population to support valid inference. Survey routes, sites, and timing determine which parts of a population are represented.
Wildlife monitoring: Repeated collection of data to track wildlife populations, distributions, or ecological conditions over time. Repeated surveys reveal trends that a single sampling effort cannot establish.
Complete census: An enumeration intended to count every individual in a defined population. A census aims at a full count, while wildlife surveys usually infer population properties from samples.
Capture–recapture: A method that estimates population size by comparing marked individuals captured on separate occasions. Repeated captures estimate animals missed during any single survey.
Detection probability: The probability that a present organism is observed or recorded by a survey method. Imperfect detection makes raw counts lower than the number of animals present.
Population viability analysis: A modeling approach that estimates the likelihood of a population persisting under specified conditions. Survey estimates supply population data used to assess extinction risk.
Aerial survey: A wildlife survey conducted from an aircraft to observe animals across large areas. It offers broad coverage but can miss animals hidden by vegetation or terrain.
Occupancy modeling: A statistical approach that estimates site use while accounting for imperfect detection. Repeated visits help distinguish absence from failure to detect wildlife.
Abundance: The number of individuals in a population or defined area. Abundance is a principal quantity that wildlife surveys seek to estimate.

Linked from 5 pages