Estimating Orangutan Densities Using the Standing Crop and Marked Nest Count Methods: Lessons Learned for Conservation
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Spehar, Stephanie N.; Mathewson, Paul D.; Wich, Serge A.; Marshall, Andrew J.; Kühl, Hjalmar; Meijaard, Erik
Description
Reliable estimates of great ape abundance are needed to assess distribution, monitor population status, evaluate conservation tactics, and identify priority populations for conservation. Rather than using direct counts, surveyors often count ape nests. The standing crop nest count (SCNC) method converts the standing stock of nests into animal densities using a set of parameters, including nest decay rate. Nest decay rates vary greatly over space and time, and it takes months to calculate a...[Show more]
dc.contributor.author | Spehar, Stephanie N. | |
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dc.contributor.author | Mathewson, Paul D. | |
dc.contributor.author | Wich, Serge A. | |
dc.contributor.author | Marshall, Andrew J. | |
dc.contributor.author | Kühl, Hjalmar | |
dc.contributor.author | Meijaard, Erik | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2016-04-19T02:38:49Z | |
dc.date.available | 2016-04-19T02:38:49Z | |
dc.identifier.issn | 0006-3606 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1885/101061 | |
dc.description.abstract | Reliable estimates of great ape abundance are needed to assess distribution, monitor population status, evaluate conservation tactics, and identify priority populations for conservation. Rather than using direct counts, surveyors often count ape nests. The standing crop nest count (SCNC) method converts the standing stock of nests into animal densities using a set of parameters, including nest decay rate. Nest decay rates vary greatly over space and time, and it takes months to calculate a site-specific value. The marked nest count (MNC) method circumvents this issue and only counts new nests produced during a defined period. We compared orangutan densities calculated by the two methods using data from studies in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia. We show how animal densities calculated using nest counts should be cautiously interpreted when used to make decisions about management or budget allocation. Even with site-specific decay rates, short studies using the SCNC method may not accurately reflect the current population unless conducted at a scale sufficient to include wide-ranging orangutan movement. Density estimates from short studies using the MNC method were affected by small sample sizes and by orangutan movement. To produce reliable results, the MNC method may require a similar amount of effort as the SCNC method. We suggest a reduced reliance on the traditional line transect surveys in favor of feasible alternative methods when absolute abundance numbers are not necessary or when site-specific nest decay rates are not known. Given funding constraints, aerial surveys, reconnaissance walks, and interview techniques may be more cost-effective means of accomplishing some survey goals. | |
dc.description.sponsorship | EM was funded through the Orangutan Conservation ServicesProgram of USAID and the Sall Family Foundation. Fieldworkin Ketambe was funded through the Sumatran OrangutanConservation Program, Philadelphia Zoo and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. | |
dc.publisher | Wiley | |
dc.rights | © 2010 The Author(s) Journal compilation © 2010 by The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation | |
dc.source | Biotropica | |
dc.subject | Borneo | |
dc.subject | density estimate | |
dc.subject | great ape | |
dc.subject | Indonesia | |
dc.subject | Pongo | |
dc.subject | population census | |
dc.subject | primate | |
dc.subject | Sumatra | |
dc.title | Estimating Orangutan Densities Using the Standing Crop and Marked Nest Count Methods: Lessons Learned for Conservation | |
dc.type | Journal article | |
local.description.notes | Imported from ARIES | |
local.identifier.citationvolume | 42 | |
dc.date.issued | 2010 | |
local.identifier.absfor | 160102 | |
local.identifier.absfor | 050202 | |
local.identifier.ariespublication | u8304786xPUB195 | |
local.publisher.url | http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/ | |
local.type.status | Published Version | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Spehar, Stephanie , University of Wisconsin, United States of America | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Mathewson, Paul, University ofWisconsin-Madison, United States of America | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Nuzuar, Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme, Indonesia | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Wich, Serge A, University of Zurich, Switzerland | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Marshall , Andrew J., University of California, United States of America | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Kuhl, Hjalmar, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Nardiyono, ., The Nature Conservancy, Indonesia | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Meijaard, Erik, College of Arts and Social Sciences, CASS Research School of Humanities and the Arts, School of Archaeology and Anthropology, The Australian National University | |
local.bibliographicCitation.issue | 6 | |
local.bibliographicCitation.startpage | 748 | |
local.bibliographicCitation.lastpage | 757 | |
local.identifier.doi | 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2010.00651.x | |
local.identifier.absseo | 970106 | |
dc.date.updated | 2016-06-14T09:17:53Z | |
local.identifier.scopusID | 2-s2.0-78149273496 | |
Collections | ANU Research Publications |
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