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22 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Site selection |
• Considerations • What are you measuring? • Site locality/ proximity • Can sites be compared? • Number of sites to choose • Sample size |
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Site Characterisation |
Living organisms are affected by • Physical • Chemical • Biological Characteristics of an environment, these can influence: • Survival • Growth • Behaviour |
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Physical factors |
• Microclimate/weather - Temperature, Humidity, Rainfall, Wind speed • Altitude • Latitude • Substrate characteristics - Type, Texture, Component, Temperature • Water characteristics - Temperature, Depth, Flow, Suspended soils, Inundation, Turbidity • Habitat features - Size, Shape age, Shelter • Inclination - Instability, Run off • Natural disturbance - Landslip, Flood, Fire • Management - Landscaping |
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Chemical factors |
• Substrate Characteristics - pH, Oxygen, Salinity, Organic content, Chemical elements • Water Characteristics - Oxygen content, Ammonia, Salinity, Conductivity, Chemical elements • Rainfall - pH, Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen oxide levels • Nutrient levels - Nitrates, Phosphates, Sulphates, Calcium, Magnesium, Silicon, Micronutrient • Management - Liming, Fertilising, Detoxification |
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Biological factors |
• Food for heterotrophs - Seasonal availability, Quantity, Quality, Accessibility • Competition for resources - Space, Light, Food, Mates • Death and Disease • Predation - Parasitism, Disease, Exploitation, Removal of pests • Vegetation features - Sward height, Diversity, Structure, Patchiness • Habitat features - Type diversity, Structure • Species features - Invasive species, Algal blooms • Disturbance - By humans, By animals • Management - Species removal, Species (re-)introduction, Habitat reclamation, Habitat rehabilitation, Habitat stabilisation |
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Habitat mapping |
• Valuable tool for ecologists • Habitats are identified through their dominant vegetation types (grassland, heath, woodland etc) • Phase 1 surveys can be quite general • These can then lead to Phase 2 maps that are much more detailed and can lead to changes in classification such as SSSI status |
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Examination of habitat scale |
• Many investigations usually focus on small scale variations and what they influence • Some projects the effect of scale is the topic of interest • Movement of animals • Connectivity of habitats • GIS and Remote sensing important tools |
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Monitoring microclimatic variables |
• Climatic conditions crucial in development of organisms • Temperature- many animals avoid climatic extremes • Wind speed-influence transpiration. Some can be drying others can be cooling • Tools such as weather stations, thermometers and anemometers |
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Monitoring water |
• Oxygen content • Nutrient status • Thermal pollution • Turbidity • Salinity |
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Other physical attributes |
• Dimensions • Aspect • Topography |
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Measuring biological attributes |
• Usually the factors of primary interest • Many different methods- best to find the one that suits your survey best • Often uses common indicator species • Identification- many guides available at a variety of levels - Introduction - Tracks and signs - Marking techniques - Tracking techniques |
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Considerations |
• Animals- most are mobile • May not be limited to a defined area • May have large habitat range • Smaller animals can be trapped • Larger ones more difficult • Often relies on sighting, trapping and release |
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Evidence of animals |
Indirect methods of animal sapling can be used. These can include: • Tracks • Evidence of feeding • Droppings • Homes |
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Evidence of feeding |
It is possible to look for evidence of feeding in some animals |
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Marking animals-natural marks |
• Direct observation it filming/photos • Equipment is required - camera, software and time • Ear notches, horn shape can also be used |
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Radio tracking |
• Complex topic • Many considerations • Can be expensive |
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Components |
1. A transmitting subsystem consisting of a radio transmitter, a power source and a propagating antenna 2. A receiving subsystem including a ‘pick-up’ antenna, a signal receiver with reception indicator and a power source Three types of radio tracking: 1. Very-high-frequency radio tracking 2. Satellite tracking 3. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) tracking |
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Tracking methods |
Researchers can track animals in the field through: • Homing in (either by ground or aerial tracking) • Triangulating • Passive remote tracking is accomplished through automatic tracking systems |
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Advantages |
• Highly accurate • Suited for studies where intensive and frequent data are needed • May not require frequent field visits |
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Disadvantages |
• High initial costs • Relatively short-lives and applicable to mammals the size of a wolf or larger or to birds on which solar cells can be used |
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Mammals |
• Necks, large ears or horns/antlers • Expandable collars allowing for growth for growth of young animals have also been applied successfully • Mammals with non-prominent necks- backpack harnesses • Surgically implanted transmitters such as subcutaneous transmitters, abdominal transmitters, or rumen transmitters represent other attachment alternatives • Two considerations when using implanted transmitters are greatly reduced signal range and increases invasiveness to the animal that may result in greater data bias and potentially require subsequent veterinary procedures |
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Birds |
Attachment methods form fitting transmitters to birds vary widely. Examples include transmitters with whip antennas fitted to backpacks with attachment loops under the wings; loops meeting near the breast, or loops under the legs; loops-antenna harness-chest packs; whip antennas adhered directly to tail feathers, collars, neck band mounts, or necklaces, leg-band transmitters |
