Trends in volume migration chronology in spring staging Pacific black brant

We used a robust dataset of count and mark-resighting data for Pacific black brant from 1989–2004, and a novel mark-recapture model capable of analyzing such data, to calculate the annual variability and timing of brant as they migrated through the Parksville–Qualicum Beach area, a traditional spring staging site in coastal British Columbia, Canada. Our analysis indicated that the date of departure from this site to northern breeding sites advanced between 10 and 20 days over this period because of a combination of earlier arrival and shorter residence times. Given this change in migration behavior, and the potential implications for population dynamics, we recommend that targeted research on brant wintering, migration, and reproductive strategies should be examined within a greater Pacific-wide context. In this way, the consequences of proximate factors (e.g., disturbance, food, and climate) can be understood in terms of individual fitness and population dynamics. Finally, at the local level, conservation actions are needed to ensure the long term sustainability of Parksville–Qualicum Beach as an important spring staging site for Pacific black brant. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Sandpipers go with the flow: Correlations between estuarine conditions and shorebird abundance at an important stopover on the Pacific Flyway

Estuaries of major rivers provide important stopover habitat for migratory birds throughout the world. These estuaries experience large amounts of freshwater inputs from spring runoff. Understanding how freshwater inputs affect food supply for migrating birds, and how birds respond to these changes will be essential for effective conservation of critical estuarine habitats. We estimated trends over time in counts of Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) and Pacific Dunlin (Calidris alpina pacifica) during northward migration on the Fraser River estuary, British Columbia, Canada, where shorebirds feed extensively on intertidal biofilm and invertebrates. We also examined whether counts were correlated with a suite of environmental variables related to local conditions (precipitation, temperature, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, tidal amplitude, and discharge rates from the Fraser River) during a total of 540 surveys from 1991 to 2019. Counts of Western Sandpiper declined ~54% (−2.0% per annum) over the entire study period, and 23% from 2009 to 2019 (−0.9% per annum). Counts of Pacific Dunlin did not show a statistically significant change over the study period. Counts of shorebirds were lower when discharge from the Fraser River was high, which we propose results from a complex interaction between the abrupt changes in salinity and the estuarine food web related to the quantity or quality of intertidal biofilm. Counts were also higher when tidal amplitude was lower (neap tides), potentially related to longer exposure times of the mudflats than during spring tides. Effects of wind are likely related to birds delaying departure from the stopover site during unfavorable wind conditions. The negative trend in migrating Western Sandpipers is consistent with declines in nonbreeding areas as observed in Christmas Bird Counts. Understanding causes of population change in migratory shorebirds highlights the need for research on mechanistic pathways in which freshwater inputs affect food resources at estuarine stopovers.     

Do systematic daily counts reflect the total number of birds using stopover sites during migration? A test with Eurasian Spoonbill

Many migratory waterbird populations are declining and wetland connectivity is a major conservation challenge. The importance of stopover sites has been typically assessed by peak counts of birds, which underestimate the total number of individuals using the site over a migratory season, especially in small wetlands. We analysed the accuracy of different daily count schemes to estimate the total number of Eurasian Spoonbill that stop over at two tidal wetlands during their autumn migration and compared them with the birds observed leaving the area each day. Total number of birds was obtained by combining numbers of each flock of birds leaving during the season. We obtained different accurate predictors for birds departing daily from each stopover area. Daily low-tide counts were the best predictor of the daily number of birds that stopover in a tidal wetland mainly used to refuel (staging site), whereas daily high-tide counts were best at a wetland mainly used to rest (stopover site). Each measure also accurately predicted annual trends for each area, respectively. Daily low-tide counts could be used as an easy census method to estimate the daily number of individuals using a staging site consistently during the entire migratory season, as well as indicating trends, without the necessity of estimating turnover rates. By contrast, daily high-tide counts would be especially suitable for determining the minimum relevance and the population trends of other tidal wetlands (especially the smaller ones), which regularly support moderate numbers of spoonbills during migration where birds use to stop over for less than one day. This method developed for the spoonbill, a flagship and umbrella species, could represent a first step in improving the conservation of other endangered migratory waterbird populations.     

Juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) habitat and distribution in the Lower Fraser River, downstream of Hope, BC, Canada

The primary objective of this study was to identify and characterize juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) habitat in the Lower Fraser River downstream of Hope, BC, Canada. A secondary objective was to estimate the juvenile white sturgeon population in the Lower Fraser River. A total of 1867 white sturgeon was captured with gill nets at 26 sites in the Lower Fraser River. The greatest numbers of sturgeon were caught in three sloughs; all but three sturgeon were captured in the June to August period. These three sloughs all had water deeper than 5 m and current that was multidirectional. Turbidity ranged greatly from 1.5 NTU (Nephelometric Units) to 67.0 NTU and the substrate of most sites was fine sediments, fine sand, silt and clay. Stomach contents were mysid shrimp (Mysidacea), midge larvae (Chironomidae) and peamouth chub (Mylocheilus caurinus). We identified three of 26 sites with appreciable numbers of juvenile sturgeon, identified water quality parameters of these sites, identified any incidental species that might be prey and also determined that between 1985 and 1993 the juvenile white sturgeon population had declined.     

Playback point counts and N-mixture models suggest higher than expected abundance of the critically endangered blond titi monkey in northeastern Brazil

Effective management of threatened species requires accurate population size estimation and monitoring. However, reliable population size estimates are lacking for many endangered species. The critically endangered blond titi monkey (Callicebus barbarabrownae) is an endemic primate of the Caatinga biome in Northeastern Brazil. A previous assessment based on presence-only data estimated a minimum population size of 260 mature individuals in 2,636 km², and studies based on visual records suggested very low local relative abundance. However, this cryptic species is known to be difficult to visually detect. We played back recordings of C. barbarabrownae loud calls to count the number of responding groups in 34 sampling sites during 9 consecutive days in a 221-km² study area. Repeated group counts at sites were used in N-mixture models, which account for imperfect detection, to estimate the number of groups in relation to dry forest area and distance to villages. We estimated a total of 91 groups in the study area. Considering the mean number of adults per group as three, we estimated a population of 273 adult individuals, resulting in a density of 2.3 individuals/km² in the dry forest habitat. Detection probability was four times higher for surveys conducted between sunrise to midmorning than between midmorning to sunset. We also found that C. barbarabrownae abundance increases with increasing dry forest area and increasing distance to the nearest village, indicating the need to promote dry forest restoration in the Caatinga. As our results suggest a larger population of C. barbarabrownae than had been previously estimated for its entire distribution, our results suggest a need for similar assessments in other areas to reliably estimate the total population size. This study demonstrates how playback surveys coupled with N-mixture models can be used to estimate population sizes of acoustically-responsive primates, and thus contribute to more effective conservation management.     

Stopover Ecology of Red Knots in Southwestern James Bay During Southbound Migration

Many shorebirds rely on small numbers of staging sites during long annual migrations. Numerous shorebird species are declining and understanding the importance of these staging sites is important for successful conservation. We surveyed endangered rufa red knots (Calidris canutus rufa) staging in James Bay, Ontario, Canada, during southbound migration in 2017 and 2018. We used mark-resight data and count data in an integrated Bayesian analysis to quantify migration phenology, estimate passage population size, and model the age structure of the stopover population. Many adult red knots arrived in James Bay in a single wave in early August in 2017, whereas adult red knots arrived in multiple smaller waves in July and mid-August in 2018. These waves may correspond with breeding phenology where more red knots bred successfully and arrived in one large event in 2017 and the higher number of earlier arrivals in July 2018 may have been failed breeders. We included a binomial generalized linear model in the integrated analysis to estimate that 20% and 10% of staging red knots were juveniles in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In future applications, this method could provide a metric to assess breeding performance and develop our understanding of its role in population declines. Overall, we estimated that up to 23% of the estimated rufa red knot population staged in southwestern James Bay for an average of 10–12 days. The region is a key staging site for endangered red knots and could be included in conservation planning. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.     

Study on the current population and habitat of the wild Chinese alligator ( Al ligator sinensis )

A survey of wild Chinese Alligator was conducted from July to August 1999 and from August to September 2000 by direct counting after dark (20 z00pm) using headlamps or a 12v portable spotlight. At each site visited , the authors mapped the ponds using laser rangefinder and compass , characterized the physical nature of the ponds and vegetation , and conducted interviews with local residents. The location of all sites was recorded using a hand2held GPS. There are 26 sites in 5 counties that were surveyed where wild Chinese Alligators still exist in Anhui province , including 13 designated conservation sites of the National Chinese Alligator Reserve. The current wild alligator populations mainly exist in the best type of habitat , which totals 17.4 ha with estimated populations of 50.7 % in 1999 and 40.0 % in 2000. This can be compared with the other two types of habitat , which total 22. 0 ha and 19. 0 ha , with their estimated population numbers of 24.0 % in 1999 and 30.9 % in 2000 , and 25.3 % in 1999 and 29.1 % in 2000 respectively. The average ecological densities of the alligators in the two years were 1.3 ind. / ha and 1.8 ind. / ha , with an estimated population of 145 individuals. However , the population has been evidently divided into 18 isolated small local populations with different numbers of individuals. We suggest that habitat should be restored and captive-reared alligators should be reint roduced into the area to rebuild a viable population.     

Individual heterogeneity in black brant survival and recruitment with implications for harvest dynamics

We examined individual heterogeneity in survival and recruitment of female Pacific black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) using frailty models adapted to a capture–mark–recapture context. Our main objectives were (1) to quantify levels of heterogeneity and examine factors affecting heterogeneity, and (2) model the effects of individual heterogeneity on harvest dynamics through matrix models. We used 24 years of data on brant marked and recaptured at the Tutakoke River colony, AK. Multievent models were fit as hidden Markov chain using program E‐SURGE with an adequate overdispersion coefficient. Annual survival of individuals marked as goslings was heterogeneous among individuals and year specific with about 0.23 difference in survival between “high” (0.73)‐ and “low” (0.50)‐quality individuals at average survival probability. Adult survival (0.85 ± 0.004) was homogeneous and higher than survival of both groups of juveniles. The annual recruitment probability was heterogeneous for brant >1‐year‐old; 0.56 (±0.21) and 0.31 (±0.03) for high‐ and low‐quality individuals, respectively. Assuming equal clutch sizes for high‐ and low‐quality individuals and that 80% of offspring were in the same quality class as the breeding female resulted in reproductive values about twice as high for high‐quality individuals than low‐quality individual for a given class of individuals producing differential contributions to population growth among groups. Differences in reproductive values greatly increased when we assumed high‐quality individuals had larger clutch sizes. When we assumed that 50% of offspring were in the same quality class as their mothers and clutches were equal, differences in reproductive values between quality classes were greatly reduced or eliminated (breeders [BRs]). We considered several harvest scenarios using the assumption that 80% of offspring were in the same quality class as their mothers. The amount of compensation for harvest mortality declined as the proportion of high‐quality individuals in the harvest increased, as differences in clutch sizes between groups decreased and as the proportion of BRs in the harvest increased. Synthesis and applications. Harvest at the same proportional level of the overall population can result in variable responses in population growth rate when heterogeneity is present in a population. λ was <1.0 under every scenario when harvest rates were >10%, and heterogeneity caused as much as +2% difference in growth rates at the highest levels of proportional harvest for low‐quality individuals and the greatest differences in qualities between classes of individuals, a critical difference for a population with λ near 1.0 such as the brant. We observed less response in overall survival in the presence of heterogeneity because we did not observe heterogeneity in the annual survival of BRs. This analysis provides a comprehensive view of overall compensation at the population level and also constitutes the first example of a survival‐recruitment model with heterogeneity. Individual heterogeneity should be more explicitly considered in harvest management of vertebrates.     

野生扬子鳄种群及栖息地现状研究

1999年7～8月及2000年8～9月,利用GPS、激光测距仪等,采用夜间灯光照射计数方法,对 有野生扬子鳄(Alligator sinensis)存在的安徽省宣州、泾县、广德、郎溪、南陵等5 县市的26个地点进行了调查,包括扬子鳄国家级自然保护区的13个指定保护点。结果发现： 目前野生扬子鳄主要生存在第一类栖息地（1999年50.7%、2000年40.0%）,面积为17.38 hm²;其他两类栖息地的野生扬子鳄分布比率较小（各为1999年24.0%、2000年30.9%、1999 年25.3% 、2000年29.1%）,面积分别为22.04hm²、19.03hm²。两年的平均生态密度分别为1.28条/hm²和1.79条/hm²,野生扬子鳄种群数量为145条。其种群已明显分为至少18个数 量不等且相互隔离的地方种群。建议恢复足够大的栖息地,并放饲养鳄于其中以重新 建立有效野生种群。     

Is relative abundance a good indicator of population size? Evidence from fragmented populations of a specialist butterfly (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

A common task for conservation biologists and ecologists is to establish how many individuals there are in a population, usually within a defined area of habitat. Estimates of both absolute and relative population sizes are widely used in many aspects of population conservation and management. Mark–recapture studies are appropriate for estimating the absolute population sizes of a wide range of animals, in both open and closed populations, while relative abundances can be estimated from a variety of survey methods. Relative abundances are often used in a comparative way to compare both population size and fluctuations in abundance. Here, we used transect counts and capture–recapture studies to estimate the relative abundances and population sizes of a specialist butterfly, Theclinesthes albocincta (Lycaenidae) in three habitat fragments, over two consecutive years. The sizes of the three populations differed significantly between sites and were highly variable between years. One population was extremely small and is likely to become locally extinct. We found that estimates of relative abundance were highly correlated with estimates of population size (r ² = 0.88, P = 0.017) derived from the open population models. The combination of transect counts and capture–recapture studies used in this study appears to be a very informative tool for the conservation and management of this butterfly species and could be extended to other insects.     

Carryover effects associated with winter location affect fitness, social status, and population dynamics in a long-distance migrant

We used observations of individually marked female black brant geese (Branta bernicla nigricans; brant) at three wintering lagoons on the Pacific coast of Baja California-Laguna San Ignacio (LSI), Laguna Ojo de Liebre (LOL), and Bahía San Quintín (BSQ)-and the Tutakoke River breeding colony in Alaska to assess hypotheses about carryover effects on breeding and distribution of individuals among wintering areas. We estimated transition probabilities from wintering locations to breeding and nonbreeding by using multistratum robust-design capture-mark-recapture models. We also examined the effect of breeding on migration to wintering areas to assess the hypothesis that individuals in family groups occupied higher-quality wintering locations. We used 4,538 unique female brant in our analysis of the relationship between winter location and breeding probability. All competitive models of breeding probability contained additive effects of wintering location and the 1997-1998 El Ni?o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event on probability of breeding. Probability of breeding in non-ENSO years was [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] for females wintering at BSQ, LOL, and LSI, respectively. After the 1997-1998 ENSO event, breeding probability was between 2% (BSQ) and 38% (LOL) lower than in other years. Individuals that bred had the highest probability of migrating the next fall to the wintering area producing the highest probability of breeding.     

Pollen movement in declining populations of California Valley oak,Quercus lobata: where have all the fathers gone?

The fragmented populations and reduced population densities that result from human disturbance are issues of growing importance in evolutionary and conservation biology. A key issue is whether remnant individuals become reproductively isolated. California Valley oak (Quercus lobata) is a widely distributed, endemic species in California, increasingly jeopardized by anthropogenic changes in biota and land use. We studied pollen movement in a savannah population of Valley oak at Sedgwick Reserve, Santa Barbara County, to estimate effective number of pollen donors (Nep) and average distance of effective pollen movement (delta). Using twogener, our recently developed hybrid model of paternity and genetic structure treatments that analyses maternal and progeny multilocus genotypes, we found that current Nep = 3.68 individuals. Based on an average adult density of d= 1.19 stems/ha, we assumed a bivariate normal distribution to model current average pollen dispersal distance (delta) and estimated delta= 64.8 m. We then deployed our parameter estimates in spatially explicit models of the Sedgwick population to evaluate the extent to which Nep may have changed, as a consequence of progressive stand thinning between 1944 and 1999. Assuming that pollen dispersal distance has not changed, we estimate Nep was 4.57 individuals in 1944, when stand density was 1.48. Both estimates indicate fewer effective fathers than one might expect for wind-pollinated species and fewer than observed elsewhere. The results presented here provide a basis for further refinements on modelling pollen movement. If the trends continue, then ongoing demographic attrition could further reduce neighbourhood size in Valley oak resulting in increased risk of reproductive failure and genetic isolation.     

Some biological characteristics of the endemic Neretvan nase, Chondrostoma knerii Heckel, 1843, in the Hutovo Blato wetlands (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The paper presents for the first time important information regarding population structure, growth rate, length‐weight relationships and reproductive aspects of the Neretvan nase, Chondrostoma knerii, a fish species endemic to the Neretva River. Chondrostoma knerii is mainly distributed in the lower parts and delta of the Neretva River wetlands and its tributaries (Krupa River, Hutovo Blato wetlands) shared between Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina. Samples were collected between 2000 and 2001 during the reproduction period of the species in the Hutovo Blato wetlands area. Population structure analysis indicates that all ages appear, from 0 to 7+. Longevity was estimated at 7.5 years. Main age classes were 3, 4 and 5 years, totalling 91.00% of all individuals. Males ranged between 2 and 5+ years of age, and females between 1 and 7+ years of age. Maximum length was 28.04 cm and maximum weight, estimated from the length‐weight relationship, as 206.8 g. Found scattered in streams of high water velocity, eggs were attached to the substrate (aquatic plants or solid objects). Correlation between egg number and length and weight was extremely low. The gonad‐somatic index distribution showed an inverse proportionality with total length. Main length classes for reproduction ranged from 20 to 24 cm, while fecundity ranged between 2000 and 16 000 eggs per female.     

Latitudinal variation in population structure of wintering Pacific Black Brant

ABSTRACT.   Latitudinal variation in population structure during the winter has been reported in many migratory birds, but has been documented in few species of waterfowl. Variation in environmental and social conditions at wintering sites can potentially influence the population dynamics of differential migrants. We examined latitudinal variation in sex and age classes of wintering Pacific Black Brant ( Branta bernicla nigricans ). Brant are distributed along a wide latitudinal gradient from Alaska to Mexico during the winter. Accordingly, migration distances for brant using different wintering locations are highly variable and winter settlement patterns are likely associated with a spatially variable food resource. We used resightings of brant banded in southwestern Alaska to examine sex and age ratios of birds wintering at Boundary Bay in British Columbia, and at San Quintin Bay, Ojo de Liebre Lagoon, and San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California from 1998 to 2000. Sex ratios were similar among wintering locations for adults and were consistent with the mating strategy of geese. The distribution of juveniles varied among wintering areas, with greater proportions of juveniles observed at northern (San Quintin Bay and Ojo de Liebre Lagoon) than at southern (San Ignacio Lagoon) locations in Baja California. We suggest that age-related variation in the winter distribution of Pacific Black Brant is mediated by variation in productivity among individuals at different wintering locations and by social interactions among wintering family groups.     

Discriminating coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) populations within the Fraser River, British Columbia, using microsatellite DNA markers

Three microsatellite loci were used to examine genetic variation among 16 coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) populations within the Fraser River drainage system, in British Columbia, Canada. Each locus was highly polymorphic with 30 alleles at the Ots 101 locus, 15 alleles at the Ots 3 locus and 38 alleles at the Ots 103 locus. Average observed heterozygosities were 86.1%, 70%, and 56.1%, respectively. With the exception of the Dunn and Lemieux River populations, Chi-square tests and F _ST values indicated that all populations had significantly different allele frequencies. Two distinct population groups within the Fraser River drainage were observed. Lower Fraser River populations were strongly differentiated from populations spawning in the upper Fraser River, which includes the Thompson River (a tributary flowing into the upper Fraser) and the portion of the Fraser River beyond the precipitous Fraser River canyon. This regional population structure may have resulted from colonization of the upper and lower Fraser River regions by different founder populations following Pleistocene glaciation, and be maintained by adaptive differences between the two groups of coho salmon. Coho salmon populations in the upper Fraser and Thompson River drainages form an evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of importance for conservation of biodiversity in coho salmon. Microsatellite DNA loci show promise as technically simple and highly informative genetic markers for coho salmon population management.     

Relative spraint density and genetic structure of otter (Lutra lutra) along the Drava River in Hungary

In this study, we used genetic-based approaches to estimate population size and structure of Eurasian otter along the Drava River in Hungary, and compared these results to traditional survey-based methods. The relative spraint density of otter was estimated based on the number of fresh (D_f) and total number (D_t) of spraints collected on standard routes over a 2-year period. Nine microsatellite loci were screened, generating 17 individual otter genotypes composed of 45 different alleles. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.53 to 0.89 and observed heterozygosity from 0.25 to 0.92. The mean density (D_g) estimated over six different sites was 0.17 individuals per km of shoreline. A close correlation was found between the number of genotypes and spraint counts along a standard route (fresh spraints: r_P=0.85, P<0.01; total spraints r_P=0.76, P<0.05). All genotypes found within the 50 km-long study area were closely related (D_m ranged between 0.08 and 0.21).     

A first estimate of white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, abundance off Central California

The decline of sharks in the global oceans underscores the need for careful assessment and monitoring of remaining populations. The northeastern Pacific is the home range for a genetically distinct clade of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). Little is known about the conservation status of this demographically isolated population, concentrated seasonally at two discrete aggregation sites: Central California (CCA) and Guadalupe Island, Mexico. We used photo-identification of dorsal fins in a sequential Bayesian mark-recapture algorithm to estimate white shark abundance off CCA. We collected 321 photographs identifying 130 unique individuals, and estimated the abundance off CCA to be 219 mature and sub-adult individuals ((130, 275) 95% credible intervals), substantially smaller than populations of other large marine predators. Our methods can be readily expanded to estimate shark population abundance at other locations, and over time, to monitor the status, population trends and protection needs of these globally distributed predators.     

North American Brant: effects of changes in habitat and climate on population dynamics

We describe the importance of key habitats used by four nesting populations of nearctic brant (Branta bernicla) and discuss the potential relationship between changes in these habitats and population dynamics of brant. Nearctic brant, in contrast to most geese, rely on marine habitats and native intertidal plants during the non‐breeding season, particularly the seagrass, Zostera, and the macroalgae, Ulva. Atlantic and Eastern High Arctic brant have experienced the greatest degradation of their winter habitats (northeastern United States and Ireland, respectively) and have also shown the most plasticity in feeding behavior. Black and Western High Arctic brant of the Pacific Flyway are the most dependent on Zostera, and are undergoing a shift in winter distribution that is likely related to climate change and its associated effects on Zostera dynamics. Variation in breeding propensity of Black Brant associated with winter location and climate strongly suggests that food abundance on the wintering grounds directly affects reproductive performance in these geese. In summer, salt marshes, especially those containing Carex and Puccinellia, are key habitats for raising young, while lake shorelines with fine freshwater grasses and sedges are important for molting birds. Availability and abundance of salt marshes has a direct effect on growth and recruitment of goslings and ultimately, plays an important role in regulating size of local brant populations.     

Monitoring populations of Western Sandpipers and Pacific Dunlins during northward migration on the Fraser River Delta,British Columbia, 1991–2013

The Fraser River Delta in British Columbia, Canada, is a globally significant stopover site for shorebirds, but the population status and trends of many species that use the site remain uncertain. We describe an ongoing program to monitor population trends of the two most abundant species, Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) and Dunlins (Calidris alpina), during northward migration. Counts of these species were conducted at a mudflat where large flocks assembled at mid‐tide from 15 April to 15 May, 1991–2013, and we estimated species‐specific counts as the product of daily total flock counts and species proportions obtained during supplementary sampling. The median peak count of both species combined was 177,000 birds, and occurred between 24 April and 3 May. Ratios (proportions) of the two species followed a predictable pattern during the migration period, with a low proportion of Western Sandpipers (3%–20%) in flocks before 20 April, followed by a rapid increase to 80%–100% between 25 April and 10 May and a variable decrease to 30%–80% by 15 May. Mean counts of Western Sandpipers showed no significant trend over the study period. Mean counts of Dunlins showed a non‐linear trend, decreasing until 2001 and then increasing to 2013. Bias and random error in field counts were quantified by comparing field counts to counts made from photographs taken during surveys, and analysis revealed that field counts had a downward, but predictable, bias, accounting for >90% of birds present, with a stochastic error rate of 28.0%. Uncertainty in total population estimates was high after accounting for the effect of length of stay and sampling error. Population estimates suggested that 600,000 Western Sandpipers and 200,000 Dunlins typically passed through the site during northward migration. Our estimates indicate the usefulness of daily counts at major stopover sites during northward migration as an effective tool for monitoring shorebird populations, and underscore the need for conserving such sites.     

Estimating mountain goat abundance using DNA from fecal pellets

Non-invasive collection of tissue samples to obtain DNA for microsatellite genotyping required to estimate population size has been used for many wildlife species but rarely for ungulates. We estimated mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) population size on a mountain complex in southwestern British Columbia by identification of individuals using DNA obtained from fecal pellet and hair samples collected during 3 sampling sessions. We identified 55 individuals from 170 samples that were successfully genotyped, and estimated a population of 77 mountain goats (SE = 7.4). Mean capture probability was 0.38 (SE = 0.037) per session. Our technique provides one of the first statistically rigorous estimates of abundance of an ungulate species using DNA derived primarily from fecal pellets. Our technique enables managers to obtain minimum counts or population estimates of ungulates in areas of low sightability that can be used for conservation and management. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.