Wildlife biologists, conservation biologists and animal researchers in general are being challenged to provide unbiased estimates of the "true" number of birds or mammals present on a site. Traditional methods such as point counts for birds are being denigrated as nothing more than indices of abundance biased by observers abilities and attitudes.  Recent developments in theory and methods provide invaluable assistance to biologists, managers, and researchers facing this challenge. This five day workshop (April 14-18, 2008) is designed especially for wildlife, conservation, and other natural resource professionals needing an introduction or in-depth summary of recent developments in our approaches to eliminating observer and other sources of bias from estimates of abundance and density of birds and mammals. Participants will learn how to use paired or double observer approaches to bird surveys as well as radiotelemetered mammals to remove visibility bias from raw counts. Participants will gain hands-on experience in the use of statistical and proprietary analysis software by analyzing recent data from bird and mammal surveys in the Pacific Northwest.

Jump to:  Registration Form

• Welcome and Introduction

• Review of Basic Concepts
  Individual, demes/subpopulations, populations, and metapopulations
  Spatial distributions
  Population characteristics and processes
  Statistical populations and samples
  Estimation
  Point counts and variable circular plots
  Line transects
  Aerial surveys

Tuesday 4/15  - 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Elements of Sampling
  Review of basic principles
  Sampling designs
      Simple random sampling
      Stratification
      Cluster sampling
  Selecting an optimal design

• Bird Surveys
  History
  Definitions
  Indices or estimates of true density?

• Distance Sampling
  Development of approaches from strips
  Assumptions and models
  Theory
  Line transects
  Point transects

• Probability of detection
  Double observer approaches
  Paired observer variable circular plots
  Logistic modelling
  Information Theory and Model Evaluation
  
• Designing Unbiased Surveys
  Objectives for inventory and monitoring
  Removing bias
  Sampling design

Thursday 4/17  8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Surveys for Large Mammals
  Historical development
  Censuses vs. indices
  Ground counts vs. aerial surveys

• Visibility Bias in Surveys
  Historical development
  Double sampling
  Modeling probability of detection
  Survey design and efficiency

Friday 4/18  8:15 a.m. to 12 noon.

• Mark-recapture/resight Methods
  Lincoln-Petersen: Closed - Single Marking
  Schnabel: Closed - Multiple Marking
  CAPTURE: Closed - Multiple - Complex
  Cormack-Jolly-Seber: Open Populations
  MARK: Banding to Nests to Robust Designs
• Design
  Planning large scale surveys
  Monitoring vs. intensive studies
  Examples of applications

LOCATION AND TIME  -  Bishop, California - USFS Office

When taught on campus, all meetings will be held at the University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. Meetings will run from 1 p.m. on Monday, April 14 till noon on Friday April 18, 2008.  

PREREGISTRATION

The registration fee is NOT YET SET per participant. You may register on-line or print out the registration form and mail/FAX with payment to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1136.  A late fee of $100 will be added if check/PO/Invoice/Credit-Card payment not received 2 weeks prior to start of workshop.

Jump to:  Registration Form

LOCATION AND TIME

For courses on campus, all meetings will be held at the College of Natural Resources (Room 14), 6th and Line Street, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. Meetings will run from 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2008 through 12:00 noon on Friday.

CREDIT

Workshop participants will accrue 20 contact hours toward The Wildlife Society's Professional Development Program, or credits toward other societies (AFS, ESA, SCB) continuing education requirements for professionals.  One graduate credit for Wlf 504 is available from the University of Idaho's College of Graduate Studies for an additional fee.  Graduate credit requires completing all lab assignments and writing a short paper after the course concludes.

QUESTIONS

For transportation, registration, or logistical information, please call the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources at 208-885-6434 or fish_wildlife@uidaho.edu.