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Developing relative abundance techniques (RATs) for monitoring rodent populations
conference contribution
posted on 2005-01-01, 00:00 authored by Desley WhissonDesley Whisson, R M Engeman, K CollinsAccurate density estimates of rodents are frequently difficult or cost-prohibitive to determine. Thus, a number of techniques (track plates, monitoring blocks, chew cards/sticks, apple slice index, trapping) are often used to index rodent populations. Theoretically, the sensitivity of these indexing techniques could be improved if they applied continuous measurements rather than simple binary measurements (presence/absence). Development of a relative abundance technique that is simple to apply and sensitive to changes in population density is critical for the operational management of rodent pests. In addition to providing a quantitative measure of abundance with statistical parameters, an indexing technique that does not require handling of animals is important in consideration of potential disease issues (for example, hantavirus, arenavirus, etc.). We investigated track plates, chew cards and monitoring blocks and associated continuous measurement methods for calculating indices of rodent abundance. In laboratory and field settings, we tested their effectiveness in detecting different population densities of California meadow voles (Microtus californicus). Chew cards were poorly accepted by meadow voles in pen and field tests. However, track plates and monitoring blocks may provide useful tools for indexing meadow vole populations, and have application for other rodent species.
History
Event
Australasian Wildlife Management Society. Conference (16th : 2003 : Christchurch, N.Z.)Volume
32Issue
3Series
Australasian Wildlife Management Society ConferencePagination
239 - 244Publisher
CSIRO PublishingLocation
Christchurch, N.Z.Place of publication
Clayton, Vic.Publisher DOI
Start date
2003-12-01End date
2003-12-05ISSN
1035-3712Language
engPublication classification
E1.1 Full written paper - refereedCopyright notice
2005, CSIROEditor/Contributor(s)
[Unknown]Title of proceedings
Use of indices to monitor wildlife populations : Proceedings of the 3rd International Wildlife Management Congress incorporating the 16th Australasian Wildlife Management Society ConferenceUsage metrics
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