Avian surveys of large geographical areas: a systematic approach

Author:

Scott, J. Michael, Jacobi, James D., Ramsey, Fred L.

Title:

Avian surveys of large geographical areas: a systematic approach

Periodical:

Wildlife Society Bulletin

Year:

1981

Volume:

9

Pages:

190-200

Subject:

Bird populations Surveys Sampling methods Vegetation surveys

Summary:

More taxa of birds (21) have become extinct in Hawaii than in any other comparable area in the world. Of the 57 U.S. taxa that were listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1980 as being endangered or threatened, 52.6% were endemic to Hawaii. As a result, a team approach was used in this study to simultaneously map the distribution of birds, selected food items, and major vegetation types in 34,000- to 140,000-ha tracts in native Hawaiian forests. The objectives of the Hawaii Forest Bird Survey (HFBS) were to determine: the distribution of all forest birds (with an emphasis on the native species), the bird density by vegetation type and elevational stratum, the bird and habitat correlations, the distribution of native vegetation types on all of the islands, the land-use patterns and stability of habitats within each species' range, the geographical areas in which more detailed studies could be undertaken in an effort to clarify the distributional anomalies and to identify the limiting factors of the various species, and to determine the distribution of rarer plants. A secondary objective was to develop, improve, and continually evaluate forest bird survey techniques and their methods of statistical analysis. By using a multidisciplinary team approach, large savings in time was realized over attempts to conduct similar surveys of a smaller scope. In addition, a systems approach to management problems was made easier. Discussed in detail here, are the methods that were used in the survey design, the training of the observers, and in the documenting of bird numbers and habitat descriptions.

Label:

Birds - General

URL:

http://cletus.uhh.hawaii.edu:2075/stable/3781837

Date:

Autumn 1981

Collection:

Periodicals