Techniques Useful for Determining Raptor Prey-Species Abundance
Abstract
A workshop was held by the Raptor Research Foundation on October 27 and 28, 1976, in Ithaca, New York, to develop standardized data collection and analytical methods for raptor studies. Applications of the methods will ensure compatibility and facilitate year-to-year and area-to-area comparisons valuable in environmental assessment and raptor population trend monitoring.
We have focused on one of the workshop topics, that of methods appropriate for measuring prey-species abundance. Emphasis is on techniques used in western grasslands. The selection and use of the particular techniques described in this paper will depend on the level of quantification desired, the habitat type, and the availability of research time and money. Long-term studies should include methods that will provide quantified data, i.e., density (number of individuals per unit area). Such data will enable calculation of prey exploitation rates and prey densities, parameters important to our understanding of raptor population dynamics.
