Importance of observer experience in finding desert tortoises
Article Abstract:
Observer bias is a well-known problem when wild animals are being counted and many sampling methods exist for different field situations. The desert tortoise is an endangered species and a conservation plan requires a census to be conducted over large areas of desert by experienced tortoise biologists. Two new experiments, using a known number of styrofoam tortoises, have been conducted to observe the counting accuracy of observers with previous experience. The study found that experience is not a predictor of tortoise-finding success.
Publication Name: The Journal of Wildlife Management
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0022-541X
Year: 1998
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Effects of drought on desert tortoise movement and activity
Article Abstract:
Desert tortoises were monitored in the Mojave Desert for two years. There was more rain than usual in the first winter, whereas a drought followed in the second winter. Annuals that bloomed in the first year were not present in the second year. The tortoises showed a decrease in home range size, average daily distances traveled, numbers of burrows in use, and activity at the surface compared with activity in burrows, during the drought year. Conservation plans for desert tortoises should take productivity and weather into account.
Publication Name: The Journal of Wildlife Management
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0022-541X
Year: 1999
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Problems with sampling desert tortoises: A simulation analysis based on field data
Article Abstract:
Computer simulations using actual tortoise location data from 2 1-mi(super 2) plot surveys in southern California, USA is conducted to identify strengths and weaknesses of current samplings strategies. Tortoise population estimates based on these plots as truth and then tested various sampling methods based on sampling smaller plots passing through the mile squares are considered.
Publication Name: The Journal of Wildlife Management
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0022-541X
Year: 2005
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