ESS 562: Natural Resource Inventory-Wildlife

Description:

Competency Areas Spring 2010 and earlier: CB- Required alt; Cert, EE, EAO, IND ? elective; RMC ? science elective Competency Areas Fall 2010: Methods or elective
Restricted to Con Bio & SDCC students from December 7 - 14; open to all ES students on December 15.

What are the techniques we use to assess wildlife? What are the components of a well-rounded inventory? We will use winter snow and spring melt conditions to investigate the methods of detecting fur-bearers, amphibians, and birds. We will review the basics of developing investigation plans, base mapping, and map & compass use, and then begin our field sampling of wildlife sign, calls, and sightings. Lecture and field time will be combined to provide an in-depth review of line intercept, transect and point count methods. Assessments will be derived from quantitative data in order to provide guidance for management purposes.