Ecological Census Techniques

The revised second edition of this bestselling text is still an invaluable aid for all those involved in field ecology and conservation.

Almost all ecological and conservation work involves carrying out a census or survey. This practically focused book describes how to plan a census, the practical details and shows with worked examples how to analyse the results. The first three chapters describe planning, sampling and the basic theory necessary for carrying out a census. In the subsequent chapters international experts describe the appropriate methods for counting plants, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. As many censuses also relate the results to environmental variability, there is a chapter explaining the main methods. Finally, there is a list of the most common mistakes encountered when carrying out a census.

On the first edition:
A major text covering the main techniques used by field ecologists to enumerate plants and animals. Methods of estimating population size for plants, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are all described. The book also shows how to measure environmental variables such as the weather, water chemistry and soil composition.