ENVS 0230 - Estimating Wildlife Populations

Credits: 3

This course introduces students to common techniques used for estimating populations of wildlife species including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. We will discuss concepts underlying population estimation techniques and basic sampling theory. We will focus on how wildlife managers use data on harvested species to estimate key population and demographic parameters, such as densities and survival rates. We will explore how to estimate those parameters independent of harvest, for both game and non-game species, using radiomarked or tagged animals and how to build simple population models. We will also explore the use of population indices, distance sampling, and other common survey techniques for wildlife species. We will use a variety of software packages including MARK, DISTANCE, and PRESENCE to analyze example data sets.

Prerequisites: Either ENVS 0105  or BIOL 0128 , and either MATH 0123  or BIOL 0278 . Or permission of instructor.

Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window)
Close Window