Distribution and Reproductive Success of Raptors within Noatak National Preserve/Western Arctic National Parklands 2002 Progress Report
Western Arctic National Parklands Resource Protection Division. 2002. Distribution and Reproductive Success of Raptors within Noatak National Preserve/Western Arctic National Parklands 2002 Progress Report. National Park Service. Kotzebue, Alaska
In 2002, a systemic raptor survey was initiated within Noatak National Preserve of Western Arctic National Parklands. Our study area included the Noatak River Corridor from the confluence of the Kelly River to the eastern boundary of Noatak National Preserve (Figure 1). We utilized a systematic sampling technique that involved randomly selecting a starting point and taking samples at equally spaced intervals (1 km) thereafter. Systematic sampling is often recommended for large areas (Kingsly, 1981) because by spreading the samples over a large, often variable area, one can obtain better estimates of means and gain more precision than by simple random or stratified methods (Cochran, 1987). Conducting systematic sampling in the field often is more efficient than other survey methods because travel paths and intervals are fixed (Kochert, 1991).