Modifying Estimates of Sampling Effort to Account for Sprung Traps
Beauvais GP and Buskirk SW. 1999. Modifying Estimates of Sampling Effort to Account for Sprung Traps. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 27(1):39-43
Accurate estimates of the relative abundance of small mammals depend, in part, on accurate estimates of sampling effort. Although sprung traps reduce sampling effort, they are usually ignored in its calculation. We tested the accuracy of estimates of sampling effort from different formulas using computer simulations and compared rates of trap-springing among sites in Wyoming mountains. Subtracting 0.5 time-intervals for each sprung trap improved estimates of sampling effort and controlled for site-specific rates of trap-springing. Because rate of trap-springing varied widely among and within vegetation types, failure to use this correction can seriously confound comparisons of relative abundances.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Beauvais, Gary; Buskirk, Steven
- Units
- SODN
- Keywords
- Abundance, Baits, Capture, Museum Special, Sampling Effort, Sherman, Small Mammals, Trapping