What question did this study set out to answer?

Assess the accuracy and reliability of distribution surveys, visual censuses, and footprint-tracking methods for monitoring Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra).

March 1, 2001Journal of Zoology

Testing the surveys and visual and track censuses of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra)

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Authors

JRJordi Ruiz‐OlmoGeneralitat de Catalunya DSDeli SaavedraRadboud University Nijmegen JPJuan Carlos Pérez‐JiménezAutonomous University of Campeche

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Implication

Comparative field study reveals high detection reliability in Eurasian otter censuses, indicating standard surveys accurately reflect animal distribution.

Key Points

Assess the accuracy and reliability of distribution surveys, visual censuses, and footprint-tracking methods for monitoring Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra).
Conducted simultaneous standard otter distribution surveys across 600 m waterway sites, radio-tracking, and visual and footprint censuses in the same areas.
Compared telemetry-derived home ranges with spoor detection rates across sites occupied by solitary or multiple individuals.
Evaluated visual counts against footprint length measurements, distinguishing between fresh tracks and older prints (≥2 days old).
Standard surveys yielded positive detection rates of over 71% in sites inhabited by a single otter and over 97% in sites occupied by two or more otters.
Radio-tracking confirmed that experienced observers visually detect nearly all present individuals, showing a high correlation between visual counts and footprint-length assessments.
Inclusion of older tracks (2 days old or more) alongside fresh prints led to systematic overestimation of otter numbers.

Cite This Study

Ruiz‐Olmo et al. (2001) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ff94b64716aad0cc8565b2 https://doi.org/10.1017/s0952836901000334

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Implication

Comparative field study reveals high detection reliability in Eurasian otter censuses, indicating standard surveys accurately reflect animal distribution.

Testing the surveys and visual and track censuses of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra)

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Testing the surveys and visual and track censuses of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra)

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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