Pacific Southwest Research Station

Publication Information

Title: Performance in wild ungulates: measuring population density and condition of individuals

Author: Kie, John G.

Date: 1988

Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-106. Berkeley, Calif.: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 17 p

Station ID: GTR-PSW-106

Description: Measures of performance in wild ungulates can include characteristics indicative of condition and health such as body weights, fat reserves, blood values, reproductive rates, and parasite loads. Performance may also be inferred from habitat-related factors, such as diet and nutritional intake. However, these parameters interact with population density to form a homeostatic system that tends towards equilibrium over time, subject to other extrinsic variables. Therefore, performance in ungulates should be judged with reference to a specific population density. Estimates of population density can be derived from direct methods such as drive counts, aerial counts, line transect counts, spotlight counts, and remote sensing, as well as from indirect techniques such as mark-recapture methods, change-in-ratio methods, track and trail counts, and fecal pellet-group counts. Flowcharts presented offer help in choosing appropriate methods to determine population density and assess condition and health of individuals.

Key Words: ungulate populations, census methods, condition indices

View and Print this Publication (600 KB)

Publication Notes:

Evaluate this Publication

Citation

Kie, John G.  1988.  Performance in wild ungulates: measuring population density and condition of individuals  Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-106. Berkeley, Calif.: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 17 p.