Evaluation of trapping-web designs

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Contents Vol 32(2)

doi:10.1071/WR04011

Evaluation of trapping-web designs

Paul M. Lukacs ^A ^B ^C, David R. Anderson ^A, Kenneth P. Burnham ^A

^A Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 1484 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
^B Present address: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 250, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA.
^C Corresponding author. Email: Paul_Lukacs@partner.nps.gov





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Wildlife Research 32(2) 103–110 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WR04011
Submitted: 9 February 2004 Accepted: 17 September 2004 Published online: 4 May 2005

Abstract

The trapping web is a method for estimating the density and abundance of animal populations. A Monte Carlo simulation study is performed to explore performance of the trapping web for estimating animal density under a variety of web designs and animal behaviours. The trapping performs well when animals have home ranges, even if the home ranges are large relative to trap spacing. Webs should contain at least 90 traps. Trapping should continue for 5–7 occasions. Movement rates have little impact on density estimates when animals are confined to home ranges. Estimation is poor when animals do not have home ranges and movement rates are rapid. The trapping web is useful for estimating the density of animals that are hard to detect and occur at potentially low densities.