Animal Ecology

Research Techniques in Animal Ecology

Methods and Cases in Conservation Science Mary C. Pearl, Editor

Methods and Cases in Conservation Science Tropical Deforestation: Small Farmers and Land Clearing in the Ecuadorian Amazon Thomas K. Rudel and Bruce Horowitz Bison: Mating and Conservation in Small Populations Joel Berger and Carol Cunningham, Population Management for Survival andRecovery: Analytical Methods and Strategies in Small Population Conservation Jonathan D. Ballou, Michael Gilpin, and Thomas J. Foose, Conserving Wildlife: International Education and Communication Approaches Susan K. Jacobson Remote Sensing Imagery for Natural Resources Management: A First Time User’s Guide David S. Wilkie and John T. Finn At the End of the Rainbow? Gold, Land, and People in theBrazilian Amazon Gordon MacMillan

Perspectives in Biological Diversity Series Conserving Natural Value Holmes Rolston III

Series Editor, Mary C. Pearl Series Advisers, Christine Padoch and Douglas Daly

Research Techniques in Animal Ecology
Controversies and Consequences

Luigi Boitani and Todd K. Fuller
Editors

C
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS NEW YORK

Columbia University Press PublishersSince 1893 New York Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © 2000 by Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Research techniques in animal ecology : controversies and consequences / Luigi Boitani and Todd K. Fuller, editors. p. cm. — (Methods and cases in conservation science) Includes bibliographical references (p. ). ISBN 0–231–11340–4 (cloth: alk. paper)—ISBN 0–231–11341–2 (paper : alk. paper) 1. Animal ecology—Research—Methodology. I. Boitani, Luigi. II. Fuller, T. K. III. Series. QH541.2.R47 2000 591.7′07′2—dc21

99–052230

Casebound editions of Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper. Printed in the United States of America c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ForStefania and Caterina and Susan and Mollie for their patience, love, and support

Contents

authors list of illustrations list of tables preface
Chapter 1: Hypothesis Testing in Ecology

xv xix xxiii xxv

Charles J. Krebs Some Definitions What Is a Hypothesis? Hypotheses and Models Hypotheses and Paradigms Statistical Hypotheses Hypotheses and Prediction Acknowledgments Literature CitedChapter 2: A Critical Review of the Effects of Marking on the Biology of Vertebrates

1 1 3 4 6 8 10 12 12

Dennis L. Murray and Mark R. Fuller Review of the Literature Which Markers to Use? Effects of Markers Among Taxa Critique of Marker Evaluation Studies Review of Current Guidance Available for Choosing Markers Critique of Guidelines Available for Choosing Markers

15 16 17 17 35 37 39viii

CONTENTS

Survey of Recent Ecological Studies Future Approaches Study Protocols and Technological Advances Marker Evaluation Studies Acknowledgments Literature Cited
Chapter 3: Animal Home Ranges and Territories and Home Range Estimators

40 42 43 44 46 46

Roger A. Powell Definition of Home Range Territories Estimating Animals’ Home Ranges Utility Distributions Grids Minimum ConvexPolygon Circle and Ellipse Approaches Fourier Series Harmonic Mean Distribution Fractal Estimators Kernel Estimators Home Range Core Quantifying Home Range Overlap and Territoriality Static Interactions Dynamic Interactions Testing for Territoriality Lessons Acknowledgments Literature Cited
Chapter 4: Delusions in Habitat Evaluation: Measuring Use, Selection, and Importance

65 65 70 74 75 77 7980 80 81 82 86 91 94 95 97 98 100 103 103

David L. Garshelis Terminology Methods for Evaluating Habitat Selection, Preference, and Quality Use–Availability Design Site Attribute Design Demographic Response Design Problems with Use–Availability and Site Attribute Designs

111 112 114 114 117 118 118

CONTENTS

ix

Defining Habitats Measuring Habitat Use Measuring Habitat Availability...