Abstract

This chapter discusses basic concepts and terminology associated with monitoring spatial distribution, abundance, and density of species in a given area during some period of time. The occurrence and spatial arrangement of a species within a defined area at a particular time are called its spatial distribution. The most basic distributional information may be obtained from previous records of trapped, harvested, sighted, or other form of documented occurrence of a given species. Validly assessing spatial distribution, abundance, or density requires either a survey or a census. A survey is a partial count of animals or objects within a defined area during some time interval, whereas a census refers to a complete count within a particular area and time period. These two terms are not synonymous, although they often are used incorrectly as such. Spatial distribution, abundance, and density are parameters, that is, they are fixed but unknown quantities within a defined area and time period. Obviously, the number and spatial distribution of animals will change over time and space; therefore, these parameters are “fixed” only over a short time within a defined space.

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