The conservation uses of ringing data. Conclusions of the JNCC/BTO workshop, 4–5 November 1995, Norwich.

Abstract

1. The monitoring of both population size and demographic variables is important for understanding the causes of population changes. The main function of the Ringing Scheme should continue to be the monitoring of demographic variables, for a wide range of species. Ringing has an essential role in the monitoring of productivity, survival and dispersal. Numbers can also be monitored using ringing for some species. 2. Conservationists and policy‐makers require information on the movements of migratory species, particularly migrant passerines, waterfowl and seabirds. Analyses based on the mapping of ringing recoveries can provide much of the information that is required. An Atlas of Bird Migration based on ringing recoveries would fulfil many of these needs and identify areas where more detailed work is needed. There is scope for developing quantitative analyses of movements which incorporate regional variation in reporting rates, for example to estimate the proportions of different populations that use diffe...