Transcript Bots Research presen.. - University of Alberta

Wildlife Assessment - Kalahari
Ecosystem (WAKE)
Reconnaissance trip funded
by University of Alberta FDIC
Dr. Lee Foote University of
Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
[email protected]
Ph (1) (780) 492-4020
Basic Motivation:
Responsible conservation requires we continually
work to develop better ways let ecosystems
meet the needs of people while ensuring the
long-term maintenance of both human cultures
and ecosystem integrity.
Such conservation is necessarily an adaptive
process that goes on forever because of
incessant changes in global economics, climate,
population, and knowledge.
Rationale for specific biodiversity measures proposed:
Indirect enumeration
Direct enumeration
Red Fox track in snow
Moose in Alberta
Based on the success of
snow track survey protocols
in Alberta, we propose to
use local expertise to help
develop a similar technique
for sand-bed spoor
analyses, enumeration,
biodiversity analysis and
visibility correction factors
for aerial surveys.
Kalahari Lion track
Why Track Surveys?
1. Dependable; if track is there, animal was there
2. Time-integrated; captures daily cycle of movement
3. Low-impact; non-invasive, no wildlife handling needed
4. Participatory; features and incorporates local knowledge
5. Statistically robust; sample size, independent variable &
land use treatments prescribed.
6. Low-tech, low risk; less prone to equipment or personnel
failure
7. Less confounded by available water sources (some sp).
8. Comprehensive presence/absence detection; good way to
detect very rare species.
9. Compatible with aerial and ground surveys; provides a
visibility correction factor (VCF).
Hypothesized Need for Aerial Survey VCF by Species Group
Low
Moderate
High/Essential
Theory & Hypotheses
Deviation from Baseline*
1. Track count methods provide a
parallel and detailed addition to
existing visual survey data
2. Wildlife species may be
predicted from vegetation and
habitat types by season.
3. Hunting and viewing tourism
does not change the basic plant
structure.
Disturbance
*= species indigenous to KTFP as benchmark (2001 & later)
4. Extractive safari use is
compatible with sustainable
wildlife community structure in
the Kalahari, question is how to
select off-take level? This info
aids DPW decisions.
Agriculture, intensive human use
Study Areas
High impact
Biltong, subsistence
hunting permits
Commercial
Hunting
Moderate impact
Low impact
Springbok on non-extractive
safari drive
Linkage to existing data
University of Uppsala
(Sweden) Visual surveys
(Wallgren Dissertation)
4-8% aerial survey
Conducted annually
Visibility Correction Factor
(VCF) will improve the
Interpretation of data
Monthly Parks visual count
Wildlife survey
(Botswana side_
Participants
Expressed
Interest:
•Botswana
DPW
•U Botswana
•Select
Community
members
Botswana DPW
Communities (e.g.) Zsutswa, Ngwatle,
Mabuasehube,Ukwi
•Kalahari
Cons. Soc.
•IUCN –
SUSG
•FSIDA
•U Florida
Invited
•NSERC
Tourists/Photo safari
concession
•FSIDA
Extractive/ hunting safari operations
•IDRC
(e.g.) Strumpher concession (invited)
University affiliates expressing interest in
cooperating on project
Dr. Evelyn Merrill, Range Ecologist,
Landscape analyst, U of Alberta
Dr. Naomi Krogman, International
Development/Environmental
Sociologist, U of Alberta
Dr. Lee Foote, Research
Director, U of Alberta
Dr. Raban Chanda, U
Botswana
Dr. Brian Child, U Florida
Martha Wallgren, Univ.
Upsalla, Sweden
Derek Keeping, MSc. Student
Julia Burger, Prospective MSc Student
Dr. Alistair Franke, U of
Alberta
Dr. Mark Boyce;
Quantitative
Vertebrate
Ecologist, U of
Alberta
Black-bellied Korhan
Bat-eared Foxes (5Pula coin for reference)
Chacma Baboon (Kalahari reinvader)
Logistical needs for project
Grant support (of course)
sought through Canadian
and International sources
Basic field accommodations
Johnny- Zsutswa
Hauled water tanks
Masada - Ukwi
Short list of trackers from Communities
Used 4X4 truck
Lion (key management need)
Leopard (quota debate)
Aardwolf (sensitive species?)
Hyenas (2 sp)
Pangolin (recovering?)
Baboon (encroaching?)
Wildebeest (water dependent)
Cattle competition from
wildlife
Data inspection for species of special interest. Movement, group size,
adult: offspring ratios & time/area association with other surveyed species.
We only provide management recommendations (a) at the invitation of the
management authority (DPW), and (b) with defensible supporting data.
Future Work
• The project is envisioned as a 2-phase project (20062009).
a. Track survey technique development w/ community
members.
b. Survey techniques and employment to community
members and game guards as a standard measurement
protocol to involve them in resource management at
grass roots level (2009-2012) & improve safari
employment opportunities in KD1, KD2, & KTFP
Grant Destinations
•
•
•
•
•
FDIC
NSERC
WWF
IDRC
Calgary Zoological Society