Bibliography in environmental consulting: wildlife monitoring

In environmental consulting, and specifically in wildlife monitoring and management, it is very common to work with different species or taxonomic groups in diverse ecosystem contexts. The need to cover different objectives means that a wide range of techniques must be used, from simple inventories to habitat selection studies, diet analysis or population productivity studies.

Unfortunately, generalist and imprecise, or even erroneous, methodologies are often applied, regardless of the species to be studied, the scale at which the work is carried out or the objectives to be achieved. The fact is that choosing the wrong sampling or analysis techniques is a more serious problem than it might seem at first glance. Especially considering that management strategies are often conditioned by the results obtained. A bad choice will only provide erroneous data and biased interpretations. Therefore, it is very necessary to know the study techniques, their virtues and disadvantages, before applying them to a specific objective.

To do our bit to solve the problem, we present you with 4 publications, already classic despite their relative editorial youth, which we recommend that you have in your libraries. In them, you will be able to consult the basic steps to design a good work, to know which protocol is most appropriate for a specific issue and to properly process the information collected. As always, we hope that it will be of interest to you. Keep Calm and Read Science.

BIRD CENSUS TECHNIQUES

A classic among the classics. The bible that every consultant who works with birds should have handy to read and reread. It concisely explains the various census techniques as well as their advantages and limitations, describing protocols applicable in all types of situations, from landscapes of the European countryside to deserts or tropical rainforests. All this is accompanied by multiple examples, both theoretical and real, accompanied by graphics and diagrams. The objective is for technicians to be able to choose the most appropriate methodologies for their objectives, knowing their possibilities and scope. [Access to the publisher]

ECOLOGICAL CENSUS TECHNIQUES. THE HANDBOOK.

One of the most complete tools available, with a multitaxonomic approach and written by numerous authors who specialize in sampling techniques for mammals, birds, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles and plants. The first part addresses the planning process, sampling and basic theory to organize a good study. And in the following chapters he deals with the appropriate techniques and protocols for each faunistic group in a synthetic but effective and clear way. Finally, the work closes with a chapter in which it explores the methodological needs to reflect the different environmental variables and their influence, and closes with a section describing the most common errors in the execution of censuses. [Access to the publisher]

PRACTICAL STATISTICS FOR FIELD BIOLOGY

A book focused on the treatment of information collected in the field, it provides the statistical foundations necessary to start analyzing data without sensible or convoluted theoretical explanations. With real and highly applied examples, it introduces the reader to the world of basic statistics without assuming that previous knowledge is too advanced. In addition, this second edition includes a chapter explaining multivariate analysis methods and an appendix on the available statistical packages. Likewise, and for those who may be interested, there is a summarized version focused on ornithology but published in Spanish by SEO/BirdLife: Basic statistics in ornithology. [Access to the publisher]

REPTILE BIODIVERSITY. STANDARD METHODS FOR INVENTORY AND MONITORING

With the contribution of almost 70 specialists, this book offers methodologies for carrying out quantitative and qualitative studies of reptiles, as well as the techniques necessary to establish spatial, temporal and habitat or taxon comparisons. To this end, the work protocols are explained, the necessary guidelines are provided for their correct application and recommendations are given for the analysis of the data. The purpose is for users to have tools to be able to correctly carry out monitoring, inventory, abundance, population or taxonomic diversity studies. [Access to the publisher]