Application of distance sampling to estimate population densities of large herbivores in Kruger National Park

摘要: Aerial surveys have been used in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, to count large ungulates since late 1970s. After 1998, aerial line-transect sampling using fixed-wing aircraft and Distance analyses replaced ‘total’ counting method. This paper investigates these methods three intensities for estimating densities of nine ungulate species Park. Estimates suitable detection population trends making management decisions were decided by examination coefficients variation (set <20%, a priori). Despite likely violation some key assumptions methods, gave estimates with adequate monitoring impala, giraffe, zebra, kudu, white rhinoceros, elephant bull populations. Significant improvements precision obtained at higher elephants but already had sufficiently precise lowest intensity (15%). The warthog, wildebeest waterbuck populations were, however, insufficiently assessing trends. Increasing 22% did not significantly increase species. Shortcomings interpretation data caused violations critical are identified discussed.