Efficiency of scat-analysis lab procedures for bear dietary studies: The case of the Apennine brown bear

摘要: Abstract Bear food habits are often quantified using scat analysis, mainly due to its non-invasiveness and because samples relatively easy collect. However, lab processing time can be daunting may end up competing with other field activities. Sub-sampling a bear analyze contents reduce the time, but number of subsamples per is usually chosen arbitrarily. We investigated effect on estimatation diet composition Apennine brown in Abruzzo Lazio Molise National Park. Based sample 328 scats collected 2006, from 5 1 (10 ml) scat, dietary analysis showed qualitative quantitative stability at decreasing subsamples, only items negligible importance were occasionally missed 1–2 scat. concluded that 2 used without significant loss accuracy, corresponding 60% reduction more than 50 days work for one operator process our entire sample. By assessing sub-sampling we also present preliminary data seasonal population.