A method for comparing effectiveness of research techniques in conservation and applied ecology

摘要: In conservation science or applied ecology there is often a range of techniques available to study given problem. It clearly sensible use the most effective, but cost-effectiveness different methods rarely compared. Comparisons are not straightforward, as selection best method will depend on time, budget and equipment, human resources available. The efficient in one case might be that for another with constraints. To overcome this problem we sub-sampling approach make such comparisons among research techniques, comparing results achievable increasingly larger subsets data, using cost-efficiency analysis. We illustrate comparison two common radio-telemetry transects surveys, habitat by lesser kestrels Falco naumanni. Habitat preferences were determined compositional analysis providing similar overall results. Telemetry resulted number significant differences between habitats, costs higher; 312 EUR per statistically difference compared 82.5 transect data. Transects cheaper technique when surveying large area they limited road availability. suggest effectiveness should routinely issues.