Use of track counts and camera traps to estimate the abundance of roe deer in North-Eastern Italy: are they effective methods?

摘要: Population density of European roe deer Capreolus capreolus was estimated in six forest areas North-Eastern Italy through the use different methods. The most effective method to estimate a population is always case-dependent and, thus, varies across study areas. Particularly, drive count and vantage point estimates (i.e. counts by hunters) have been reported be assess densities woodlands, but they require high volunteer human presence, which limit their feasibility. Results hunters were thus compared with obtained camera trapping track counts. Surveys all carried out between 2014 2015. three-used provided us comparable results, suggesting that may applied area. Track-count survey shown be—with equal effectiveness—the cheapest infer near 28% cheaper than trapping). As our sites, we therefore suggest proposal track-count might provide wildlife managers cost-effective alternative other methods density. However, it noteworthy also lead lower counts; an apparent difference accuracy needs considered when choosing for certain method.