Assumptions about fence permeability influence density estimates for brown hyaenas across South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Wildlife population density estimates provide information on the number of individuals in an area and influence conservation management decisions. Thus, accuracy is vital. A dominant feature in many landscapes globally is fencing, yet the implications of fence permeability on density estimation using spatial capture-recapture modelling are seldom considered. We used camera trap data from 15 fenced reserves across South Africa to examine the density of brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea). We estimated density and modelled its relationship with a suite of covariates when fenced reserve boundaries were assumed to be permeable or impermeable to hyaena movements. The best performing models were those that included only the influence of study site on both hyaena density and detection probability,

SUBMITTER: Williams KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7804016 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature