We compared the uses and definitions of habitat-related terms in 50 articles from 1980 to 1994 to operational definitions we derived from the literature. Only 9 (18%) of the arti- cles we reviewed defined and used habitat-related terms consistently and according to our definitions of the terms. Forty-seven articles used the term "habitat;" however, it was only defined and used consistent with our definition in 5 articles (11 %) and was confused with vegetation association or defined incompletely in 42 papers (89%). "Habitat type" was the term most commonly used incorrectly; 1 6 of 1 7 times (94%) it was used to indi- cate vegetation association, but habitat and vegetation association are not synonymous. Authors did not provide definitions for habitat use, selection, preference, or availability 23 of 28 times (82%). We concluded that habitat terminology was used vaguely in 82% of the articles we reviewed. This distorts our communication with scientists in other dis- ciplines and alienates the public because we give ambiguous, indefinite, and unstandard- ized answers to ecological questions in public and legal situations. Scientists should de- fine and use habitat terminology operationally, so that the concepts are measurable and accurate. We must take the challenge to standardize terminology seriously, so that we can make meaningful statements to advance science.

/pdf/the-habitat-concept-and-a-plea-for-standard-terminology-7flom2tlk6.pdf

Wildlife Management Techniques Manual

The habitat concept and a plea for standard terminology

Crop loss to wildlife impedes local support for conservation efforts at Kibale National Park, Uganda. Systematic monitoring of crop loss to uwildlife (mammals larger than 3 kg) and livestock was con- ducted in six villages around Kibale over a 2-year period. Five wildlife species accounted for 85% of crop dam- age events: baboons, bushpigs, redtail monkeys, chimpanzees, and elephants. Marked variation in frequency and extent of damage is reported within villages, between villages, and between wildlife species. Fields lying within 500 m of the forest boundary lost 4- 7% of crops per season on average, but the distribution of damage was highly skewed such that maize and cassava fields were on occasion completely destroyed. Multivariate analysis was used to testpredictors of damage, including human population density, guarding, hunting, sight distance, and distance from the forest. Tests were performed at two levels of analysis, field and village. Dis- tance from the forest edge explained the greatest amount of variation in crop damage, although hunting also influenced the extent of crop damage. Elephants inflicted catastrophic damage to farms but their forays were rare and highly localized. Livestock caused considerable damage to crops butfarmers seldom complained be- cause they had institutionalized modes of restitution. Although most of the crop damage by wildlife is re- stricted to a narrow band offarmers living near the forest edge, risk perception among these farmers has been amplified by legalprohibitions on killing wild animals. Elevating local tolerance for wildlife will require diverse approaches, including channeling economic benefits to Kibale's neighbors and providing compensa- tion in limited cases.

methods

Predicting patterns of crop damage by wildlife around Kibale National Park, Uganda.

Note for ornithologists who plan to use drones or model aircraft to study or monitor birds in the United States: The Airborne Hunting Act may prohibit the use of drones to study or monitor wildlife in the United States, except for state and federal agency personnel or their agents (i.e., someone who is working under contract to or in collaboration with state or federal agencies) or under a permit issued by one of those agencies. However, the USFWS will not issue such permits and only four states allow the use of drones for research. The Ornithological Council has asked the Office of the Solicitor of the Department of the Interior to determine if the use of SUA to study wildlife is subject to the AHA. Anticipating that the Solicitor will determine that the AHA does apply, The Ornithological Council has also filed a petition for rulemaking asking the USFWS to issue permits. Read more on this situation on OrnithologyExchange.org.

/pdf/guidelines-to-the-use-of-wild-birds-in-research-nt8fr62toe.pdf

Guidelines to the use of wild birds in research

Native peoples have often been portrayed as natural conservationists, living in “harmony” with their environment. It is argued that this perspective is a result of an imprecise definition of conservation that emphasizes effects rather than actual behavior. Using foraging theory as a contrast, an operational definition of conservation is offered. Foraging theory assumes that foragers will behave to maximize their short-term harvesting rate. Hunting decisions that are costly in terms of short-term harvest rate maximization, yet increase the sustainability of the harvest are deemed conservation. Using this definition, alternative hypotheses are tested using data on the inter-specific prey choice decisions of a group of subsistence hunters, the Piro of Amazonian Peru. Results indicate that hunters do not show any restraint from harvesting species identified as vulnerable to over-hunting and local extinction. Decisions are made that are consistent with predictions of foraging theory.

Wildlife Management Techniques Manual

Citations

The habitat concept and a plea for standard terminology

Predicting patterns of crop damage by wildlife around Kibale National Park, Uganda.

Guidelines to the use of wild birds in research

Testing the “ecologically noble savage” hypothesis: Interspecific prey choice by Piro hunters of Amazonian Peru

Ecological extinction of native prey of a carnivore assemblage in Argentine Patagonia

Related Papers (5)

Wildlife Management Techniques

Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Mammals

Wildlife ecology and management

Research and Management Techniques for Wildlife and Habitats

The estimation of animal abundance and related parameters