An improved method of microhabitat assessment relevant to predation risk

Glen, Al S., Sutherland, Duncan R. and Cruz, Jennyffer (2010) An improved method of microhabitat assessment relevant to predation risk. Ecological Research, 25 2: 311-314.


Author Glen, Al S.
Sutherland, Duncan R.
Cruz, Jennyffer
Title An improved method of microhabitat assessment relevant to predation risk
Journal name Ecological Research  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank C)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2010-03
Sub-type Article
Year available 2009
DOI 10.1007/s11284-009-0653-y
Volume number 25
Issue number 2
ISSN 0912-3814; 1440-1703
Start page 311
End page 314
Total pages 4
Place of publication Tokyo, Japan
Publisher Springer Japan
Collection year 2011
Language eng
Abstract Animals may select the microhabitats they use in response to a real or perceived risk of attack by visually hunting predators. However, to demonstrate this requires measuring visual cover at the microhabitat level, which can be labor-intensive and may require specialized equipment. Simpler methods lack repeatability, particularly when multiple observers are involved. We devised, and describe here, the quadrant cover method (QCM), which provides rapid, objective assessment of the degree of concealment that microhabitats provide from visual predators. Our method gives results that correlate strongly with those obtained using a conventional sight board, but requires less than 25% of the time. The method is highly repeatable, with negligible observer bias. The QCM is ideal in microhabitat studies in which the variable of interest is visual exposure to other animals such as predators. © The Ecological Society of Japan 2009.
Keyword Quadrant cover method
Microhabitat
Sight board
Spool-and-line tracking
Predation risk
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes Available online: 24 October 2009

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Official 2011 Collection
School of Agriculture and Food Sciences
 
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Created: Sun, 04 Apr 2010, 00:05:58 EST