Ecological Census Techniques: A Handbook

The revised second edition of this bestselling text is still an invaluable aid for all those involved in field ecology and conservation.

Almost all ecological and conservation work involves carrying out a census or survey. This practically focused book describes how to plan a census, the practical details and shows with worked examples how to analyse the results. The first three chapters describe planning, sampling and the basic theory necessary for carrying out a census. In the subsequent chapters international experts describe the appropriate methods for counting plants, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. As many censuses also relate the results to environmental variability, there is a chapter explaining the main methods. Finally, there is a list of the most common mistakes encountered when carrying out a census.

On the first edition:
A major text covering the main techniques used by field ecologists to enumerate plants and animals. Methods of estimating population size for plants, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are all described. The book also shows how to measure environmental variables such as the weather, water chemistry and soil composition.

Preface; 1. Planning a research programme William J. Sutherland; 2. Principles of sampling Jeremy J. D. Greenwood and Robert A. Robinson; 3. General census methods Jeremy J. D. Greenwood and Robert A. Robinson; 4. Plants James M. Bullock; 5. Invertebrates Malcolm Ausden and Martin Drake; 6. Fish Isabelle M. Cote and Martin R. Perrow; 7. Amphibians Tim R. Halliday; 8. Reptiles Simon Blomberg and Richard Shine; 9. Birds David W. Gibbons and Richard D. Gregory; 10. Mammals Charles Krebs; 11. Environmental variables Jacquelyn C. Jones, John D. Reynolds and Dave Raffaelli; 12. The twenty commonest censusing sins William J. Sutherland; Index.

Praise for the first edition: 'There are too few books like this that help students to see the broad picture of census methods and yet warn them of the censusing sins listed in the last chapter of the book ! This book will assist university lecturers in teaching the methods essential to developing reliable databases for conservation and management, and for testing ecological theory.' Charles J. Krebs, Trends in Ecology and Evolution '! easy to read and with a full discussion of biases as well as usages there's every potential for this text to be an essential reader for ecology students (and staff!).' British Ecological Society, TEG News '!an excellent guide ! The book will be useful to ecologists at all levels.' Aslib Book Guide 'Well illustrated with line drawings, tables, graphs etcetera this book provides a comprehensive overview of the most important methods for those working on field studies in population and behavioural ecology - amateur and professional alike.' Bryan Sage, Countryside 'Anyone planning a census programme as part of a conservation monitoring project should consult this book.' Peter D. Moore, New Scientist '! a must for every student of ecology and should be used by every individual interested in counting organisms in the field. Researchers in population and behavioural ecology and those interested in conservation of species would find this book very useful.' J. P. S. Chauhan, International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 'A comprehensive handbook ! an excellent book for beginners and professionals alike.' M. Bonsall, Biologist

WILLIAM J. SUTHERLAND is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia.