Jachman, H., 1984. Status of the Mwabvi rhino (Diceros bicornis). Nyala 10 (2): 77-90, figs. 1-8, table 1
|
|
|
|
| |
| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - Malawi |
| Subject: |
Ecology - Census Methods |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
 |
|
Malawi, comparison of footprint and dropping census. Comments in relation to the footprint/droppings method, used during this survey, which can only be applied in areas with low rhino numbers. With higher rhino numbers, an alternative method may be applied. The procedure is as follows:
1. The area is sampled for footprint diameters and boli circumferences, using the transect method described in this paper, whereby the size of the actual grid (width between transacts) and the width of the actual transect determine the accuracy of the result.
2. Only those footprints should be used, where the difference between fore - and hindfeet can be determined and f calculated.
3. The data should be fed into a five-dimensional array of which the parameters are: latitude of datum (I), longitude of datum (II), forefoot diameter (III), f (IV) and bolus circumference (V).
4.The result is a number of five-dimensional clusters, equal to the number of rhino present in the area, where the cluster-size equals the approximate size of the home range. Cluster analysis can be executed with the BIOPAT computer program (Program system for Biological Pattern analysis, developed by P. Hogeweg and B. Hesper: Bioinformatics group, R. U. Utrecht, The Netherlands).
|
|
|
Status of the Mwabvi rhino (Diceros bicornis)
File available
details
Original text on this topic: