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Monitoring is not enough: on the need for a model-based approach to migratory bird management

January 1, 2000

Informed management requires information about system state and about effects of potential management actions on system state. Population monitoring can provide the needed information about system state, as well as information that can be used to investigate effects of management actions. Three methods for investigating effects of management on bird populations are (1) retrospective analysis, (2) formal experimentation and constrained-design studies, and (3) adaptive management. Retrospective analyses provide weak inferences, regardless of the quality of the monitoring data. The active use of monitoring data in experimental or constrained-design studies or in adaptive management is recommended. Under both approaches, learning occurs via the comparison of estimates from the monitoring program with predictions from competing management models.

Publication Year 2000
Title Monitoring is not enough: on the need for a model-based approach to migratory bird management
Authors J. D. Nichols
Publication Type Book Chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Index ID 5210987
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Patuxent Wildlife Research Center