RT18: Large-scale atlas and census studies in conservation science

¹British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK, e-mail rgregory@bto.org;  ²Avian Demography Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa; ³School of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3083, Australia; ⁴SOVON Bird Census Work, The Netherlands, Rijksstraatweg 178, 6573 DG, Beek-Ubbergen, The Netherlands

Gregory, R.D., Harrison, J.A., Griffioen, P., & Hagemeijer, W.E.J. 1999. Large-scale atlas and census studies in conservation science. In: Adams, N.J. & Slotow, R.H. (eds) Proc. 22 Int. Ornithol. Congr., Durban: 3194. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa.

A range of extensive atlas and survey studies of birds exist across the globe with the shared purpose of measuring aspects of biodiversity. The initial task of such work is to identify the resource base of wildlife and subsequent tasks include identifying changes in population size or range and prioritising conservation actions. Such studies have adopted a variety of disparate methods. We intend to: (1) Review recent atlas/monitoring projects. (2) Review our shared experiences of survey design, sampling strategies and analysis, with a view to moving towards common standards. (3) Review the major conservation uses and messages that emerge from global monitoring. Atlas and survey designs will vary with species, scale, habitat, season, resources available, and with the questions being addressed, but a number of basic design principles must be satisfied for the studies to be effective. The discussion will include demonstrations of computer programs which enhance the presentation and interpretation of atlas data. With a move towards growing co-operation among countries in co-ordinating the surveillance of biodiversity it is timely to review progress in bird conservation science and consider future directions.