Using local ecological knowledge to monitor species populations and their threats

A novel approach combining semi-structured interviews, hunter diaries, and camera traps reveals that local ecological knowledge can effectively monitor bushmeat species populations and their threats in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon. The study demonstrates that interview-based occupancy analysis is a robust tool for detecting changes in species distribution and relative abundance, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional monitoring methods. Additionally, it assesses the accuracy of expert hunters' judgments, finding that perceived expertise correlates with more precise and accurate assessments of bushmeat species. This research highlights the potential of integrating local knowledge with scientific methods to improve conservation efforts, while also addressing biases and uncertainties in observational data.

Brittain, S. (2018). Using local ecological knowledge to monitor species populations and their threats. Proceedings of the 5th European Congress of Conservation Biology. https://doi.org/10.17011/conference/eccb2018/107717