Factors Affecting Mammalian Encounter Rates in Transect Surveys: a Case Study in Ilha Grande State Park, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A study on Ilha Grande State Park, Brazil, reveals that mammalian encounter rates during transect surveys are significantly influenced by animal activity periods, climate conditions, and transect location. Researchers found lower encounter rates in the northern part of the island, likely due to tourist interference and poaching pressure, which are linked to higher human densities. The study underscores the importance of considering these variables when estimating mammal population sizes using distance sampling techniques. Conducted between 2003 and 2005, the research involved 128 transects totaling 401.3 km and 382 hours, during which 163 individuals from nine mammalian species were recorded.

Pereira, B. C., Ferreguetti, Á. C., & Bergallo, H. G. (2017). FACTORS AFFECTING MAMMALIAN ENCOUNTER RATES IN TRANSECT SURVEYS: A CASE STUDY IN ILHA GRANDE STATE PARK, STATE OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL. Oecologia Australis, 21(04), 422–430. https://doi.org/10.4257/oeco.2017.2104.06