Title
Monitoring the Recovery of Siamese Crocodiles in Wetlands of the Xe Champhone Ramsar Site, Savannakhet Province, Lao, PDR
Author(s)
Steven G. Platt
Published
2021
Abstract
Monitoring of animal populations is defined as the estimation of absolute or relative abundance for the purpose of drawing inferences about variation in abundance over time and/or space (Nichols and Karanth 2012). Unlike a survey which determines conditions at a single point in time, monitoring tracks changes over time, and if properly conducted, can determine if wildlife populations are increasing, decreasing or stable (Kremen et al. 1994). Such data are essential for establishing appropriate conservation objectives, evaluating the effectiveness of management interventions and policy decisions, assessing the impact of threats, and informing stakeholders (Hedges 2012). Most importantly, long-term monitoring can ultimately develop a body of empirical knowledge with the potential to improve the predictive capacity of managers to deal with novel situations, thereby increasing the effectiveness of conservation strategies (Hedges 2012). As such, population monitoring should be a key component of any long-term conservation plan (Kremen et al. 1994).
Developing effective methodologies for monitoring Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) populations in the Xe Champhone wetlands (now Xe Champhone Ramsar Site) was accorded high priority in the long-term recovery plan prepared by Wildlife Conservation for this flagship species (Hedemark et al. 2009; Platt 2012). Successful monitoring of Siamese crocodiles in the Xe Champhone wetlands will allow conservation actions to be assessed in an adaptive management context (e.g., Walters 1986). Ideally the methodology used by Village Conservation Teams (VCTs) should be relatively simple, inexpensive to implement, and yield an index of relative abundance that accurately reflects changes in crocodile populations over time. Herein I review and evaluate four potential methodologies (nocturnal spotlight counts, camera trapping, track and sign surveys, and nest counts) proposed for monitoring Siamese crocodile populations in the Xe Champhone wetlands (Platt et al. 2014), and make recommendations based on that assessment.
Full Citation
Platt, Steven G. (2021). Monitoring the Recovery of Siamese Crocodiles in Wetlands of the Xe Champhone Ramsar Site, Savannakhet Province, Lao, PDR. Vientiane, Lao PDR: Wildlife Conservation Society, Lao PDR, 1-16.
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