Proceedings of the First Symposium on Marsupials in New Zealand
Abstract
Abstract
The bait interference method of possum assessment put forward by Bamford (1970) has been tested in a range of areas and the simple model found inadequate. However if time is added as a variable such that:
Relative density = -1/i loge (1-f) × 100
where i is a time estimator
and f is the frequency of interference with bait stations, a stable estimate of relative density is obtained.
Sample design is strongly constrained by the method of baiting and other practical considerations. A number of problems may also arise in the design of the bait stations and choice of bait used.