A major challenge in conservation research is conducting a rapid assessment.

Conducting a Quick Appraisal

Conducting a quick appraisal is a significant problem in environmental science. Owing to inadequate data collection techniques, scientists have been unable to correct reliable knowledge on the distribution and diversity of species in different areas. Many surveys use point counts to estimate the precise number of species in a given area. The biggest drawback of this approach is that sampling animal, recording data, and analyzing data take a long time. O’Dea, N., Watson, J. E., and Whittaker (2004), on the other hand, describe the MacKinnon list technique as an important solution to data collection. This method helps to determine accurate species richness, estimation of the area surveyed, species abundance, and α-index diversity. In their study, O’Dea et al. (2004) find out that MacKinnon list provides accurate results compared to point counts. By understanding the effectiveness of MacKinnon list, scientists decide on how to apply it to the highly mobile species such as birds. This paper analyses the work by O’Dea et al. (2004) to provide a detailed discussion on the Mackinnon method.

Method

McKinnon list technique applies to studying distribution and diversity of avian species in different locations. The findings of the experiment are compared with the point counts to determine the one with the highest results. In this study, a focus is on the population of bird species in four regions identified as Gallon Jug, Belmopan, Cockscom and Punta Gorda.

Applying the Mackinnon Method

According to O’Dea et al. (2004), Mackinnon and Philips proposed the method in 1993 and classified it as a standard technique applicable for rapid assessment. The method only targeted birds, which mostly exist in groups. With this method, O’Dea et al. (2014) say that the first step is classifying all the species that have equal length. Then, unrecorded species are added to the total number, and a species accumulation curve plotted. Next, a new species is sampled from each habitat. In this experiment, the focus was on four regions. Therefore, after recording a particular number of species, a new record was prepared. Collection of data involves moving from area to the next. By comparison, point counts involve collecting and recording data at fixed stations. Thus, the distance of one station from another determines the particular location that is selected for collection of information. When using either of the methods, researchers have to spend only ten minutes within the area and avoid double counting the birds.

Diversity Index and Its Significance

A critical factor used to determine the accuracy of results is the diversity index. It refers to a measure used to determine the exact number of species presented in a selected region (Peet, 1975). The method helps to measure abundance and diversity. The indices occur in varied forms. The first one is variable species number. For instance, when targeted individuals belong to a particular group or species, then the maximum number of species. This method applies mostly when conducting a study in a community with an infinite number of organisms but with a predetermined percentage of the targeted species (Peet, 1975). The second indices involve a fixed species number that helps to determine the equal distribution of species and the associated richness (Peet, 1975). Thus, the approach demands a high sensitivity to the species sample because a slight variation could lead to a significant error. For instance, the diversity index for avian species found in the four regions shows that equitability only persists at Punta Gorda but fails to prevail at Gallon Jug. Similarly, Punta Gorda has a high number of cumulative species, which increases with an extension of the area of survey. In essence, determination of species richness and distribution using the Mackinnon list technique is primarily based on the diversity indices.

References

O’Dea, N., Watson, J. E., & Whittaker, R. J. (2004). Rapid assessment in conservation research: a critique of avifaunal assessment techniques illustrated by Ecuadorian and Madagascan case study data. Diversity and Distributions, 10(1), 55-63.

Peet, R. K. (1975). Relative diversity indices. Ecology, 56(2), 496-498.