Type: journal article

Article abstract: Improving the efficiency of monitoring protocols prescribed by conservation plans can release typically limited funding for other management and conservation activities. We present an approach for optimizing protocols that considers the precision of parameter estimates, costs of implementation, and broader monitoring-program goals. In a case study of the Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), we compared the efficiency of pointcount surveys (with and without playbacks of vocalizations) and area-search surveys (with playbacks) for estimating site occupancy.