A Nonmapping Technique for Studying Habitat Preferences

Summer Habitat Use by Mountain Sheep

“…Availability of various habitat components was determined by the non-mapping technique described by Marcum and Loftsgaarden (1980). I visited 385 random points on the study area and recorded the vegetative association, slope steepness, aspect, elevation, topographic position, and distance to escape terrain.…”

Riparian ecosystems and their management: Reconciling conflicting uses

“…(Andrew and Mosher 1982, Irwin and Peek 1983, Pierce and Peek 1984, Servheen 1983, Tilton and Willard 1982, Witmer and deCalesta 1983 as described by Marcum and Loftsgaarden (1980) or some type of mapping method (Collins et al 1978, Johnson and Montalbano 1984, Kaminski and Prince 1984, Lokemoen et al 1984, Maxon 1978, Pietz and Tester 1983 as described by Neu et al (1974) to determine relative availabilities of habitat categories. Those studies employing the mapping method frequently use a planimeter to determine the area of well defined habitat types delineated on a map or aerial photograph.…”

“…As previously mentioned, a drawback of the statistical procedure advocated by Marcum and Loftsgaarden (1980;Chi- Abstract.--The relative significance of riparian zones to breeding birds was documented at 6 elevations between 1,200 and 2,750 m in the Platte River drainage of the Colorado Front Range. Bird communities were inventoried during 1,440 lO-min surveys at points in riparian and upland vegetation on the 6 study areas during June 1981-1982.…”

“…Using this method, several habitat parameters can be handled simultaneously, whereas each parameter must be treated seperately using the mapping method (Marcum and Loftsgaarden 1980). The linear interval method of habitat characterization has the same advantages as the random point method, but has inherent qualities which make it a superior technique especially in riparian environments.…”

“…Since classification of habitat components can occur on the ground, it is possible to examine habitat parameters like those listed above, although only categorical variables can be considered when using the statistical methods promoted by Marcum and Loftsgaarden (1980;Chi-square test of homogeneity, Mendenhall 1971). Using this method, several habitat parameters can be handled simultaneously, whereas each parameter must be treated seperately using the mapping method (Marcum and Loftsgaarden 1980).…”