Conservation implications of inaccurate estimation of cryptic population size: Inaccurate estimation of cryptic population size

Abstract

...Estimating population size is central to species‐oriented conservation and management. However, in spite of recent development in monitoring protocols, there are gaps in our ability to accurately and quickly estimate numbers of individuals present, especially for the cryptic and often non‐breeding components of structured vertebrate populations. Yet knowing the size and growth trajectory of all stage classes of a population is critical for species conservation. Here we use data from 2 years of non‐invasive genetic sample collection from the cryptic, non‐breeding component of an endangered bird of prey population to evaluate the impact of variability in population estimates on demographic models that underpin conservation efforts....