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Why don't we ask? A complementary method for assessing the status of great apes
Erik Meijaard1, Kerrie Mengersen, Damayanti Buchori
1People and Nature Consulting International, Bali, Indonesia. emeijaard@pnc-int.com
Plos One
|April 13, 2011
Summary
Interview-based surveys offer a cost-effective method for species conservation research. This approach enhances understanding of poorly known populations and their threats, complementing traditional field methods for better conservation outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management
- Ecological Survey Methods
Background:
- Species conservation faces challenges due to immediate threats and the need for high-quality evidence, targeted actions, and adaptive management.
- Conservation effectiveness is hindered by incomplete understanding of ecological, political, socio-cultural, and economic factors underlying threats.
- Traditional conservation research often provides a limited view by focusing on a subset of these complex factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of interview-based surveys as a complementary method for species conservation research.
- To assess the methodological strengths and weaknesses of interview surveys in conservation contexts.
- To determine if interview surveys can provide robust data on poorly known species and their threats.
Main Methods:
- Conducted interviews with nearly 7,000 people across 687 villages in Kalimantan, Indonesia, focusing on orangutan conservation (Pongo spp.).
- Examined potential methodological issues including sampling, questionnaire design, respondent bias, and statistical analysis.
- Compared interview data with traditional ecological survey methods.
Main Results:
- Interview-based surveys are a cost-effective and statistically robust tool for studying poorly known species.
- These surveys provide reliable estimates of relative species presence and encounter rates.
- Quantified key socio-cultural and economic factors threatening species, complementing ecological data.
Conclusions:
- Interview surveys are a valuable addition to traditional field methods in conservation.
- Carefully designed and implemented interview surveys can significantly improve our understanding of conservation threats.
- Recommends broader adoption of interview surveys in conjunction with established field techniques for comprehensive conservation assessments.
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