Comparing approaches to estimate feral horse population densities and structure

Synopsis

Feral horses are present in parts of Australia and can have significant ecological, economic, and social impacts on ecosystems. They can disrupt native plant communities by overgrazing and trampling, affect resource availability and competition dynamics, and represent a safety risk when they venture on to roads. This project will be conducted in eastern NSW and will involve an extensive camera-trap survey of a large forestry block where feral horses are known to occur. Data from these cameras will be used to estimate horse population density, determine population structure and centres of activity, and compare these data to similar estimates from an alternative method of midden counts and surveys. 

Aims

Estimate feral horse population densities and social structure using extensive camera-trap grid and midden surveys.

Student benefits

This project will involve significant fieldwork in setting up and servicing a camera grid, and conducting simultaneous midden surveys. You will gain experience in experimental design and developing and using monitoring techniques.

Through this project you will learn how to:

• Plan and conduct fieldwork in a remote and challenging field setting
• Set up, service, and maintain a camera trap survey grid
• Process camera-trap images using AI
• Wrangle large datasets
• Carry out statistical analyses (SECR, etc)
• Write a scientific paper
• Collaborate with conservation professionals on the ground

Supervisors: Dr Neil Jordan, Amelia Jeffery, Dr Benjamin Pitcher