Estimating uncertainties and sources of error in population monitoring of the Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)RiS : 6188

Monitoring population dynamics of wild ungulates relies on accurate estimates of population size and vital rates. However, errors in population monitoring methods can be numerous (e.g. lack of repeated measurement, sampling time period, observer bias etc .) and in most studies they are not investigated, thus threatening the robustness of results (Pollock et al. 2002 ). In this master thesis I have the opportunity to analyze long-term population count data on sex-age structure from three Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) populations in the Ny-Ålesund area, Adventdalen and Reindalen-Colesdalen covering the time period from 1978/1979 till present. The main goal of this thesis is to use the existing and new data collected during field work i n 2013 on repeated population counts and Distance Sampling of the Svalbard reindeer to evaluate the uncertainties in population parameters and how they vary in space, time and with different sampling methods. To fulfill this aim, the following steps will be achieved: - Compile and combine the existing long term data series. - Repeat population summer counts in the Ny-Ålesund study area during summer 2013 - Estimate reindeer abundance by using Distance Sampling (Buckland et al. 2001) to compare with total population counts in the Ny-Ålesund study area. - Estimate uncertainty related to observer?s ability to correctly age and sex individual by participating in the monitoring survey in Reindalen where animals are marked for individual identification.