Studie ter voorbereiding van het monitoren van de reewildpopulatiegrootte in zoniën: overzicht van bestaande methoden en hun toepasbaarheid in zoniën

This report gives an overview of the existing methods to asses the size of roe deer populations and/or to monitor changes in roe deer population densities. For each of the existing methods the advantages and disadvantages are described and the applicability of the method in ‘Zoniën’ (forest complex south of Brussels (Belgium)) is assessed.
The existing methods can be subdivided into two groups: methods that only provide a tool to detect changes in population densities or changes in the numbers of animals present, - the so called index methods – and methods providing the possibility to asses the ‘absolute’ population density.
For one of the index methods, being the use of a kilometre index, the practical aspects and possible pitfalls are described in more detail. Furthermore, we explain how the collected data should be treated in order to get reliable results.
Regarding the ‘absolute’ methods, two possible methods – distance sampling and pellet group counts – are highlighted. Both the technical aspects as the required conditions allowing their application are explained.
This report is the Dutch translation of a French report written by Wildlife & Man vzw, in collaboration with INBO, which was ordered by the ‘Brussels Instituut voor Milieubeheer’ (BIM) – Brussels authorities.
The Dutch translation was conducted by INBO and financed by the ‘Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos’ (Flemish authorities).