It relies upon cooperation and synergism to obtain its goals. The Monitoring Working Group is part of this organization, and has been charged with devising and promoting appropriate methods for inventory and monitoring landbirds in the Americas. Membership in the group is open to anyone interested in its mission and who is willing to participate in its activities. Monitoring and inventory of bird populations provides the information necessary to set priorities for conservation and management action. Inventory is a one-time assessment of the population of the birds in an area, while monitoring is this process continued over time, between years, as populations change.
Data taken can include population size and composition, including demographic parameters.
Our objective was to determine methods for monitoring of all species of landbirds, both migratory and resident, in all habitats, from the arctic to the tropical rain forests. Not all methods are appropriate in all habitats, for all densities of birds, or for all species of birds. However, the methods that the Group has adopted are broadly applicable to most habitats and to most species. Monitoring of Landbirds Several aspects were covered in the Needs Assessment, especially in relation to North America. We describe the progress made in these areas.